Lagos senior lawyer, Chief Olakunle Taofeek Uthman on Sunday declared his intentions to vie for the governorship of the Lagos State.
Although he is yet to declare under which political party he intend to contest, Chief Uthman made this declaration in a letter he wrote to prominent Lagosians, communities, social, and religious clubs and organizations, a copy of which was obtained by Gavel International.
An indigene of Lagos Island, Chief Uthman was born at Ologun Street, Obadina in Lagos Island in February I962 to Mr Rasheed Olatunji Uthman an indigene of Isale-Eko and Mrs Amudalat Ayoka Uthman (Née Akesode), also an indigene of Lagos State. He attended Ireti Primary School, Ikoyi, Methodist Boys High School Lagos, Federal School of Arts and Sciences, Victoria Island and Studied Law as a pioneer student in the University of Benin. He was called to the Bar as a Barrister and Solicitor in Nigeria in 1985. Also hold a Certificate In International Dispute Resolution from the American Arbitration Association (AAA). I also hold the traditional title of Jagunmolu of Ibesheland, conferred by the Olubeshe Of Ibesheland in 1997.
Chief Uthman believes that it is time to shake off the burden put on the non Lagos State indigenes who has held political office in the state for more than twenty years, only to go back to their states after milking the resources of the state. “We have been burdened by non indigenes of Lagos State who have successfully, succinctly and surreptitiously held our State under siege. The sad aspect is their oscillating movements to their natural States of origin, as and when it suits their whims and caprices. This does not accord with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, stated.
He is piqued at the incumbent government of the state who he accused of performing below expectations, considering the massive resources at its disposal. “The present government in Lagos State had so far performed below average, which is inexcusable due to the enormous resources at their disposal, from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), allocations from the centre and tax burdens at whatever levels, not commensurate with infrastructural developments”, he said further.
Chief Uthman said he had been inundated with several calls from family members friends, associates and fellow indigenes of the State to contest the forthcoming Gubernatorial Elections. “It is no longer wise to sit back, write, publish articles and appear on talk shows. The inevitable, justifiable option is to contest and win the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election to replace the incumbent Governor of Lagos State”, he added.
On the political platform he intends to use as platform, the senior lawyer said: “We are still consulting with stakeholders to decide which political party will serve our noble objectives, being a party that is constituted by cerebral intellectuals and not political jobbers. We must take our destinies in our hands. This is the right time to do so and guarantee a better, rewarding future”.
He concluded: “This is possible and indeed doable with your assistance and total support. Your cooperation and support will be much appreciated at all stages of the primaries and the Elections”.
Dear readers, we really need your support to keep on serving you with authoritative, truthful, and juicy stories everyday. For your support, please reach out to the editor @gavelinternational66@gmail.com