If you have seen enough action thrillers, you will be familiar with the phrase “this is not a drill,” it implies that serious business is about to begin, it is a time when rehearsals are over, kids’ gloves are off and the real deal is about to go down. Lagos is lucky, the city-state has always been a decisive bunch, carefully selecting the crop of leaders that govern her affairs. It is no surprise that the state has been on an upward trajectory since democracy returned to the country.
The state, blessed with intellectuals and leaders who pay attention to details and get things done, it was no surprise when Jide Sanwo-Olu was elected governor of the state. Sworn in on May 29, 2019, he had served as Governor as Commissioner for Establishments, Training, and Pensions in Lagos State before his election.
Since his election, Sanwo-Olu has focused on improving infrastructure, creating jobs, and promoting social and economic development in Lagos State. He has also made efforts to address issues of traffic congestion, insecurity, and environmental degradation in the state. A run-through of the robust achievement of the governor is in order:
Infrastructure development: Sanwo-Olu has focused on improving infrastructure in the state, including the construction and rehabilitation of roads, bridges, and flyovers. He has also empowered the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to address the issue of traffic congestion in the state.
Economic development: Sanwo-Olu has implemented policies to stimulate economic growth and create jobs in Lagos State. He has also promoted the development of the state’s creative and entertainment sectors, as well as its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Social development: Sanwo-Olu has introduced programs to improve access to education and healthcare in the state, including the establishment of a free health insurance scheme for indigent residents. He has also initiated programs to promote sports, arts, and culture in the state.
Environmental protection: Sanwo-Olu has implemented measures to address environmental degradation in Lagos State, including the establishment of a waste management agency and the implementation of a ban on plastic bags.
Security: Sanwo-Olu has made efforts to address issues of insecurity in Lagos State, including the improvement of the security trust fund and the deployment of security personnel to hotspot areas.
Due to the several areas that the governor has wrought exploits and the long line of achievement that the ruling party in the state, there is a severe shortage of opposition candidates in the state. For a number of years, the opposition parties have lined up a couple of politicians that have not measured up.
The crisis has come to a head in this election cycle with PDP Governorship candidate, Abdul-Azeez Adediran referred to as Jandor alongside his running mate, the popular actress, Funke Akindele whom most political speculators are saying was picked to infuse her popularity into driving the vote for the PDP has not been helping matters either. She is more focused on making new films and raking in her buck rather than campaigning to become deputy governor.
Perhaps the political experts at PDP Lagos state havebeen warned that if they do not replenish the supply of candidates, the election won’t be as fun because there won’t be as many wacky characters to make fun of.
However, this is not a drill, when you are up against a governor who is working and doesn’t need to go out of his way to win re-election, you would want to go about the campaign with a lot of tact and strategy, skillsets that Jandor and his running mate clearly lack or are unwilling to deploy in this election. As it stands, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be coasting home to victory come election day since he is only running against himself and the larger-than-modest achievement he has racked up.