Press Releases

Let Us Play By The Electoral Rules, Says Fashola
• As he joins Obanikoro, others to honour Dosunmu at 70

May 14, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Thursday stressed the need to adhere to the rule of the electoral process in the country as the most viable means of effecting reforms in the nation’s electoral system.

Governor Fashola who spoke at a book presentation to mark the 70th birthday of Senator Wahab Dosunmu, said the reforms the country truly needs are reforms that will enable people realize that rules are made to be obeyed adding that reforms should raise such questions as who were in charge of the electoral process when electoral frauds and irregularities were being perpetrated.

Governor Fashola, who arrived the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island venue of the occasion at the middle of the welcome address by the chairman of the occasion Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, hugged Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, one of his opponents at the April 2007 Gubernatorial election in the State. The embrace elicited loud cheers from the audience in the jam-packed hall.

According to the Governor, “The reforms that we truly need are reforms that people will realize that rules must be obeyed. Reforms should be able to ask questions”, pointing out that the true reform should call to question those who were manning the various polling booths as well as those responsible for security of the ballot boxes where the electoral fraud and irregularities were found to have been committed.

Arguing against the idea of changing the rules as a means of checking electoral fraud and irregularities, Governor Fashola declared, “Each time we change the rules, we give license to those who break those rules”, adding that instead of changing the rules, the more effective thing to do was to insist on compliance.

“It is remarkable that the people of Lagos have always played by the rules knowing that election is not a do-or-die affair”, the Governor said adding that this has manifested in the way Lagos has always tried to present its first eleven.

Referring to Lagos as an orphan State which is not getting what it deserves from the central government in terms of representation, Governor Fashola said the only way the people could move forward was to stick together and not allow themselves be divided by people who are not interested in the development of the State.

The Governor commended the celebrant for his leadership qualities of service and responsibility to the people saying the celebration underscored the importance of resuscitation of voluntary organizations for the building of character among the youth who would be leaders of tomorrow.

He attributed the capacity audience that turned out for the celebration to the leadership qualities and virtues of the celebrant noting that it was one of the few times he has seen the hall filled to capacity.

Governor Fashola also commended the book which he described as a worthy legacy to be left for the up-coming generation, expressing joy that the old generation is thinking it wise to pass on the touch to the up-coming generation.

He said the celebrant deserves all the honour he was being given, adding that the large turnout of people at the occasion was a reflection of the celebrant’s goodwill which he earned as a result of the way he touched lives while in service.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, chairman of the occasion, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye said the celebrant who, according to him is six years his junior, deserves all the honour he is being given pointing out that the celebrant has come a long way in his responsibility to the people.

He described Senator Dosunmu as a man who has combined intellect with humility and simplicity. “He never raised his voice in any argument but he was one of the most articulate senators of our time”, the Chairman said.

Also while reviewing the book, Bashorun J.K. Randle, the Reviewer, as controversial by virtue of the many dormant and controversial issues which the book has brought to life.

Going down memory lane, the reviewer recalled the many escapades which they all went through with the writer as young people growing up in Lagos in those days pointing out that the acronym Area Boys in their generation indicated people who gave service and responsibility to the community.

Also present at the occasion included the former deputy governor of the State Dr. Femi Pedro, the gubernatorial candidate of the DPA in the 2007 Governorship election in the State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Secretary to the State Government, Princess Aderinle Ogunsanya, former military governor of Lagos State Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd) among many other dignitaries and top government functionaries.