Former Spokesperson for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, has advised the governor-elect of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, against making what he termed as empty promises.
Igbere TV reports that, the journalist made his remark in his column titled: Promises and the Future: “Sanwo-Olu and other govs-elect” which was published at the back page of ThisDay Newspapers on Tuesday, May 21, 2019.
Abati, in his intervention, cautioned the governor-elect to refrain from making promises that he may not be able to keep warning that there would be consequences as the media and other stakeholders would double check and call him to account in due time.
According to Abati, Sanwo-Olu was not a professional politician advising him to resist the temptation to talk like one.
Igbere TV reports that the columnist was apparently making reference to recent comments by the incoming governor about how he would end the Apapa gridlock and employ graduates as BRT drivers.
He said: “Sanwo-Olu, the Governor-elect of Lagos State has been quoted making many promises, after the 2019 election in the spirit of the triumphalism of the moment. He says for example that he will employ graduates as BRT drivers and pay them N100, 000 as salary.
“That is what most of these newly-elected Governors and legislators across the country have been doing. They are ever-ready with poorly considered, formulaic responses. Sanwo-Olu wants to pay drivers N100, 000? Has he checked whether or not the state can afford to do so?,” he queried.
“At the same event, Sanwoolu boasted that he would put an end to the traffic gridlock on the Apapa expressway within 60 days of his inauguration. He should be careful about what he promises,” adding that “He should know that he cannot fix the Apapa traffic gridlock in 60 days!”
The former presidential spokesperson recalled a comment made by a former governor of the state, Babatunde Fashola who is now Minister of Power, when he said the problem of electricity in the country could be solved within six months.
According to Abati, Mr. Fashola has been unable to solve the problem he boasted he could handle adding that the Minister is currently having problems with private sector stakeholders.
In concluding, Dr. Abati who also a presenter Arise Morning Show on Arise TV, said: “It would help if the elected persons ahead of their inauguration, try to be sensible enough not to behave badly or make unintelligent statements or such political speech that cast doubts on their eligibility for office.
“They will destroy their own credibility by so doing. And it would help a great deal more if departing Governors and legislators-elect can just keep quiet too, and focus more on the common good. The election was bad enough. They should not make things worse by showing so early in the day that the people made mistakes.”
