Learn acts of governance from Lagos, Tinubu advises Akala

By Ola Ajayi
FORMER Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has advised the Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala to learn the acts of governance from Lagos State by providing quality health care delivery for the residents of his state.

The former governor spoke at the handing over to the Omi community a cottage hospital donated by a legal icon, Chief Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, at Omi-Adio, Ibadan.

Tinubu also tasked President Goodluck Jonathan that counting of votes alone would not ensure credible election but having a reliable data, accountable and transparent ballot system.

While commending Chief Akintola for being so thoughtful, he said it was pathetic that not a single hospital was found within a 20 kilometre radius in the Apata-Omi areas of Ibadan metropolis.

He also used the forum to repose confidence in the new Chairman, Independent National Electoral  Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

Tinubu said: “I’m sure Prof. Attahiru Jega will live up to his words. He made the promise of free and fair election, he solicited the collaboration and co-operation of everybody. Jega has a good pedigree and good reputation. He will want to live that legacy of giving Nigeria free and fair election provided he starts with fresh voters’ register.

“The  pedigree of any credible election will depend upon a reliable data that will generate the voter register that would be used to vote. The president himself spoke from Canada that they will count the ballot on the spot. I question the President in this way. I know he Is genuine.

But, if you have 300,000 registered voters and only 30 people are able to vote, you will count only 30. It’s a failure.  The counting of the votes alone will not do the job but in having a reliable data, accountable ballot system and transparent. No transfer of ballot papers, being able to reconcile the number of registered voters with the number of ballot papers used in a particular polling booth. It has to be complete, holistic and genuine manner. Jega alone cannot do the job. All these must happen. The opposite is dangerous.”

On the lack of facilities in Oyo State, he said: “I have done the surveying of about 20 metres radius, there is no community health centre that can cater for the people. I call on the Oyo State Government to do better than the hospital provided by Chief Akintola. We will soon send them away. If we are doing it in Lagos, we should be able to do it here. There is no local government without a hospital in Lagos. There is no area within 10 miles radius without equipped ambulance. The ambulances are well equipped like those in America and England. Start somewhere. If they are not listening to you, tell them with your votes. If you don’t, you will continue with your suffering.”

Earlier, the former CJN, Hon. Justice Uwais, commended Akintola’s philanthropic gestures, which he said, had transcended the law practice.

Dignitaries on the occasion included retired Justice Muhammadu Uwais, first female Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Folake Solanke,  President of Nigeria br Association, Mr. Rotimi AkeredoluSAN), former President, NBA, Chief Wole Olanipekun, Chief Lateef Fagbemi(SAN) and many others.