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Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has responded to President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration that his generation has failed, saying he should take responsibility for the failure of his administration, rather than link such with his generation.
At the meeting in the Blue Roof Hall, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the union members drummed support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.
The President, in his speech at the launch of his campaign in Lagos last week, said his generation had failed.
But Fashola said he belonged to the same generation that Jonathan was referring to, albeit unlike the President, his administration did not fail but performed creditably well.
“He is in his 50s, I am also in my 50s but I don’t even want to join that generation because my own generation has not failed, I have done well on my job and I am proud to say so. If he has failed, let him account for himself, he should not join us.”
He said the issues that would form the basis of debate for the elections would be how well the citizens have fared under the present administration.
The governor said he was pained about the situation in the Northeast where citizens have become “refugees” in their country, due to the inability of the government to tame insurgency.
Citing an example of the Paris terrorist attack, where 12 persons were killed, he said: “By midnight, they had deployed 80,000 troops, locked down Paris, they entered the forest. Our President could not lead our trained and competent military, give them direction to enter Sambisa forest. And in 24 hours, they had killed three of the terrorists and declared one wanted and they had identified all of them.
“Instead of telling you how he plans to secure the nation, our president was telling you they tried to kill him four years ago and we did not know.
“That is a serious national security issue because nobody wants our commander in chief dead. If anybody tries to kill him, we should have known. And if I was commander in chief, and the person who tries to kill me is in a South African jail, I will ask that he should be repatriated to Nigeria to come and face punishment.”
Fashola accused Jonathan of looking for sympathy votes ahead of the presidential election.
“In 2011, it was no shoes, now he is saying they tried to kill him, it won’t work this time. This time it is the job record, the promise that you must look at.”
Earlier, heads of the various transport associations took turns to endorse Ambode who was present with his running mate, Mrs. Idiat Adebule.
NURTW Chairman Tajudeen Agbede assured that the unions will work for the success of the APC candidate to ensure continuity in government.
Ambode assured the transport workers of his commitment to continue the strides of Governor Fashola, if voted into office.
He assured them of greater recognition in government if voted in, adding that his government will build on already existing structure established by his predecessor and also establish new ones to improve the standard of living of the people.
“We assure you that we’ll take you to the next level that will touch your life, and we promise to give you greater recognition in government if voted in.”
He said emphasis will be placed on technical and vocational programmes considering that the sector is being occupied by foreigners.
“We are looking for qualified bricklayers, mechanics and technicians, because in these areas foreigners have taken over our jobs, but we will make it possible for artisans to have dignity in their labour.”