Mr Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, spoke with Victor Ayeni about the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) allegations of attacks on opposition parties in the state, his view of the upcoming election campaigns, and other pressing issues.
When asked to assess the 2023 campaigns in Lagos, Omotoso said they are progressing well. He noted a growing public awareness of politics, with increasing interest in what parties are doing—or failing to do. Campaigns now receive more coverage on television, radio, and other media, which he finds encouraging and exciting. “In our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), every campaign feels like a carnival because people are happy with the party leaders,” he added, describing the overall experience as positive.
Addressing the PDP’s claim that the APC is sponsoring physical attacks on its members, Omotoso called the allegation “preposterous” and “puerile.” He argued that a leading party cannot be responsible for violence and emphasized that APC leaders are intellectuals with no connection to such acts. He contrasted this with a history of violence associated with another party that often portrays itself as a victim. Regarding a recent incident in Surulere, Omotoso pointed to video evidence showing individuals with a party‑branded vehicle, which the PDP later claimed had been hijacked. He said the injured parties could still be contacted for clarification and that the faces of those involved were widely recognized. “To play the victim while being the aggressor is an assault on our intelligence,” he asserted, adding that modern technology makes it easy to identify perpetrators.
On the Governor’s absence from the Platform governorship debate organized by the Covenant Christian Centre, Omotoso refuted the notion that the absence was poorly received. He argued that peace‑loving Lagosians appreciated Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu’s decision, noting that the governor did not need a debate to prove his capabilities. He explained that the organizers had been involved in the Surulere incident, disrupting peace and firing guns in broad daylight, and that it would have been inappropriate for the governor to share a podium with them. Supporters were advised to avoid the event out of respect for those injured, and Omotoso maintained that the governor’s choice was sound and unshakable.
When questioned about allegations that the ruling party pays people to remove opposition posters, Omotoso dismissed them as a “joke.” He argued that posters do not win elections; instead, candidates must convince voters through leadership. He recounted seeing many APC posters torn in Epe and Alausa but noted that the party does not react as if its “lollipop” had been taken away. He suggested that those removing opposition posters are likely unaffiliated individuals and that the APC’s success does not depend on such tactics.
Regarding voter security, Omotoso said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is responsible for elections and works with security agencies to ensure safety before, during, and after voting. The state government, he added, encourages citizens to remain peaceful and lawful. The governor regularly meets with the Security Council—comprising the Department of State Security, the Air Force, the Army, Civil Defence, and others—to discuss security measures, and similar vigilance will be maintained for the upcoming election.
Addressing criticism that the APC’s 24‑year rule in Lagos has harmed democracy, Omotoso emphasized that elections are a means to improve citizens’ lives, not merely to acquire power. He highlighted achievements such as affordable transportation, quality healthcare, and opportunities for youth in entertainment and technology. He claimed the APC has fulfilled its promises, which is why voters continue to support it. He compared Lagos to other regions where long‑standing ruling parties remain popular because of their performance, noting that Lagosians are discerning and recognize the APC’s contributions.
Finally, Omotoso expressed confidence in Governor Sanwo‑Olu’s re‑election in 2023. He cited concrete accomplishments: construction of ferries, reconstruction of 970 roads, progress on the Blue Line rail and the upcoming Red Line, completion of 19 housing projects, four mother‑and‑child hospitals, a rise in West African School Certificate pass rates from 36 % to 80 %, training of 18,000 teachers under Eko Excel, delivery of 1,047 school projects, and the establishment of two new universities without strikes. “All he has done speaks for him,” Omotoso concluded, asserting that Lagosians will continue to support the governor.
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