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Continuity: Why Lagosians need to support Ambode again

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Accolades As Nigerians Celebrates Ambode @ 56

“I am sharing my thoughts in this article, not necessarily as the Governor of Lagos State but as a Nigerian; a Nigerian who wants to see progress and sustainable growth in our country. I have been lucky to be administering over a state that has been put on the right track by my two predecessors, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN). I do not think I have done anything special except to bring my own style of leadership, my own experience and my vision. Lagos, as it is, has not reached its peak but we can see signs of progress and positive transition to the Lagos of our dreams. What bothers me personally is that I do not see the same level of progress elsewhere in the country. I am not happy that most states in our country are not advancing like Lagos.”

This was the random thoughts shared by the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, last year in one of the national dailies, where he encouraged other states to emulate the Centre of Excellence, Lagos, in pushing pro-people policies.

At least not since the inception of the Fourth Republic no Lagos governor has spent one term in office without clinching the second term.

Besides, since the advent of civilian rule in Nigeria in 1999, Lagos has been so privileged to have great and credible governors that have governed the state.

Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu ruled the state from 1999 to 2007, then come Barrister Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) who took over from Tinubu and ruled from 2007 to 2015, before the advent of the current governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who stepped in as the third governor in political dynasty headed by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in 2015 till date. The unbroken continuity has seen Lagos in a seamless development in all facets to the amazement of many of its peers in the federation.

Interestingly, the luminary governors, who for solid 16 years painstakingly laid the foundation to move the state to an enviable position it rightly deserves among the world leading cities, have immensely and positively impacted the city-state based on their infrastructural and developmental projects that have given the state adorable facelifts.

Therefore, the incumbent governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, had no reason to be indolent as he is working day and night to further transform every nook and cranny of the state since he was sworn-in on May 29, 2015.

He has actually continued from where the former governor stopped, though new innovations, verves and beautiful dimensions to governance without underestimating the power of Lagosians.

Besides, if performances are bases to adjudge governors’ performance in Nigeria, no doubt, Governor Ambode will stand tall among most of his peers. The outgoing governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, while acknowledging Ambode’s deep, wide and speedy projects once described him as the ‘Governor General of Nigeria.’

No matter how brilliant the members of a cabinet are, if the leader is not equally or better endowed there would be no one to set the pace and direction for cutting-edge development. If Lagos, arguably the fifth largest economy in Africa, is presenting itself as an example for other states and attracting attention from within and outside the African continent, it is an indication that a luminous vision is firmly in place. The vision that is continually remoulded and refined is a pointer to the fact that a leader possessing character and confidence is at the helm of affairs running the show.

The energies that Ambode brings to the job, and the organised ideas that undergird his stewardship, not to say the soundness of his visions, will ensure that the projects he has committed himself to, whether Eko Atlantic City, Fourth Mainland Bridge, Dubainisation of Alimosho, renewal of Ikeja Business District and the rapid metamorphosis of the Lekki Axis, among other great developments, will permanently change the landscape of Lagos.

Quiet but humble in nature, the former Accountant General of Lagos State’s vision leaves no room for underdevelopment in any area, whether it is lighting up the city, keeping the city clean, building homes, rebuilding roads, providing security, tackling transportation, building theatres and so on.

Tidbits of words on marble by party leaders on Ambode

The three Senators representing Lagos at the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Gbenga Ashafa, Lagos East; Oluremi Tinubu, Lagos Central and Solomon Olamilekan, Lagos West; once said in a letter of endorsement:

“We, particularly, are proud of the infrastructure development that you have brought to the entire state in general and to our districts in particular. Your smart solutions in tackling the traffic and security challenges that initially faced your administration have become template for other states to copy. Also, your strategic partnerships with Kebbi and Kano States have thrown more light to the capacity of Lagos State and the creative manager of man and resources which you are. We must also mention that through the course of the period which our country battled with an economic recession, you made sure that Lagos State remained well above the curve.”

Member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives from Lagos State and Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, endorsed Ambode for a second term in office.

“Because of the giant strides of our amiable Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, in the last two and a half years in governing the state; because of the things he has done across the board, across all the Local Government Areas, across different sectors, we sat together and we decided without a dissenting voice to seek his audience and endorse him for re-election in 2019 as the Governor of Lagos State.”

Chairmen of the 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State endorsed Ambode for a second term in office.

“Our decision to support him for another term in office is based on the fact that he has performed extremely well. We can all see that everything that he has done in Lagos State, no other state has been able to do that. He has done very well.

“He (Ambode) never gave excuses; he was always ready with solutions. He is a bundle of creativity, intelligence and honesty in governance.”

It will be recall that during the official flag off of the SMART Transportation For Lagos Campaign, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu described Ambode as a man who is extremely gifted in providing solutions to problems, no matter how daunting the challenges.

