Voters in every state will come out to choose governors and legislators but somehow the country’s attention is focused on its
commercial capital, Lagos.
Lagos State has always been the crown jewel of Nigeria and ruling it is the ambition of the country’s major political parties.
However, this year’s race is a little more competitive than all the others before it because of the increased stakes.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost Nigeria’s Presidency and has now become the opposition party.
President Goodluck Jonathan lost the March 28 elections by over two million votes to All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
The PDP is determined to win Lagos this year as something of a consolation prize for its national loss.
The APC is however not ready to let go of the state because after 16 years under opposition rule, a Lagos aligned with the centre would be a dream come true.
There is no clearer sign of the stakes involved than the fact that President Jonathan and President-elect Buhari both paid visits to the state ahead of the polls.
Buhari said during his visit that Lagos is too important for the APC to lose while Jonathan held a closed-door meeting with PDP governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, former governorship aspirant, Musiliu Obanikoro and O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC) leader, Gani Adams.
It is not clear what was discussed in the meeting but it is safe to say that it had some connection with the polls.
The Lagos elections go far beyond the candidates, Agbaje and the APC’s Akinwunmi Ambode, who are just minor players in this political game.
Lagos PDP leader, Bode George made this clear when he said that he would take centre-stage in the “battle” for the state.
“I am here and I will be at the centre of operation. The battle is on and the people of Lagos want a change and we will ensure that we get it right,” George said during a recent interview.
The battle for control of Lagos is like the clash of the titans; it’s about supremacy and pride, power and glory.
The battle for the soul of Lagos begins today, April 11, 2015, and there can only be one winner.
– Pulse
