Ikorodu (Lagos State)- Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State weekend urged the electorate to use their votes, rather than violence, to support their preferred candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
The governor gave the advice at the campaign rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikorodu area of the state.
He described violence as an aberration in democracy, advising voters to express themselves through the ballot papers rather than acts that could ruffle the system.
Fashola advised APC supporters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to elect candidates of their choice.
“The first thing I am going to tell you to do is to collect your Permanent Voter Cards starting from Monday. You know why?
“The only power in your hands is not the power of machete, violence or guns.
“It is the power of ballots. When people see the power of ballot, whether they like it or not, they will surrender.
“When people see that the ballot box is full, they will know that people have spoken,” he said.
Fashola described the party‘s presidential candidate, Retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, as an honest and a tested leader who was passionate about transforming the country.
He also urged Lagos residents to vote for the party‘s governorship candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, to consolidate on the interventionist strides of his administration.
The governor explained that the state had consistently allocated about 15 percent of its annual budget to education, adding the figure was raised to 16.5 percent in the 2015 budget.
Fashola said his administration had executed life impacting projects in Ikorodu area of the state, adding that the area would get more if Ambode was elected.
In his remark, Ambode appealed to the people of Ikorodu and all Lagos residents to vote for him, assuring them that he would take the state to the next level if elected.
“I will consolidate on the achievements of my predecessors in line with the tradition of excellence of our party.
“I will build inner city roads in Ikorodu and ensure further development of the entire state. I want you to vote for me, and I am assuring you that I will deliver,” he promised.
