Since the commencement of the 2019 electioneering season, I have deliberately refrained myself from making any political prophecy or projections even when I am clearly aligned with a political party, the Peoples Democratic Party and in full support of all her candidates at all levels across the 36 states of the federation and FCT.

However, I can't refrain myself from addressing a biased and misguided piece from a certain self acclaimed political scientist and public commentator, which he titled "Reasons Why Agbaje Would Lose The Lagos Governorship Election Again".

One fact about Lagos 2019 is that unlike the previous elections since 2011, the incumbent ruling party in the state and their supporters have been in serious fear mode; fear of losing their acclaimed empire, fear of losing the priced Gubernatorial contest to no other than Mr. Jimi Agbaje, the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party. Why? See the reasons;

1. Lagosians Are Fed Up With Tinubu Political Empire:
Being a longtime admirer of Asiwaju Tinubu, I can sense from distance the fear of his footsoldiers ahead of 2019 poll. This is the main reason their Governorship candidate Jide Sanwoolu has been bugging every nook and crannies of the state with his posters and billboards. In all their campaign billboard and posters, NOT one of them talk about their achievement in the last 20 years. Sanwoolu is even ashamed to campaign with the stewardship of incumbent Akinwunmi Ambode, simply because if he says Ambo performed, then the question will be why was he rejected? The question will be if Ambode had performed, why was he not considered worthy enough for a second term reelection ticket? Also, Sanwoolu cannot openly say Ambode underperformed because that in itself is an indictment on their party and vindication of the position of Mr Agbaje. However, Lagosians are quite informed that Sanwoolu is the furtherance of Bola's empire and are ready to put a stop come 2019.

2. Failure of President Muhammadu Buhari

In Nigeria's political environment the failure of the party at the centre is usually rubbed on her candidates at lower level. That Buhari administration is a failed one is no longer news, it is also an open secret that the failure of Buhari will affect his party's candidates especially in the southern part of Nigeria, where Lagos is a unit.

3. The Consistency Of Agbaje's Message:

Take it or leave it, the message of freedom as preached by Agbaje has sank deep into the nooks and crannies of Lagos state. In 2015, Agbaje's message became so loud that he narrowly lost to Ambo by small margin in 2015 despite the supposed sterling performance of then Governor Raji Fashola and the anti-PDP propaganda that swept Lagos. In fact, Jimi polled the highest vote garnered by any opposition party since 1999 and the PDP broke several jinx by winning seats in both the federal house of representative and Lagos state house of Assembly. I'm not trying to prophesy but a landslide victory in for Jimi Agbaje should not surprised anyone.

4. Involvement of "Non-Indigenes":

One advantage Jimi enjoy over his loquacious opponent is that he enjoys additional support of PVC carrying non indigenes of Lagos state due to his nationalist approach and programs unlike the ethnic-based political message of the other man. Only a political neophyte will playdown the influence of this segment in the politics of Lagos.

5. Jimi Is Busiest Of All Candidates:
May I educate the so-called political scientist that Mr Jimi Agbaje has been the busiest of all candidates running for the office. He has been engaged with marathon town hall events, grassroots outreach and has been very visible at conventions and other events. I think the writer of that piece is out if touch with present realities and happenings in Lagos.

6. Jimi Has Clear Policies:
Aside bullying Lagosians with posters and billboards, Sanwoolu has been the most quiet of all candidates. His policies are neither here nor there that they can't be critiqued because they lack substance. This cannot be said of Mr Jimi Agbaje. Lagosians know what he stands for. His posters and billboards convey message to the average Lagosian, a message that majority have already signed up for.

Those who are on ground in Lagos will tell you that the most uncomfortable candidate at the moment is Mr Sanwoolu. However, I will not make any political prophecy but having considered these facts and indices on ground, I will not be surprised when Jimi Agbaje of PDP is declared winner of Lagos state gubernatorial contest in March.



May God Bless Us All And Bless Nigeria

Written by TonyeBarcanista from Lagos.