Party Holds Prayers For Gani Fawehinmi

The Lagos Chapter of the National Conscience Party (NCP) on Saturday held 300 days’ interdenominational prayers in remembrance of its founder, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fawehinmi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, foremost African consistent and fearless human rights’ activist, died on Saturday, Sept 5, 2009 at the age of 71.

Addressing a news conference after the prayers, the state Chairman of the party, Mr Babatunde Agunbiade, said that the party was still keen on taking over power in Lagos and Nigeria irrespective of the demise of its founder.

“Late Fawehinmi stood for the masses. The central challenge for the NCP is to put an end to the reigns of tyrants, replacing it with people’s government.

“Undoubtedly, the Nigerian ruling class is incapable and incompetent to advance the interest of the majority of the masses,’’ Agunbiade said.

He reiterated the need for the masses to build their own party and have their own candidates.

“The NCP is the only credible alternative to all the ruling political parties and is aimed at organising the people, the poor, workers, traders, artisans, farmers and students among others, into a political force to acquire power through the democratic machinery of electoral process.

“We the people of the Nigerian masses should come to join and build the NCP to restore hope in the 2011 general elections’’ he said.

Agunbiade explained that the party’s notice of intent to contest under its platform is now available for collection, with an assurance that the party would give a level playing ground for all its aspirants.

On the performance of the present administration of Gov. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in the state, the NCP scribe declared it as a failure.

“The present government in Lagos is yet to impact meaningfully and fundamentally on the masses, irrespective of the little changes in some roads in Lagos ’’ Agunbiade claimed.

The party, however, called for the dissolution of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) and reconstitution of a new one appointed by representatives of civil society.

It also called for the immediate abrogation of the current property charges on business and residential premises.

Agunbiade hinted that the party would sponsor a bill to amend the law setting up the State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) and a bill on Freedom of Information (FOI) in Lagos.