I like Sanwo-Olu as a person but I don’t like the inefficient and ineffective system that has thrown him up as Lagos State governor, which is why he has been struggling to perform effectively and optimally. He couldn’t even attend the Lagos State gubernatorial candidates debate (to market himself to Lagosians), following in the footsteps of his Principal. That I think was a minus for him. No matter his reasons, I believe it’s because he hasn’t done well for Lagos citizens in the past four years of his administration, and so couldn’t stand them.

Recently, I saw a long list going round social media as what Sanwo-Olu has achieved in the past four years of his administration. If you haven’t seen this list, please look for it and see for yourself if that list justifies a total amount of about *N4.5 Trillion naira* that has *officially* gone through Lagos State government in the past four years.

From a very objective perspective and as someone with a good financial and engineering background, I can only say it is highly suboptimal, if not very very ridiculous. It is indeed very shameful for an administration that has had so much resources, especially when you consider that Lagos State budget has been between 15% to 20% of the total budget of the rest of 35 states of the country and FCT combined. For instance the Lagos State 2023 budget is about 18% of the total budget of the rest of the 35 states of Nigeria and FCT combined. *Think about it!*

With the above resources, Lagos State should be doing at least 20% of the infrastructure that the rest of the country are doing combined. This is also factoring in all the corruptions in all the states of the country combined. *Think about the corruption that exists in more then 10 states consolidated in one state!!!*

In 2022, the budget of all the five South Eastern States (N1.03 Trillion) was only about 59% of Lagos State budget (N1.74 Trillion). Meanwhile, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State alone has arguably delivered more infrastructure than Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State in the past years. I am not sure anyone will argue this. If you do, please take a visit to Ebonyi State and see for yourself.

I am not really a fan of Dave Umahi, and I also don’t think he has performed optimally well, but it does appear very obvious that he has done much better than his Lagos counterparts when it comes to infrastructure, even with far less resources.

In Lagos State, a road construction in Oniru area of, Eti-Osa LGA that is less than 2km has been ongoing for more than 3 years and still it’s not yet completed. Please how does one explain such inefficiency?

*This level of inefficiency is one of the reasons why Lagos is considered as the 2nd worst city to live in the whole world, only better than Damascus, Syria that has been experiencing war and terrorists attacks since 2011, meanwhile Lagos has never experienced war since its creation.*

This means the residents of Lagos State are living in conditions of a war torn and terrorists infested city. Even Tripoli, Libya that has also experienced a major war and terrorists attacks is a better livable city than Lagos. Isn’t that ridiculous?? *Just think about it!*

I think the reason for this is simple, how do you explain why a Lagos State will seemingly do a project that should cost less than $150m with $1.5 billion? Imagine what Lagos would have looked like had this $1.5 billion used for 10 of such projects, even without the benefit of economies of scale? I am talking about the Blue rail line project which has taken Lagos State more than 13 years and it is still not yet operational. Please how does one explain this?? How does any right thinking person want to sustain such a wicked and inefficient system?

*It is really not about how much is generated but what has the generated revenue been used for? To whom much is given much is expected.*

I live within a 1 km radius of two Lagos State water board infrastructure that have been existing before 1999 when Tinubu became the Governor of Lagos State, and no one within the neighborhood has had a public portable or pipe borne water in what is supposed to be a mega city. Please how do you explain not having something as basic as that for a city like Lagos, even when the infrastructure has already been provided before Tinubu became a governor in 1999?

That one can provide his or her own water, own electricity, own security, buy vehicles they don’t need with high maintenance cost, and sometimes build own roads, with inadequate healthcare system, pay exorbitant fees for children schools, etc. does not mean such a person is living well. *It is simply a sign of a failed system.* This is one of the reasons why Lagos is considered as the 2nd worst city to live in the whole world.

The monies individuals use in providing these facilities for themselves could have been invested in more productive ventures to drive the economy. It does seem many of us do not really appreciate the importance of having an effective and efficient government, otherwise we should not be singing the praises of political leaders who have failed woefully.

How do you explain why Lagos State government administrators will convert and sell lands meant for recreation and green areas to their cronies for private and commercial houses?

I think the problem is that some of those who consider themselves as the elites do not yet fully understand their civil rights and responsibilities as citizens, otherwise some political office holders should not even be allowed to complete their tenure and they will be recalled. Why do they have to travel abroad to enjoy the basic necessities of life and not push that such be replicated in our society, especially when the resources are available to do so.

This is because the above things I have mentioned should be basic provision for ALL residents of a city like Lagos. And when it is not provided, even those who can afford them are endangered by those who do not have them, and who cannot afford them, and which is what Lagos residents are experiencing here in Lagos.

Simply put, it does seem that those who have been handling Lagos since 1999 have deliberately put residents of Lagos in a situation of war. This is why street urchins appear to be the ones in charge of a city like Lagos. You see them in the streets of Lagos harassing innocent citizens and residents.

Let the handlers of Lagos State mean well for its residents by NOT doing a project apparently 10 times its value. Let the handlers of Lagos State mean well for its residents by not doing a 2km road for 4 years thereby punishing its residents. Let the handlers of Lagos provide its residents with pipe borne water. Let the handlers of Lagos provide adequate health care for it’s citizens. Let the handlers of Lagos help in providing adequate electricity power supply. Let the handlers of Lagos State mean well for its residents by providing an effective and efficient transport infrastructure and system for a population like Lagos State. I can go on and on. That is what makes a thriving city.

Even if one is benefitting from this very inefficient system, do we not see the danger that the continuation of the status quo portends? Should we not begin to hold our political leaders accountable even if we are benefiting from the flawed system? I think it is time we wake up and begin to speak and play our role in *”the office of the citizens”*.

Now Lagos residents do have another opportunity to vote this Saturday March 11th, for the administration that will be in charge of the affairs of Lagos State for the next four years. I think it is time to try another person and another political party.

I have heard some of my brothers and sisters who are Lagos State APC members call Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivor a bastard. And their reason is because his mother is Igbo and his wife is Igbo. Meanwhile, the man they call Jagagban is from Osun State and his wife is from Delta State. And I understand that at least two of the people that have governed Lagos State since 1999 are not Lagos indigenes.

With the BVAS accreditation system, and the removal of incidence form, our votes will count, just as it did for the Presidential election despite their failed rigging attempt.

And so I urge all Lagos residents to come out overwhelmingly this Saturday March 11th, 2023 and vote. Let Lagos Residents not allow themselves to be cowed by the intimidation of the ruling APC party that have deliberately put its residents in a state of war.

Please note, that I am not against any politician or political party in any way, I and I believe many other well meaning Nigerians are only seeking to have a better society for all Nigerians, and a better life for most Nigerians. And that, I believe is what democracy promises societies that practice it.

Please share this to all well meaning Lagos Resident voter. Together we can make Lagos State one of the best cities to live in.

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