“When we were thinking of whom to succeed Babatunde Raji Fashola as Lagos State governor, Ambode himself never thought about it; we sought him out and I’m proud to be a grandfather.”

So one wonders why the sudden change of atmosphere, when in real sense, Governor Ambode has the genuine mandate to lead the state to another level if given the chance to run for a second term in 2019.

There is no doubt that politics in Nigeria is always full of drama and intrigues that one could hardly guess what the conclusion will be exactly. But then, the Jagaban of Lagos politics, who has always spoken so well of his ‘godson’ should embrace him like a true father does regardless of what might have transpired between them in the last three and half years.

By and large, the All Progressives Congress (APC) members, stakeholders and Lagosians as a whole should support continuity and support Ambode’s second term bid for a greater and better state in the 2019 elections.

 

By Augustine Akhilomen

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APC Picks Idahosa As Governor’s Deputy Candidate

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has picked Dennis Idahosa as its deputy governorship candidate in the September 21 Edo Governorship election.

An aide to Okpebholo, who confirmed the development, said the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; and the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru; are to present the party’s flag bearer, Monday Okpebholo; and his running mate to President Bola Tinubu at the Villa on Monday.

Idahosa is to replace Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama who was earlier announced by the governorship candidate last week as his running mate.

The source added that Idahosa, a serving member of the House of Representatives, emerged on Sunday night as the new running mate to Okpebholo after a prolonged meeting by stakeholders from Edo, the party leadership and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

At the meeting were the party’s flag bearer (Okpebholo), former Edo Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; and Idahosa who lost the ticket to Okpebholo following the controversies that greeted the party’s primary election of February 1 which was later concluded on the 21st of February 21m 2024.

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Lagos PDP Leaders Reveal Why Jandor Lost 2023 Governorship

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Local Government Chairmen’s Forum in Lagos has stated that their 2023 Governorship candidate, Dr. Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, lost the state’s governorship election due to his disregard for important advice and party structures.

Recall that the comment comes amidst Jandor’s controversial claim to leadership of the party within the state.

Condemning Jandor for laying claim to the party’s leadership structure within the state, the chairmen lamented that Jandor had, since joining the party, disregarded the party’s structure, tradition and rules

The chairmen further allege that Jandor’s selection of a deputy governorship candidate outside the party’s recommendations contributed to internal discord and ultimately led to Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s defection to the Labour Party, LP.

The statement read, “We express our displeasure at the conduct of Jandor and his associates, the attitude of the PDP candidate had been unbecoming since the day of his declaration for the party, where dignitaries of the party, which included some sitting governors and other dignitaries of the party were present including the then sitting governors and the national chairman of the party,(Senator Iyocha Ayu) were present.


“Jandor had disregarded the party’s traditions and structure from the very first day he became the party’s gubernatorial candidate. He became lord unto to himself.

“He disregarded the structures of the party, by single-handedly handpicking candidates for house of representatives and state house of assembly, thereby creating crisis within the party.


“This led to several litigation in the various local government areas, up to the supreme court, a scenario which had never been witnessed by the party before.

“Examples of local governments that were in legal log-jam two weeks before the general election were Oshodi-Isolo LG, Ikeja LG, Mushin LG, Ajeromi LG, Apapa LG, Ikorodu LG.


“Another blunder committed by him was he failed to properly reconcile with the aspirants that contested along with him for the governorship position but were forcefully step-down by ogidi led electoral committee that was sent to Lagos.

“These people paid N25million each to obtain forms. At one instance, one of the aspirants that was forced to step-down called him so that he might make some inputs into agent lists but he outrightly told the fellow that he was not ready to share his agent list with anybody and he will mainly make use of his Lagos for Lagos group.

“Two days after Peter Obi had discussion with Jandor on the issue of working with Labor Party, H.E Atiku Abubakar, our presidential candidate invited Jandor to his Abuja home on the same issue of working arrangement with Labour.


“The meeting which involved H.E Atiku Abubakar, a retired general and one other powerful northern leader. The issue of collaboration was raised and Jandor stated that he was not ready to step down for LP candidate Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and the only condition was for Gbadebo to step down for him because he has his Awori people behind him.

“When the enlarged meeting was not making much progress on the issue of the collaboration, Jandor was asked to suggest the way forward on how they can make progress on the issue of collaboration.

“They suggested that a call should be put across to Chief Olabode George, BG, and seek for his opinion on the way forward.

“From the venue of the meeting in Abuja, a call was put to BG and other notable leaders in Lagos on the issue of working relationship with LP.

“All the leaders made it clear to them the best thing is to have a working relationship with LP. That it is most ideal and reasonable thing to do is for Jandor to step down for Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

“Because the leaders based their analysis on outcome of presidential election of 2023 where LP scored 582,664 votes as against PDP that scored 75,750 votes.

