Encomium
More condemnations have continued to trail the choice of Lagos Commissioner for Finance, Ayo Gbeleyi as the adopted candidate by top echelon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the next governorship election in the state.
While some commentators have complained about his adoption, a group, the Aworis Youths United, has raised issues on his state of origin, claiming that he is not from Lagos.
“Ayo Gbeleyi is not from Lagos, he is from Igbesa in Ogun State. He has done enough in Lagos, he should take his service to his state of origin. We have more and equally qualified Lagos citizens for the exalted office.”
The group in a statement issued on Tuesday (January 14, 2014, and signed by its National President, Hakeem Salako, doubted the sincerity of those who are clamouring for the adoption of Gbeleyi as APC’s candidate in the state, considering several qualified candidates among Aworis. The group advised that the party should conduct a free and fair primary to determine a true and popular candidate.
“It is only a transparent primary election that can determine a popular candidate for that post. And if this is not done, the newly formed APC that is enjoying the sympathy of all and expected to fight for the cause of the common man may lose its credibility.”
The group urges the party echelon to quash any plan to adopt Gbeleyi and organise a free and fair primary election among candidates who are truly of Lagos origin.
The youths’ complaint came after the cry by contractors in Lagos State against the adoption of Ayo Gbeleyi as the gubernatorial candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2015 election.
The contractors, who craved anonymity, decried the spate at which agents of the commissioner allegedly demand and collect bribe on awarded contracts and commissioned projects around the state.
They alleged that Gbeleyi’s agents demand kickbacks between 10 and 20 per cent on every project, all in an effort to prosecute his gubernatorial ambition. He has also been accused by the Ministries Department and Agencies (MDAs) of stifling them of funds.
The contractors’ and staffers of the MDAs lamented that if the Finance Commissioner is adopted and given the ticket, his governorship will rubbish all the social infrastructure and lofty projects that have enjoyed critical acclaim and credited to successive administrations in the state.
