The People's
Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Lagos, Mr Jimi Agbaje
displayed his poor understanding of governance, inexperience and lack of ideas
to improve the lot of Lagosians at an interview on Channels Television. At
best, Agbaje succeeded in convincing viewers that he actually does not have a
plan to solve the problems he says Lagosians are faced with. He was at his
evasive best during an interview session on a Channels TV programme, Straight
Talk With Kadaria.
The interview
seemingly went on well until Mr. Agbaje was asked to clear the air as regards
the irregularities and rigging issues that surrounded his emergence from the
PDP primary elections. After all attempts to evade the question Agbaje ended up
with an unconvincing retort. He fumbled further by giving bland answers when
questioned about his plans and programmes for Lagos state, answers that were
far short of bold.
The PDP guber
candidate infuriated a majority of the viewers by defending the incumbent
government at the centre based merely on ethnic sentiments, saying that the
South-south deserves another 4 years of rule insinuating that people of the
area do not shut down the economy if Jonathan does not win. He unable to mention an achievement of the
present administration and goofed
further by when trying give excuses in support of the PDP as regards the Boko Haram
situation.
The aspect
that would be most worrisome to Lagosians was his inability to proffer
articulate programmes and plans for Lagos. For someone who claims to have bold ides
he came across as lame and lacking in ideas and experience. He kept on evading
direct questions and rather than sell his own ideas ended up promoting the work
of the incumbent APC government.
The interview
laid credence to the APC's call for voters to vote for experience. Agbaje
showed that he did not have a grasp of how government works.
The social
media immediately went agog with reactions to the interview. Most people
expressed disappointment and disaffection at the discordant and inexperience-laden
responses given by Agbaje. One of such comments on a popular blog stated that,
"I watched Jimi Agbaje interview on channels tv tonight and I was baffled
by some of his words. He said and I quote "For the unity of Nigerians the
south-south (Jonathan area) should have 4 more years". So it is not about
competence again? He also said as a politician his job is to tell people to
vote and not refrain from crisis. This Agbaje is one useless man who can not be
allowed to govern Lagos state. Let us vote wisely."
Instead of
informing Lagosians about his reasons for running as a governor, he was busy
making threat-like statements possible of inciting violence among the
unsuspecting electorates.
Mr. Agbaje,
actually tried his eloquent best to enumerate his plans for the state at
different points during the interview, but the fact that they lacked convincing
content further confirmed the truth that governance is not just about
elementary eloquence, but about experience, tested expertise and convincing capabilities.
The APC
governorship aspirant, Akinwunmi Ambode was right when he called him an intern
in the last debate hosted by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry. See link
to the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wDqIMiB4JI&feature=youtu.be
