2019 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION DEBATE

The Diocese of Lagos West in collaboration with other Dioceses in Lagos State engaged the governorship candidates of all the political parties in Lagos State to a debate on how they will run the State if elected. The event which was tagged “2019 Lagos Governorship Debate”, was held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, (AVMCC) GRA, Ikeja.

The debate, which began in 2007 is borne out of a desire to enlighten the electorate to make informed decision at the poll.

The Bishop Theologian of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion),  Rt. Revd. Prof. Dapo Asaju, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, was the moderator at the event which started at 10am prompt in the Cathedral.

The debate had in attendance 12 gubernatorial candidates for Lagos State.

The lord Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, The Rt. Revd. Dr. Olusola Odedeji in his opening remarks called on all agencies involved in the conduct of 2019 election to be impartial and God-fearing. In his words, “We seize this opportunity to call on all the agencies involved in the conduct of the elections to be God-fearing in discharging their responsibilities.”

“We call on the electoral commission, the security agencies, the media and civil society organisation to be fair to all and realize that they will give account of their stewardship one day to their creator.”

“Equally, candidates and political parties should realize that elections represent offer for service, therefore there should be no basis for the desperation that attends the exercise in Nigeria.

“The voters are kings; they reserve the right to choose whoever they want, and this should be readily accepted by losers,” Odedeji said.

He called on the voters to make wise decisions that would help them in moving Nigeria forward.

In his further remarks, he said, “We have embarked on sensitization and mobilization efforts toward educating our three million members on their rights and the right attitude and procedures to adopt…This will continue in our churches until the elections are concluded and results released; it is our own way of encouraging the emergence of the best leaders for Nigeria,”

Bishop Odedeji said that elections, being periodic, would always provide another opportunity for losers to have another shot at the polls, which could be their turn to win.

Hear him, “Nigeria is long due to join the League of Nations where elections are regarded as routine exercise and the country will not be shut down,”

The candidates present at the gubernatorial debate are Prince Awamaridi Ifagbemi (Labour Party);  Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi (Action Democratic Party); and Ven. Funsho Awe (National Conscience Party).

Others are, Mr Muyiwa Fafowora (African Democratic Congress); Dr Segun Musa (Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party); Mr Jimi Agbaje (Peoples Democratic Party);  Mr Ladipo Johnson (Alliance National Party);  Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu (All Progressives Congress); Mrs Adebisi Ogunsanya (Young Progressive Party); Mr Adetokunbo Pearse (Social Democratic Party); and Mr Owolabi Salis (Alliance for Democracy).

The lord Bishop of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. Dr. James Odedeji, earlier confirmed that 10 governorship candidates indicated willingness to take part in the debate. Letters were sent to all gubernatorial candidates but only 10 indicated intention to attend but 12 candidates eventually honoured the invitation.

The debate was for the governorship candidates of political parties that will participate in the election of March 2, 2019. The candidates told Lagosians about their plans on Security, Taxation, Corruption, Infrastructure, Indigenous issues, Religion and Politics as well as Local Government Administration.

Bishop Odedeji also said “We are doing this without support from any quarter. We neither solicited for, nor received any help, whether in form of financing or logistics. It is solely organised and funded by the Diocese of Lagos West, in collaboration with the Dioceses of Lagos, Badagry and Lagos Mainland.