Doyin Johnson is a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos with an impressive trackrecord of party activities. He is aspiring to represent the people of Kosofe constituency II at the State House of Assembly, filling the seat left vacant at the demise of Tunde Buraimoh. He spoke with the editorial team of GidiNews on his ambition, the state of democracy in Lagos, Asiwaju Tinubu and others in the race for the KosofeII seat at the assembly.
Excerpts
Whats your assesment of democracy in Lagos, since 1999?
Johnson: Democratic system of government is the best because it is the government of the people by the people and for the people. Lagos State democratic setting has human face, where the government and political leadership take people into 1st consideration. I must tell you Lagos is growing with highly level of developmental projects from all sectors of the economy.
How would you describe the single party system which seems to be what Lagos has practiced since the start of the 4th republic?
JOHNSON: Single party system? I can not understand your means by that , you should talk of single party system likes of when Late General Sanni Abacha forced all the political parties in Nigeria to adopted him as only and singular presidential candidate, but Lagos is not as you claimed, since 1998 all the available registered political parties contested all Elections but because of highly level of developments Lagosians prefer the progressive party to be in charge of Lagos State despite all the intimidations from the federal government then Lagosians stood by then Alliance for Democracy (AD) 2003, Likewise Action Congress (AC) because Lagos is the center of excellence where other states came to under studied our Taxation system, Waste Management, Signage and lot of our developmental projects that made Lagos the best, I must tell you, I am proud to be a member of progressive linage of Late Obafemi Awolowo.
Would you say the people of Lagos have really enjoyed dividends of democracy based on what has been invested in it, these past years?
JOHNSON: You are a very funny. it is a known fact that Lagos State government pay the WAEC fees of all Lagos State Senior Secondary School students no matter your tribe or background, once you are a student of Lagos public school it is settle,with that no family in Lagos State that can claim that they have not benefits from Lagos State Government, likewise renovations and construction of schools, road constructions, upgrades, what about LSETF Loan for business women and men from 500,000 to 5million Naira on 5% interest rate in 1year. Even the opposition parties knows that Lagos State Government led by Senator Bola Tinubu has done excellently well and the linage follows up to Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu the real progressives are in place here in Lagos State.
Unlike other states of the federation, Lagos seems to be enjoying a cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature. Why don you think this is so? Dont you think its antithetical to the development of democracy if everything sails through with the state assembly without asking questions?
JOHNSON: No No No, don’t say everything go easily in the Lagos Assembly, it is not as you presented it. When the executive have the competent hands to handle the preparations of budgets and others without discrepancies it is a settle case, can legislators query a perfect job and presentation? No, it has to do with knowing the job and doing the right thing, that does not means that Lagos Assembly don’t have some little little amendment, corrections and advise but it is of very minimal percentage, I think our Africans mentality is for the. Legislatives and Executives face off make a good democratic government, you see Lagos is not like that because we have round pegs in round holes that makes Lagos peaceful.
You holds an MBA and as such youre deemed as an entreprise management expert. What would you say is the best way to promote entreprise in Lagos, helpung businesses grow etc
JOHNSON: I have told you earlier that Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) was set up by Lagos State Government to help business grow in Lagos State where people can talked loan at 5percent interest rate per annum range from 500,000 up to 5 Million naira. No state government has done that meanwhile Lagos State Government has started this since 2016 and still in progress my brother Lagos is good to go Also I do give free business advise and counseling to my followers and others who deem fit free of charge Also encourage them to go into self employment and wealth creation with good supervision when necessary.
Two prominent politicians died in quick succession in Lagos. One is Senator Bayo Osinowo and the other, Hon Tunde Buraimoh. This is a great loss, no doubt. What will Lagos miss about these two men?
