Politics
LAND USE CHARGE: DIALOGUE WILL LEAD TO POSITIVE OUTCOME- AMBODE …Says Govt Always Sensitive, Responsive To Yearnings Of Lagosians
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday expressed optimism that the ongoing dialogue with various stakeholders on the new Land Use Charge Law would bring about a positive outcome in the overall interest of the people going forward.
He said the State Government would come out with a positive position to ameliorate the issues raised by stakeholders on the new Land Use Charge Law in the next one week, saying the increment was all in a bid to protect the future and create permanent prosperity for the State.
Governor Ambode, who was cornered by journalists after leading a symbolic walk against sexual and domestic violence in Alausa, said his administration was very sensitive and responsive to the yearnings of the people, and had met with various stakeholders in the last one week to explain the rationale behind the new law.
He said: “Just the way that you would have observed, we held a session with the business community last week on Lagos Means Business and one of the topical issues that were raised was about the Land Use Charge and during that session, I did say that the State Government was opened to dialogue. Ever since that Tuesday, we have been consulting people and we have also been trying to explain the basis of this Land Use Charge Law.”
The Governor said out of the 300 tax items in the State, only the Land Use Charge and one other law was reviewed upward, and that the development was targeted at fast-tracking development and protecting the future of the State.
“I want Lagosians to understand one particular issue. We have over 300 tax items for which nothing has been touched apart from this Land Use Charge and maybe one other. But again, we are a very responsive government; we are very sensitive because at the end of the day, governance is about the people; it is about what they want.
“Yes, people might like that infrastructural development is on the progressive chart in Lagos but also it comes with a price. But notwithstanding in the middle of all that, a responsive government will listen to the yearnings of her people.
“So, obviously when I say I want dialogue, I really mean it and I am ready to respond to that. In the last one week, we have been meeting different groups; we have been talking and we have been making people to understand also and I think by the end of this week, we should be able to come out with something positive that actually ameliorate the issues being raised by concerned stakeholders,” he said.
He said the ultimate goal of his administration was to create a framework to put the State on a sound pedestal for economic growth and prosperity, and as well secure the future of the State, but that something positive would be done to respond to the issues raised by the people.
“At the end of the day, it’s all for the development of Lagos. What this government is interested in is to create a trajectory and framework of permanent prosperity for Lagos. It is not about today, it is about the future and if there is going to be permanent prosperity in Lagos, some things have to be done but I can tell you based on the dialogue and the things we have been receiving, obviously we would respond positively to those yearnings,” Governor Ambode said.
SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
MARCH 12, 2018
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Welcomes Opposition Members to ADC in Lagos
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola welcomed a group of opposition members into the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State.
In his address, Aregbesola expressed his delight, stating, “I’m thrilled to welcome you to our great party, ADC. When like-minded individuals come together, they drive progress.”
Aregbesola emphasized the party’s coalition goal, “Our mission is to lead Nigeria to the promised land by 2027, with God’s guidance.”
He extended a warm welcome to the new members and anticipated more to join.
Politics
Bye-Elections: APC Group Hails Deputy Senate President Barau for Kano Landslide Victory, Transformative Leadership
Bye-Elections: APC Group Hails Deputy Senate President Barau for Kano Landslide Victory, Transformative Leadership
The APC Vanguard has hailed Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin for orchestrating a resounding victory in the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency bye-election, cementing his status as the preeminent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
In a press statement signed by President Comrade Dan Yusuf, the group praised Barau’s “unparalleled political mastery, visionary stewardship, and relentless dedication,” which secured a landslide win for APC candidate Garba Ya’u Gwarmai.
Recall that the APC candidate clinched 31,472 votes against the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s (NNPP) Yusuf Ali Maigado, who polled 27,931 votes, as declared by INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Muhammad Waziri of Bayero University.
Since assuming the role of Deputy Senate President, the highest-ranking official from Kano, the group said Barau has transformed the state’s political landscape, drawing thousands of rival supporters and leaders from the ruling NNPP and other political parties.
