Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has lamented the growing rate of thuggery in Lagos State elections, saying it was giving him high blood pressure.
George said that it was worrisome that there was no effective government policy to discourage thuggery and rehabilitate present thugs, noting that elections would continue to fall short of the people’s expectations as long as thugs hold sway.
He stated that the Goodluck Jonathan administration took a commendable step towards addressing the thuggery menace by establishing a skill acquisition programme at Oshodi.
This, the PDP chieftain said, has not been given the needed attention by the succeeding government.
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George said, “They (politicians) are the ones driving these young people around the whole place. It is disgraceful and disgusting.
“I know Sanwo-Olu’s family, yes, they are from Ijebu-Mushin. I grew up with his uncle and I know the kind of family he is from. They are decent and good people.
“If we had been hostile, would they have been able to settle down there? Their family is in Omidundun Street on Lagos Island where you find Ijebu-Mushin settlement.
“Thugs existed in those days, but they are growing in unimaginable proportions because there is no arrangement to train them.
“They are now becoming older and marrying without a future, food or income. What kind of society are we building?
“During former President Goodluck Jonathan’s era, he set up a skill acquisition programme at Oshodi. People came from all parts of the country for the programme. After graduation, he gave them interest-free loans to start a business.
“When I woke up last Monday, my blood pressure was high because I was angry at this system.
“Look at how small countries like Kenya, Senegal, Ghana and Rwanda conducted their elections using technology. What was done here, was it an electronic process?”