Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has asked all residents of Lagos state to go out and collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the 2019 general elections which he said will determine the real population of the state in the country.
The governor said: “the coming election is a different one. We want to define once and for all where the population of Nigeria lies. So, it is not just about APC or the PDP.”
Governor Ambode who spoke at a meeting he addressed in Apapa alongside the Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule; Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello and Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, among others reminded the residents that failing “to participate in our civic obligation is the long result the shortchanging of the resources that is distributed across Nigeria.”
Ambode said that the 2019 election “is fast approaching, we will nonetheless complete all ongoing projects in the state and continue to ensure that all residents enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“It is not just about other political parties or individuals that are not interested in the state. We want to use our PVCs to send a strong message that the real population of Nigeria is in Lagos State. It is time we realise that before any census in the country, there is one census.
“This is the census of votes. This is the census of the PVCs. So, it becomes a finality that the real population is in Lagos State. That is why we must encourage everyone to go door-to-door or house-to-house, in various groups and unions to ensure that our people go and get our PVC.
“This is because each time we make our own state to look good, other people are coming in and also putting pressure on it for us. That is why we are having too much pressure on our health facilities, our schools and other facilities that we have arranged.
“Because we have refused to participate in our civic obligations, the long result is the shortchanging of the resources that is distributed across Nigeria. I appeal to all Lagos residents and all party leaders that this mobilization for the PVC has a longer reach than what you think.”
The governor assured Lagosians that his administration would spare no effort that Lagos remains safe, clean and prosperous, noting that the prosperity of Lagos would automatically translate to greater prosperity for Nigeria.
Ambode explained that the prosperity of Lagos State “is on a positive trajectory. We believe strongly in it. It is our vision and our mission. Nobody is going to stop it. If we secure the prosperity of Lagos, we have secured the prosperity of Nigeria”.
“Everything that we need to do to ensure that every Lagos resident has something to do is what this government is committed to do.
“We will use everything within our reach to ensure that Lagos remains safe, clean and prosperous. Continue to fulfill your obligations and we would do more because that is how Lagos stands to grow.”