“The PDP chairmen forum equally frowned at jandor’s claim to the leadership of the party in Lagos, in comparison to the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ,whereby state that Atiku Abubakar’s leadership stemmed from his being a founding member of the party ,and being a former Vice President of the country for eight years.

“Jandor was a misgiving to the PDP since 2022, when he joined the party, and in setting the record, he is the worst candidate in terms of performance, but also being the candidate who mostly abused the norms and structure of the party in it’s almost 25 years of existence.

“Jandor’s many sins, include his disregard for the party’s principles and traditions in the selection of the deputy governorship candidate ,as he jettisoned the deputy governorship candidate, Architect Gbadebo Rhodes- Vivour who was unanimously picked by the leadership of the party for him.

“This led to the dumping of PDP by Rhodes-Vivour for the LP. For instance,the forum of LGA chairman recommended and suggested the name of Architect Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour as deputy governorship candidate in order to have cohesion and unity of purpose within the party but he disregarded the advice(see the attached of the letter sent to Jaandor by LGA chairmen forum before he picked funke Akindele as his deputy governorship candidate.

“He disregarded the party blatantly, and went on to singlehandedly pick funke Akindele, who was not a member of our party, and not even a politician.

“And that was what led to the cold war whic later snowballed into his trouble with elders of the party led by Chief Olabode George.

“This is a character imposed on the party by the national, if not who knew him, suddenly he became a lord unto himself. He created crisis within the party.

“He did not reconcile with other governorship candidates who contested with him which are more on ground than him before he came and got the party’s ticket, yet he had the effrontery to create crisis within the party with his interference with the emergence of candidates at all levels, which led to several litigations.

“We the PDP LGA chairman forum can no longer condone the waywardness of Jandor and warned him of dire consequences if he fails to desist from his unsavory remarks always against the leadership of the party in the state, like the recent thoughtless remark about being the leadership of the party in Lagos.

“Finally, we hereby affirm that all negative comments made against our foremost and Apex leader in Lagos, Bode George, is uncalled for and unwarranted.”

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Tinubu Okays E-registration Of APC Members

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The ruling All Progressives Congress has disclosed that the nationwide electronic registration of its members has received the blessing of President Bola Tinubu.

This was disclosed by the National Chairman of APC, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, when he hosted 33 members of the APC state chairmen at the headquarters of the party in Abuja on Saturday.

The visitation comes hours after the Forum of APC Chairmen urged the President to ‘wield the big stick’ against heads of security agencies found wanting in the fight against insecurity and banditry.

While welcoming the delegation, Ganduje disclosed that the President is happy with the performance of the state chairmen and further endorsed the e-registration of members to further consolidate its membership strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.


He said, “This is a very important courtesy call you made to Mr President. He is so happy with it. And it will continue like this. The president has granted your requests, especially on political appointments. He is doing something about it.

“He emphasized the importance of electronic registration which we have been working on with the consultant and our committee at the headquarters which has gone far. Now, we are going to the grassroots level. It (registration) will be connected across all the wards of the federation but you need to oversee the recruitment of officials who will undertake the exercise. This is because you are involved in the recruitment and in the execution of the registration.”

His position was re-echoed by the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the party, Duru Meseko, who explained to the delegation that two officials from each state would be trained in Abuja to consolidate on the recruitment for the exercise.


Reacting, Secretary of the forum, Alphonsus Ogah applauded both Tinubu and Ganduje for bringing stability to the party and Nigeria as a country.

While stating that they passed a vote of confidence on the president after charging him not to spare any security chief failing in his duty, Ogah also stressed the importance of updating the party membership register.

According to the APC chieftain, the 2023 elections exposed the actual membership, unlike the 40 million membership strength the party has been dangling prior to the poll.

He said, “We also wasted no time in telling Mr President that our party needs to be strengthened. And in strengthening our party, we need to thank Mr President for giving us a man in the mode of our national chairman, Dr Umar Ganduje, who has been so humble in consulting state chairmen on every policy, particularly the planned e-registration of membership of our party.

“Our national chairman came very prepared. He was focused on doing away with the rigmarole and the delusion that APC paraded 41 million people when in reality, we went into an election we barely got almost nine million votes. It is time to face reality because we have a President and a national chairman who are both progressive. You have state chairmen who are also progressively minded.

“Therefore we will be more comfortable if today we know we have 10 million registered members in APC. But we must match them with their PVCs so we can be able to make a prognostication on what may likely be the outcome of an election even before 2027.

“But in doing this, we reminded Mr President that we have been working with our governors and various stakeholders to collate names of party faithful. It was also the mantra of Mr President that monkey work, monkey chop.


“Baboon no work, baboon no chop. In fact, Mr President had told us in one of those meetings that if he caught a baboon that didn’t work coming to eat, he was personally going to arrest that baboon. There were other various sensitive issues we discussed with Mr President and I can assure you he was highly elated.

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