“Unfortunately we never embraced the kind of politics we borrowed from the United States rather we practice godfatherism politics that is why you see a few individuals externalised Lagos state economy at the expense of lagosians and in bid to liberate the Lagos state economy, some people have postulated different theories that the man (Ambode) is arrogant, that (he) deviated from the blueprint handed over to him and that he’s not reachable. Democracy is by the people and for the people and not for a few individuals. In my opinion Ambode exceeded expectations within the four years of his administration.”
I wouldn’t mind the outlandishness of my view even if you hold my view to appertain to that.
I am surprised that some people have decided to exterminate the goose that lay the golden egg in Lagos. Ambode is a man that was hyped all over, both on social and electronic, and in the print media as one of the best in the country considering his high level of performance. Here we are today swallowing back our vomits and portraying that same man in the mien of an abominable sadist.
Nigerians forget easily and are swift to destroy the good things one has done in the past when they call for his head for his minor peccadilloes. I have learnt one thing about politics in Nigeria – just do your bid, the best you can, and quit the stage when it becomes luculent that some evil traducers are out to destroy you. Often times we have seen a tiny group of influential but disgruntled elements collocate darkly against a creditable performer just because they have an ax to grind with him and also because they are able to sway public opinions. It is that bad.
Akinwunmi Ambode has been credited with a large horde of achievements within his short tenure as a Governor amongst which are the following which are laudable:
Jubilee Bridges at Abule Egba and Ajah; Berger Interchange reconstruction; Light up of Lagos; Oshodi Transport Hub reconstruction; Ijora, Yaba, Oyingbo bus stop redevelopment; Lay bys and new bus stops; Lagos is the safest city in Africa; Serial 114 inner city road projects in all LGA and LCDAs; Lagos Office of Civic Engagement and Lagos Global Office; Lagos Art Projects; Retirees’ pensions which are fully paid; 21 road construction works with bridges delivered in Alimosho; Construction of a network of road in Epe; Construction work ongoing on the Badagry Marina and Epe Marina projects; Construction of network of roads in Aboru and Abesan communities with a bridges; Construction of Ajasa-Command Road; Connection of 67 communities in Ibeju-Lekki to the national grid after five years of darkness; Construction of world class new Onikan Stadium and JK Randle Centre; Ongoing multiple road construction projects in the Ikorodu division including Ishawo road project down to Arepo in Ogun State, Igbogbo-igbe-bola Tinubu road down to Gberigbe and environ; Lake Rice projects; Ongoing construction of Imota Rice Mill which is regarded as the largest in Africa; Rent-to-own housing scheme; New Mile 12 market at Imota; Various health sector projects including completion of Ayinke House (Baby factory), new Intensive care unit, Helipad, new access road in LASUTH, health insurance, construction of many primary health care centres across the state, among others; N25billion Employment Trust Fund which has helped to revamp hitherto moribund industries, facilitated establishment of new companies and created thousands of jobs; Advancement of multi-modal transport project with new jetties, new world class ferries, shoreline protection and channelization of new ferry routes inter alia; Construction work on the new Ilaje road and jetty; A number of initiatives against against domestic violence; N500million disability fund;
I want to agree with someone who has submitted on my post on facebook that Governor Ambode’s achievements were going to dwarf the performance of his predecessors and that would have endeared him to the hoi-poloi to the detriment of past leaders of the APC in Lagos. According to such opinion, “Ambode was going to outshine his predecessors given what he has achieved and some of the ongoing projects he embarked on. Unfortunately we never embraced the kind of politics we borrowed from the United States rather we practice godfatherism politics that is why you see a few individuals externalised Lagos state economy at the expense of lagosians and in bid to liberate the Lagos state economy, some people have postulated different theories that the man (Ambode) is arrogant, that (he) deviated from the blueprint handed over to him and that he’s not reachable. Democracy is by the people and for the people and not for a few individuals. In my opinion Ambode exceeded expectations within the four years of his administration.”
It is clear that what we have had was the voice of Esau and the skin of Jacob. ”We are Not Going to allow anyone to vote for Ambode here, Our leader says we must vote for Sanwoolu” says an angry mob at APC primary in Lagos.
It is not a matter to ponder whether Ambode was good or bad. The situation in Lagos as understood now is that of a man who has offended the power that be and that tiny cabal is calling for his head. Tinubu is influential and has the clout to sway public opinion for or against. So are some others of the same league with him. Now, having offended this coterie of individuals of unbridled desires, his head is being called for. He must be decollated. They are are “honourable” men. They are demi-gods. They call the shots. They have the power to make or mar. They can make or destroy him and they are set on doing just that. They started by destroying his reputation. They rubbished him, tarnished his image, made him look unfructuous administratively, rendered him acarpous politically, made his accomplishments aphotic, made him aphonic, and above all, rendered him puerile and his achievements made piddling. It’s all a deliberate essay to give a bedraggled nomenclature to a dog as a reason to hang it. Ambode is a victim of circumstance.
*Aliu S. Momodu, a Nigeria’s quantity surveyor, wrote from Auchi, Edo State, South South Nigeria.
