Atiku: APC government has been telling lies — they didn’t develop Lagos

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the All Progressives Congress (APC) “has been telling lies” about developing Lagos state.

Abubakar spoke on Monday at the PDP presidential rally in Lagos.

Lagos was governed by an opposition party from 1999 when civilian rule replaced the military regime, until 2015 when the All Progressives Congress (APC) — a merger of three political parties — took over power from the PDP at the federal level.

Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos, is frequently credited by the APC with transforming the state into a modern city.

On September 4, the media office of Tinubu released a documentary detailing his achievements when he was the governor of Lagos from 1999 to 2007.

In the 30-minute documentary, Tinubu described himself as an “architect, a builder, and a developer bunched into one”.

Speaking at the Tafawa Balewa square on Monday, Abubakar said the federal government constructed a significant part of the major roads in the state.

“Fifty-three years ago, when I came to Lagos — in 1969 — there was only one old Carter bridge built by the Europeans — no second mainland bridge, no third mainland bridge, no Tafawa Balewa square. That was when I came to Lagos — all of you were not born then,” he said.

“I want to tell you, this is a fact — you can go and check. The federal government built the second mainland bridge, rebuilt the old carter bridge, built the third mainland bridge, rebuilt the Agege motor road, rebuilt the Ikorodu road, and all the major roads connecting the island and the mainland.

“The APC government has been telling you lies that they developed Lagos. They did not develop Lagos at all. They are lying to you.

“Therefore, it is time for you the people of Lagos to liberate yourself from a family government to the people’s government. And the people’s government is going to be led by Jandor (Olajide Adediran, Lagos PDP governorship candidate).

“On my own part, if you elect me as your president. I promise by the presence of God, I am going to set aside $10 billion so that we can empower our young men and women in small and medium enterprises.”

Abubakar also said he will raise the $10 billion by privatising the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries.

He said if elected president, he will restructure the country to ensure that more powers and resources are given to local governments and states.

“It is up to you to hold them responsible,” he said.

“Therefore, the people of Lagos, it is high time you take your destiny into your own hands for your own future, not for the future of one family,” he added.

“In the last 23 years, you have been governed by one family. It is your right and duty to take over that governance and hand over to yourself.”