STATEMENT FROM THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR By Gov. Babatunde Fashola. Posted By: Fajemirokun Ebenezer NOV 8,2013 ANAMBRA GUBER: APC RESOLVES TO ENSURE ACHIEVEMENT OF A NEW BEGINNING FOR A GREATER NIGERIA · Fashola advocates adherence to rule of law, fiscally, politically The All Progressives Congress (APC), Wednesday in Abuja resolved to ensure that a new and greater Nigerian Republic is achieved beginning with the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State. At a Dinner organized by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum in honour of the Party’s candidate for the November 16, 2013 Governorship election Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, speaker after speaker underscored the urgent need to salvage the sinking ship of the nation saying it is achievable on the platform of the Party. In his opening address at the occasion, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), advocated strict adherence to the rule of law both fiscally and politically as the only viable means to build a perfect Federal Republic arguing that those talking of a possible breakup of the country were doing so out of ignorance of the historical precedence and the repercussions of such an act. Governor Fashola, said instead of talking of a breakup, Nigerians should endeavour to perfect what they already have which, according to him, is the Republic adding that the APC, though new on the political scene was out to offer Nigerians a credible alternative in pursuit of a truer and better country. Noting that the challenge facing the nation today was not borne out of ethnic cleansing, terrorism or other social anomalies, Governor Fashola declared, “I stand here to proclaim that the problem facing Nigeria is as a result of our inability to build on our founding fathers’ efforts to build a more perfect union. By this, I mean that we should be perfecting something that has already developed and that is our Federal Republic”. He expressed dismay that although the nation’s founding fathers set out to achieve a perfect republic through making their regional public finances more sustainable, their economies more competitive and their balance sheets robust through regional productive endeavours, those following behind failed to build on such solid foundation. “Our country’s founding fathers have demonstrated the fiscal prowess in making their regional public finances more sustainable, their economies more competitive and their balance sheets robust through regional productive endeavours. In short, they had remarkable templates for their regional development which were in consonance with their God-given natural resources”, the Governor noted. He, however, expressed delight that with the entry of the APC into the nation’s political scene, the terrain was already changing adding, “Although we had set out to form a political party, we seem to have already achieved more than that. The APC is daily growing into a movement on a quest for a more perfect union for our country”. “It is also obvious, from the diversity of APC’s growing membership, that more clearly, we have taken cognizance of our ethnic diversity. Therefore, though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”, the Governor said adding that the occasion marked a new beginning for the country. Governor Fashola told his colleagues, “Tonight, therefore, with a lot of optimism in my heart, I welcome you all to a new beginning for our country. Yes, it is true that we are now at crossroads of some sort and some nay seers are predicting that our house would not stand much longer. Tonight, I welcome you to join us to prove the nay seers wrong. I welcome you to a night that herald a new dawn for our country”. “The APC Family believes that this Federal House will stand if we accept that real and present day situation is as a result of our neglect to improve on what we already have by insisting on a Federation governed by the rule of law fiscally and politically. This is important because more nations are a work in progress which is never fully done”, the Governor said. According to him, “The APC believes that the imperfections of our country are merely the imperfections of men and women and they can be made better by men and women who now come out in the APC”. Introducing the Party’s Candidate for the November 16, 2013 Governorship candidate for Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, Governor Fashola said he was the candidate going into the election carrying the banner of the APC and all that it stands for Nigerians adding that the candidate was going to fulfill the mission of the Party. Urging the Governors to support and contribute to the Candidate’s venture to enable him fulfill his mission, the Governor declared, “We are all stakeholders in our country. We need help and if we all do our best to preserve our Republic, this is where our children will also live”. The Governor paid glowing tribute to the leadership and membership of the APC pointing out that the dinner and other such occasions would have been impossible ‘without the patriotism of our leaders and members who believe resolutely that Nigeria remains more important than the totality of all our previous political flags, colours and symbols ‘. “Let me remind you that our journey tonight would not have been possible if we had listened to those who told us at the beginning that the merger of political parties never succeeded in Nigeria. We would not be here tonight without the patriotism of our leaders and members who believe resolutely that Nigeria remains more important than the totality of all our previous political flags, colours and symbols. “I salute their patriotism, because those flags and colours have now given way to the flag, symbols and colours of the APC. This has happened because they have decided to offer Nigerians a credible alternative to pursue a truer and better country”, Governor Fashola said. Earlier, in his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and first civilian Governor of Abia State, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, said the mission of APC in the political terrain of the country was to help Nigerians to realize the Nigerian dream, adding, ” By the Nigerian dream, all Nigerians will have to be mobilized to put in their best in everything that they do”. “When development is anchored on the principles of democracy, freedom, the rule of law, justice and equity, this will help us move our people from the valley of despair to the mountain top of progress, achievement and prosperity. This should be our clarion call as we prepare for our general elections in 2015 starting with the November 16 Governorship election in Anambra State”, the Chairman said. Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of Dr. Ngige as the Governorship candidate of the APC in the November 16 Governorship election in Anambra State by the National Chairman of the Party, Chief Bisi Akande who was assisted by other leaders of the Party including Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, Major General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) and APC Governors. Others who spoke at the occasion included, National leader of the Party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Head of State, Major General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd), Governor Rochas Okoroch of Imo State and the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. In his acceptance speech, Dr. Ngige noted the onerous task of being the Party’s Candidate in the election pointing out that it is the first major battle in the war which the Progressives in the country are waging against the feudalists in the bid to save Nigeria from total collapse. Thanking both the leadership and membership of the Party for making him their choice, Dr. Ngige declared, “Now, I am the General going into battle to secure victory and win Anambra State for the Progressives and I promise to deliver on this mission. By November 16, we shall be celebrating the victory all over Nigeria”. Also Present at the occasion was other APC governors including Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, his Ogun, Osun, Zamfara, Borno, Nassarawa, Edo and Oyo counterparts, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Mallam Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, Kassim Shettima, Tanko Almakura, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Abiola Ajumobi respectively, other political leaders, members and supporters of the APC. SIGNED: HAKEEM BELLO SPECIAL ADVISER ON MEDIA TO H.E NOVEMBER 08, 2013
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 13:21:15 +0000
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