Lagos State, the famous Center of Excellence and Nigeria’s economic capital, holds unusual attraction and prominence, not just in Nigeria but in the entire continent of Africa. Apart from being home to citizens from almost every part of Africa, it is widely believed that at least, a family in Nigeria can boost of a single person residing in the state.
Therefore, who eventually becomes the governor of this extraordinary state can never emerge accidentally, and you can take the statement to the bank. In Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Leader of the All progressive Congress (APC) is respected for being the architect of modern Lagos. Between 1999 – 2007, he governed Lagos State with great vision and foresight. He is also regarded as a very perceptive leader for choosing astute successors like former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (2007-2015) who was tagged “Actualiser” during his eight years tenure and now Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who is believed to have turned Lagos to construction site.
But for every massive project, the tax payer bears the brunt. Unfortunately, the Ambode government has not been bold enough to tell Lagosians how much he pays for each project his administration embarks upon, either completed or under construction.
In some quarters, the Ambode’s administration has been described severally as one man show, a man who doubles as both the producer and director, all at once. Even though most of the Civil Servants are disgruntled and unhappy over Ambode’s style of administration, they still consider him as one of their own. As a matter of fact, no commissioner or Permanent Secretary has authority to approve common (N500,000:00) five hundred thousand naira only. Any financial transaction in the neighborhood of the aforementioned sum must pass through the governor. To many, this is hindering the administration’s performance and naturally brings ineptitude and inefficiency in the discharge of duties among Lagos state Civil Servants.
According to a disgruntled civil servant who spoke on the condition of anonymity, things have not been this bad since 1999. “This has not been practiced during previous administrations in Lagos state. Things are so dull and boring and every time there is a need, we all have to wait for governor’s approval, even during an emergency”, he said.
In addition, due to the one man show in Gov.Ambode’s administration, two of his commissioners who are renowned technocrats of international repute resigned, namely Mr.Maberuola (Transport) and Mr.Mustapha Ogunsakin(Finance) when these people cannot cope with Ambode’s all known attitude.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is also accused of destroying all the political structures he met on the ground, particularly those of his predecessors without knowing that tactically, he is shooting himself on the leg. A very good example is the instance of PSP and LAWMA which was unceremoniously replaced with Vision Scape, a company alleged to have connection with His Excellency Akinwunmi Ambode. Though some people did not consider change from one firm to another as bad idea but it becomes really bad when the new company performs far below expectation like Vision Scape is presently doing in Lagos.
Vison Scape is meant to clean Lagos and get all the refuse cleaned up but in recent times, Lagos environment has been full of refuse anyway you go to in Lagos, from ikeja, Yaba and Ikorudu to Mushin Oyingbo, Ketu. Everywhere in Lagos metropolis, heaps of refuse welcome both visitors and the residents. Definitely, cholera and other diseases are imminent if urgent solution is not found. Lagosians are seriously disenchanted and distraught with this style of administration.
However, the last straw that broke the camel’s back was an allegation that Governor Ambode has established his own revenue generating company to rival Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Alpa Beta, a firm reputed for revenue collection owned by the All progressive Congress National Leader. It was learnt that this angered Asiwaju Tinubu who made Ambode governor of the most economically buoyant state in Nigeria. Tinubu is further pained by Ambode who so quickly forgot the fatherly backing and support he received from him and the Asiwaju is not taking it lightly. As Yoruba would say, whoever blocks one’s source of income, means to kill the person.
With all these and many more, Amobode’s second term is in grave danger. But his Chief Press Secretary, Habib Aruna in a text message declared: “Political jobbers at work. Expect more before the primaries.”
