* Transporters root for Fashola

By Olasunkanmi Akoni

In a  threat alert, the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, said he has uncovered a plot by  some known people to eliminate him. He, however, said he  is not afraid to lose his life in the course of achieving  democratic freedom for the country even as Governor Babatunde Fashola, the governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, assured the people  of more developmental projects.

This came as a coalition of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the organised labour, led by the state chairman of the road workers, Alhaji Rafiu Akanni Olohunwa,  stormed the streets of Lagos  in support of  Fashola’s  second term  ahead of the April 16 gubernatorial  poll.

Tinubu and Fashola spoke at the ACN  rally in Ikeja,  saying better  days are  ahead for Nigerians. Tinubu urged the people  not to be intimidated by forces he said are inimical to the development of the country’s hard earned democracy.

The ACN chieftain declared  that series of nocturnal meetings were being  held somewhere in Lagos Island on how to eliminate him.

Tinubu  lamented that at  a time ACN  is campaigning all over the state addressing issues , the other parties are perfecting how to rig the elections , warning that such action could result in chaos.

He  urged the electorate to vote for Fashola, stressing that he remains the best man for the job and that a vote for him amounts to an  attempt  to renew the future of Nigeria.

Tinubu begged the electorate to vote during the poll and defend their votes. He  added  that the party is not into alliance with any party as widely speculated.

Addressing the mammoth crowd at the Ikeja rally, Fashola assured the people of his administration’s resolve to construct more roads in the state. The governor added  that the economic prosperity of any nation depends on good infrastructure.

He  carpeted the recently passed budget of the Federal Government, saying the budget will not bring about the expected rapid infrastructural development.

Fashola  said 77 per cent of the N4 trillion signed into law has been allocated for recurrent expenditure leaving only 25 percent for capital expenditure.

“Out of the N4 trillion, 77 percent is for shop. Only 25 percent is for capital expenditure”, he said and wondered how the small percentage can bring about good road, electricity and other social infrastructures. He explained that the problem is further exacerbated by  delay in the passage especially, coming out at a time that rainy season has commenced.

Fashola said his ACN government has already commenced working based on earlier passage of the state’s budget, pointing out  that in the past four years, his government has been able to work on 19 roads, bringing 17 to completion. He said the state has embarked on 16 drainage projects including canals. According to him,  his government has delivered on promises made to the electorate.

He promised to  run an inclusive government devoid of discrimination and called on the electorate  to vote for performance and not on tribal and religious sentiments.

In another development, the coalition precisely started the solidarity march in support of Fashola’s second-term bid at about 9.30 a.m, singing various songs of solidarity for the ACN and walking tirelessly from the Tafawa Balewa Square, through Apogbon and ended up in the state secretariat in Alausa.