Opinion: The APC has a lot to thank Gov. Fashola for

by Kazeem Popoola

Governor Fashola addressing the TFAA teamThere would have been no APC today without the performance of BRF

After the 2003 elections, it seemed that the ‘progressives’ as they called themselves of the South West region of Nigeria had lost it all to the deceits of OBJ. Just Lagos and Bola Tinubu was able to withstand the pressure of OBJ not to allow PDP and indeed, it’s a decision that Lagosians themselves have not regretted till date. He picked Fashola as his successor despite the fact that no one knew whom he was back then. Fashola went to the elections with Obanikoro and Jimi Agbaje and he won that very close election. Since then, there has been no looking back.

He has developed Lagos in a way and manner that even Asiwaju’s administration is often looked back at in terms on years and not achievements when compared to Fashola’s. After the election, Fasola was the only member of the newly formed Action Congress to win their elections. Indeed, it was conceived then that the party was just a South West and Lagos party. Fasola performed credibly well, that during his second term bid, no one even took up a serious challenge against him. People from other states saw what Lagos had become an wanted same for their states. But that was not just it, other candidates from some states had seen a political party with a good structure and a better plan to develop the states. They all opted for the ACN during the next elections. In neighboring Ogun, Oyo , Osun ( which was declared winner by a tribunal), Ekiti even as far as Edo, it was all the same. The developments in these states when the APC took over took a quantum leap and formed the basis for many other states seeking alternatives to the PDP. The ACN then merged with another force from the North, the CPC and the APC was born.

There would have been no APC today without the performance of BRF, and it is even so obvious the developments of Lagos that the President cannot hold some meetings without visiting Lagos. Indeed, a representative of the United states came in recently and opted for Lagos instead of Abuja because of some reasons best known to us. There is no sector that BRF has not developed in one way or another during his 8 year stint as governor. Indeed, many people now wished that there was a loop-hole where he can be allowed to serve another term. Eloquent in speech, articulate in points and much more in actions, there is no doubt that BRF has indeed performed more than credibly. I recently told someone, If Lagos was a country, and Nigeria is another one.. Lagos has performed more credibly than Nigeria in the last 8 years. If this country tackles electricity, waste management, security, and social welfare the ways BRF does, we will not be where we are today. He banned the use of Sirens, he does not pass dedicated bus lanes and even though he doesn’t drink agbo jedi like some other governor, his love for lagosians is still crystal clear by the sort of character he demonstrates. Imagine if the deadly Ebola virus came into Nigeria through another state, we will definitely not be here today. Nigeria will have been hit and will have more casualties than we had then.
I have not come here to try painting him as a saint, neither am I saying he is perfect. He had a choice, he could have chosen to not perform and rig the elections like many of his other governors did during their first terms, but he didn’t.

Truth is, this nation needs people like Fashola more than he needs us, after all, he has served as the best governor in this country for some time, it is in our collective interest to ensure that his legacies do not go to waste when he leaves office. If there happens to be a time where he runs for the office of the President, many people like me will not think twice before casting our votes for him ( Except of course, he is competing against me of course, LOL). The APC as a whole should be grateful to this gentleman, who has more times than many demonstrated what true leadership and service should mean.

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Kazeem tweets from @Don_Kazzy

 
Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

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