The Vanguard emphasised that this wave of defections is not mere politicking but proof of Barau’s “exceptional performance, magnetic leadership, and ability to inspire trust and unity across divides.”
“Barau’s strategic brilliance has dismantled the NNPP’s entrenched political machinery, proving that the APC, under his guidance, is an unstoppable force,” Yusuf added.
“This emphatic victory underscores Senator Barau’s ability to galvanise grassroots support, as evidenced by the massive turnout at the electrifying campaign rally he led in Kano North Senatorial District.
“His message of progress, unity, and alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s transformative agenda resonated powerfully, mobilising voters and redefining the state’s political dynamics.
“Senator Barau’s leadership transcends electoral success; it is a movement that has sparked a wave of defections, with thousands of opposition supporters and leaders joining the APC, inspired by his track record of integrity, delivery, and inclusive governance.
“His ability to unite diverse stakeholders and convert rivals into allies highlights his exceptional statesmanship, making him a beacon of hope for Kano and Nigeria at large.”
The group noted that Barau’s leadership transcends electoral success, describing it as a movement driven by integrity, inclusive governance, and a commitment to progress, security, and prosperity.
According to Danladi, his ability to convert opposition figures into APC allies has positioned him as a beacon of hope for Kano and Nigeria, setting a strong foundation for the party’s ambitions in the 2027 general elections.
“We applaud INEC for upholding transparency and credibility in the electoral process, ensuring the people’s will prevailed despite challenges,” Yusuf stated.
“The APC Vanguard calls on all members, supporters, and Nigerians to rally behind Senator Barau’s dynamic leadership as we build toward a sweeping victory in 2027.
“His superlative performance has solidified Kano as an APC stronghold, setting the stage for the party to dominate the national political landscape.
“Let this historic win serve as a clarion call to all Nigerians: with leaders like Senator Barau steering the APC, we are forging a future of unity, development, and unparalleled progress.
“The APC Vanguard stands firmly behind our Deputy Senate President, confident that his transformative leadership will continue to inspire and deliver for Kano, the North, and the entire nation.”
Politics
Zamfara: Matawalle’s Former Adviser Defeats Governor Dauda Lawal’s PDP in Resounding Bye-Election Victory
Zamfara: Matawalle’s Former Adviser Defeats Governor Dauda Lawal’s PDP in Resounding Bye-Election Victory
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Kamilu Sa’idu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Kaura-Namoda South State Constituency bye-election, delivering a crushing blow to Governor Dauda Lawal’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Returning Officer, Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University Gusau, announced that Sa’idu polled 1,181 votes in the supplementary election, defeating PDP’s Muhammad Lawal Kurya, who scored 194 votes.
Across the constituency, the APC secured 8,182 votes, while the PDP managed 5,544.
“Kamilu Sa’idu of the APC, having scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Sa’adu stated.
The supplementary election, conducted in Sakajiki (two polling units) and Kyambarawa (three polling units), followed an inconclusive by-election last Saturday at the Kasuwar Daji collation center.
The rerun was necessitated as the initial margin of 1,662 votes between the leading candidates was less than the 3,265 Permanent Voter Cards collected in the affected polling units.
Sa’idu, a former Special Adviser to ex-Governor Bello Matawalle, will now represent Kaura-Namoda South in the Zamfara State House of Assembly.
His victory is seen as a direct rebuke of Governor Lawal’s administration, which has been plagued by allegations of incompetence and escalating insecurity since 2023.
Despite Lawal’s claims of a guaranteed PDP victory, the results exposed his administration’s waning influence.
Reports indicate that Lawal deployed state-backed Zamfara Vigilante operatives to polling units, defying federal warnings against such tactics.
These efforts to intimidate voters and manipulate the process were resoundingly rejected by the electorate, who delivered a decisive mandate to the APC.
Lawal’s last-ditch campaign efforts, including two weeks of intense mobilization and accusations against the APC and his predecessors, fell flat.
The bye-election marks a historic low for Lawal, the first Zamfara governor to lose a bye-election, with the PDP securing only six wards.
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