JOHNSON: Hummm, can you please observe a minute sillence with me? may the gentle souls of departed rest in peace . I must tell you the 2 late leaders are erudite of good leadership, the two departed souls are from my Local Government, I was close to the two of them, they were my political leaders Senator Oshinowo was a talking drum when I say talking drum a man full of multiple talents every moments I spent with him was of great lesson, no matter how dull your brain is if you are privilege to seat with senator Oshinowo when he was alive you must learn something good about life, leadership, kindness and Words of God. Hon. Tunde Braimoh was a fully loaded orator who can talk from morning tonight and the event will never get bored. He was cheerful giver, a man with heart of gold both of them were great mobilisers I must tell you Lagos really lost great men the loyal foot-soldiers captains of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu but who are we to question God. May the gentle soul of departed rest in peace AMEN.
Soon, there will be a need to replace these men both at the state and federal level. What should Lagos look forward to?
JOHNSON: Yes, the leadership of our party should take Loyalty, Competency and dedication into consideration, I am in race for the Lagos House of Assembly Contest, I have worked and still working tirelessly for the party uses my personal resources, brain and my followers of over three thousands in Lagos State likewise our structure in 23 states of this country to promote the party agenda and defend the interest of our leaders at all time for good over 10 years without compensation from any angle, I was in Ondo State AKETI 2012 where we spent over 3-months off and on for the Akeredolu 1st lost contest again Mimiko, Aregbesola 2nd term contest, I was in Osun state 2014 where i was arrested at Onward junction Osogbo because I foiled election ongoing ringing, I was brutalized but thank God I am alive today, Ekiti state Fayemi 1st term contest also we ran over 10 kilometre inside the bush for the safety of our dear lives when the PDP boys came up with sophisticated arms and ammunition.
I can tell you categorically that APC was registered 31st July 2013 and I lead a mobilisation campaign project 22-days after August 22, 2013 Asiwaju Frontliners mobilizing students and youths Nationwide for APC with attendance of over 1,000 youths and students leaders from 8 states Yoruba speaking states, even when many could not even see future in APC.
I also mobilized one hundred thousand volunteers (100,000) for Buhari/Osinbajo 2015 Nationwide by Nigeria Agents of Change which I served as Convener, but thank God we have paid our dues and today it has become history wish I believe posterity will judge us right.
I believe this will serves as a privilege to contribute my quota to development of Lagos State aside support mobilization to win Elections alone
We have seen your e-posters campaigning for Kosofe 2 constituency seat. What new things are you bringing on board?
JOHNSON: Yes I am in the race. IDEAS RULE THE WORLD, the living God endowed me with multiple talents which I have not be able to use the 30 percent of it for Humanity and People development, I believe it is the right time for me to contribute my quota into good governance of our dear state Lagos for development and benefits of humanity in general through legislation on bills and motions that will bring development, revenue and better life to Lagos State and Lagosians.
No doubt. Tunde Buraimoh was one of the finest of the assembly. Are there things you think he should have done that wasnt done and which his successor should focus on?
JOHNSON: Legislation is not like executive where you promise to grade roads build hospital etc Legislation is about making laws, I must tell you these many laws were made years back that are functional as expected I shall work on them to more useful for the government and People.
I will work harder on community protection bills, Youths Empowerment bills, Educational development bills, life protection bills and Revenue Generation bills and motion shall be sponsors by the grace of the living God.
Lets talk about your party, the APC. What mechanism do you think the party need to put in place in selecting flagbearers for the forthcoming bye-elections at both Lagos East and KosofeII?
JOHNSON: Loyalty, dedication , commitment and hardwork. Thank you Mr. Journalist God bless you
Doyin Johnson is a staunch member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos with an impressive trackrecord of party activities. He is aspiring to represent the people of Kosofe constituency II at the State House of Assembly, filling the seat left vacant at the demise of Tunde Buraimoh. He spoke with the editorial team of GidiNews on his ambition, the state of democracy in Lagos, Asiwaju Tinubu and others in the race for the KosofeII seat at the assembly.
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