Engr Adedeji Doherty
By Our Reporter
The Peoples Democratic Party Governorship ( PDP ) candidate for Lagos State, Engr Adedeji Doherty
advised the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) to avoid using local government councils as collation centrs, including the Local Council Development Areas, ( LCDA, ) most especially in Lagos States if they want to conduct general elections , not local government election. , as he also urge the commission to be fair. Doherty made this known at the airport on his arrival from the United States of America, ( USA ) when he was ambush by party faithfuls and newsmen.
Answering questions on his level of preparion for the forth coming election, the PDP Guber candidate for 2027 election said, the Presidential election will come up first and the party will focus on that, saying things will develop as the party moves along, they will be decisions and alignment and it’s going to be an interesting season he said.
Answering questions on his message to the electorate, he said they should take a critical look at all things and ask themselves, critical questions, if they want a change or not.if they want a new dawn or not., including a breath of fresh air or not, it’s strictly their decision he says.
He categorically stated that Lagos State has over 13 million registered voters, but only 2 million come out to vote. Why are we complaining, he asked. He urged electorate in the state to wake up, saying they don’t need to go clubbing on election eve, knowing fully well the outcome of such action.
He urged the youth of the state to stand up for their right and go out and be counted. Take part in governance he advised, because what happens today is what you are going to build your future on tomorrow because you are the leaders of tomorrow.
Speaking on some core areas he intends to intensifies on as governor of Lagos State, he cited power, affordable health and education amongst others. Doherty wants a situation where there will be power to boost the business of low income earners in the state. If they cannot afford band A or B, the state should should settle for disco, stay on the board, move the shooke off their neck and become equity participants in the state. Within 30 to 60 days, there will be reduction in the prices of electricity. . Same thing applies to the health sector . He says, 90% of the pharmaceutical companies are based in Lagos, a consistey round table discussion with the industry will also help reduce the cost of drugs. He says it is the job of the state to have regular meetings and come up with decisions that will be beneficial to all.
Answering questions on Chief Bode George declaring the National Working Committee ( NWC ) of the party illegal, he said the court has spoken and Bode George is not above the constitution. Speaking further, Doherty said, Bode George is not a member of the party, to start with, that him and his allies are all in Allied Peoples Movement ( APM. )
Speaking further, he said George specialises in saying negative things about the party and their members, disparaging and castigating them. That the Federal capital territory minister, Wike who has been at his very best, giving Abuja a total facelift from all ramificatiions via his various developments and projects has been the worst hitted ,severally by his criticism. He also stated that Bode George picks the right time to target those he feels are not his friends as he caterigorically stated that he is a man standing with God.
Doherty stated further that taken their age differences into consideration, that Bode George as an elder should consider him as his junior brother and support him instead of throwing dandruff.
Doherty who plans to run as one term governor if successful at the 2027 polls, says he will handover the affairs of the state to the youths, since he would be his seventies, he hence advised Bode George to emback on a successful retirement plan like his colleagues, political peers and contemporaries and play better roles towards national development rather than castigating him and fellow party faithfuls, saying it has become his trademark.
He however reiterated that he came from a linage where elders are well respected, hence will never insult Bode George, the former chieftain of PDP, whom he said remain suspended from the party since his values has expired.
Speaking about some reconciliation with some aggrieved members of the party, Doherty said, Turaki led fraction of the party are fraternizing with APM, let them go . Some members of the All Progressive Congress ( APC ) are coming to the party from various states. You don’t need extra efforts, look at my people, (referring to those of his party members, who came to welcome him at the airport, he said, once you have the people you can move from one party to another if you feel like. But l’ve never seen a leader saying if you don’t like it, get out of the party, Bode George himself should be the one to get out of the party.
Our national leader, Wike is showing the right leadership, showing that you can do it once you are given the right tools. . We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’ for believing in a member of PDP. in the person of Wike.
Doherty who has contested 5 times in over 20 years for the governorship ticket of Lagos State has been an unapologetic member of PDP for over 26 years
Doherty stated that his supporters in diaspora are ready and willing to collaborate with him, ensuring that things runs smoothly in Lagos State, having met them in Atlanta, Houston and the United kingdom. ( U K ). He however concluded by saying his trip was more of business and family than politics.
