The attempt by Governor of Lagos State, Akinwumi Ambode, to return to office next year appears to be facing a strong opposition as the kind of support he enjoyed from his godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in 2015 has waned.
Although Ambode has submitted his intent and nomination form to contest the September 29 governorship primary on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, majority of the party leaders, according to investigation may not support his aspiration.
It is ironical to some people that the governor who had received a lot of accolades in the provision of infrastructure among other benefits is experiencing opposition. Within the first three years of his administration, Ambode has been adjudged to be one of the best performing governors of the state judging by the transformation that he has carried out within the first three years.
“I am not a member of APC but when you see a good thing, you must commend it despite party differences. Ambode has brought hope to hopeless communities in Lagos by his provision of infrastructures especially the completion of Okota road,” said the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun.
At the General Assembly meeting of Lagos-East members of APC in February 2018, it was a unanimous endorsement for him. Their endorsement was based on his numerous achievements in the state especially in Ikorodu and Epe areas.
With different endorsements across the state, most thought his re-election would be an easy ride. However, almost at the very last minute, Tinubu and other stakeholders in the state are already supporting a new candidate – Jide Sanwo-Olu – to emerge as the flag bearer of the party in the governorship election next year.
Some observers believe the problem between Ambode and his godfather got to the climax recently with the alleged decision of Ambode’s men to expose Alpha Beta, a tax consulting firm with Lagos State. The company which is believed to be owned by Tinubu is said to be involved in tax evasion. Infact, the company was reported to have evaded tax amounting to over N100 billion. The revelation was said to have not gone down well with Tinubu and his camp and they decided to punish Ambode by withdrawing their support for his second term ambition.
The source said, “Ambode’s men have opened the can of worms in Alpha Beta over N150 billion tax evasion, fraud and money laundering. But in retaliation, Tinubu’s boys have exposed LTV OB Van N2.5 billion alleged scam involving Ambode.”
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In addition, The Next Edition gathered from a competent source that the 57 local government and local council development areas chairmen elected on the platform of APC last year, did not want Ambode to return as governor in 2019 because his style of leadership had rendered them impotent in the administration of their council areas.
According to him, they cannot sign a contract beyond N500 million.
The governor has also been accused of not rewarding those that worked for his election in 2015, the development which has made majority of them to pitch tent with Sanwo-Olu in the forthcoming governorship primary.
A chieftain of APC and former Secretary to Lagos State Government during Alhai Lateef Jakande era, Chief Olorunfunmi Basorun, who spoke to The Next Edition said that the leaders of the party had advised all the aspirants to go to the poll and test their popularity.
“Our leaders have advised all the aspirants to go to the poll and answer their fathers’ name,” he said.
A former House of Representatives aspirant and member of APC in Lagos State who did not want his name mentioned in the press said that Governor Ambode abandoned majority of those that worked for his victory in 2015. He further stressed that majority of those who contested the last general elections and lost were not carried along in the scheme of things by the governor in the past three years of the administration in the state.
He said, “I know that in any contest not everybody would win but there must be a way to compensate those who spent their hard earned money to buy the form and that, Ambode’s government failed to do.”
He disclosed that majority of APC leaders in the state would support Tinubu’s choice to become the governor of the state in 2019.
However, supporters of the governor believe that Ambode should be allowed to continue for another four years in order for him to complete his developmental vision for the state.
For instance, Special Adviser to the Governor on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Prof. Ademola Abass, said: “Within the last three years of Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration, Lagos State has received investment proposals approximately worth $43billion.”
With few days to the governorship primary, observers believe it may be difficult for Tinubu to change his mind on Ambode as several efforts made in the past few days by political stakeholders, including President Muhammadu Buhari on the matter have failed.
However, like a game of football, it is not over until the final whistle has been blown. Anything can still happen between now and Saturday when the primary will hold.
Since politics is a game of interest, those aggrieved by the way they were treated in the past three years may have a change of mind at the last minute if there are concrete arrangements to protect their interests in the next administration.
Without doubt, the governorship candidate of APC in the state will be determined on Saturday.
