Many Lagosians were utterly disappointed on Friday morning
as they waited for more than five hours to listen and meet mind with Mr. Jimi
Agbaje, the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party standard bearer at the 28
February gubernatorial election, who was one of the invited panelists at the
2015 annual anniversary lecture series of a group, January 9
Collective, J9C.
 |
| Jimi Agbaje |
At the lecture held at Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, with the theme "2015 Polls: Beyond The Rhetorics of Credible Elections" Professor Anthony Kila, Professor of Political Anthropology
and International Director of Studies at the European Centre of Advanced and
Professional Studies (ECAPS) in Cambridge University, was the Key Note Speaker.
As the lecture progressed, Gbenga Adeyinka1st, the event
compere repeatedly announced that the aides of pharmacist turned politician had
assured that their principal will join in the programme with a seat conspicuously
reserved for him on the high table. But till the programme ended, Agbaje nor
his representative failed to show up. The PDP candidate was expected to share
his perspective on the germane topic of credible elections.
 |
| Akin Ambode |
However, his competitor and All Progressives Congress
standard bearer, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, was around to share his views and spoke on how best to achieve credible elections in Nigeria come February.
Bashorun Dele Momodu,
Ovation Publisher; Mrs. Ayo Obe, lawyer and rights advocate, Comrade Sina
Olugbemi, as well as Mr. Kelechi Nwosu, Lagos State Police Public Relations
Officer formed the co-panelists. Kadaria Ahmed, former editor, NEXT and host, Straight Talk With Kadaria was the moderator of the interactive session.
 |
| Seun Soyinka |
Elaborating on the
reason for this year’s theme, the group’s Captain, Mr. Seun Soyinka,
stated that with Nigeria at the verge of a general election, it was important
for stakeholders to discuss the ingredients of a free and fair election,
especially because it is at the very foundation of good governance and
Nigeria’s quest for rapid development.
He noted that January
9 Collective (J9C) believes that “if we are able to deliver on credible
elections and elect the right leaders, Nigeria will be on the march to
successfully taking its rightful place in the comity of nations.”
The January 9
Collective is a group of Nigerian professionals from different walks of life
whose unifying bond is the unwavering belief in Project Nigeria and an equal
passion to create the requisite awareness that will encourage and promote good
governance at all levels through constructive engagements.
Written by Funsho Arogundade
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