Lagos State since inception has a mix- pouri of a cosmopolitan city with refined and advanced fixture of ultra-modern urban lifestyles as well-as global outlook. As someone born, bread and buttered in Lagos decades ago, it is sad to note that the ongoing impasse over the second-term aspiration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and a sect of political marauders is a manifest threat to the basic fabrics and foundations of Lagos as a Centre of excellence, a mega-city where merit, performance and social commitment take precedence over mediocrity, covetousness of power and lust for filthy lucre.
The State has been well blessed under democracy with rare breed of visionary pointsmen, from Lateef Kayode Jakande to Sir Michael Otedola, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Babatunde Fashola and the present Akinwunmi Ambode. The political stability, seamless transition of power is what makes the State the capital of industry, business, and commerce, global home to all; a safe haven for lives and properties despite accommodating over twenty million residents with enormous security challenges. Interestingly, the state also wears the crown of the political headquarters of Nigeria and a major pacesetter in the continent.
It is instructive to recall just a few unique features of Lagos State to emphasize the importance of political stability for a trail blazing State. It would be recalled that during the misadventure of military incursion into power, the State was the hot-bed and sanctuary of pro-democracy, human rights movement and other social resistance forces. Till date any agitation of even the labour, self-determination and other groups gather momentum from Lagos. Even processes for national redemptionand advancement commence from the State. This is why Lagos is critical to democratic governance, political stability of the country. The present devious plan to create political chaos in the State is tantamount to a blank recipe to derail our nascent democracy.
It is granted that we are in the season of democratic contestation, i.e. election year. Thus various hues and shades of individuals are at liberty to throw their hats into the ring. Indeed other contestants are free to aspire to become Governor of Lagos State, but to conspire a design to debar the performing incumbent from contesting is not duly glaringly anti-democratic but also constitutionally subversive. For all Lagosians who have played roles in entrenching democracy, it is obvious that the current macabre drama playing itself out is a grand plot to put all residents’ freedom under siege, by arresting the State’s developmental strides and pro-poor masses projects.
The main kernel of objections to Ambode return ticket stems from his policy resolve to level up infrastructural growth across all rooks and crannies of the State. When he decided to shift emphasis of his administration projects from elites areas to ‘light-up’ the suburbs, to construct over-head bridges in Abule-Egba, Agege etc and road construction in Epe, Ikorodu and Badagry – there were vehement opposition from the ruling political elites. There are covert and open campaigns to rubbish the Governor’s accomplishments like the increase in Internally Generated Revenue, regular payment of workers’ entitlements, and building of helipad for LASUTH and prioritization of the education sector.
The most ribald irony of our political situation is the allegation that the State should not have dabbled into constructing the Muritala Muhammed International Airport road, Ikeja. which ought to be a Federal Government project. They forget that the road and many others are meant to alleviate the transportation hardship of Lagosians, ease movement of goods and services as well position as a sign-post of attractiveness to investors, international visitor and tourist. The so-called political leaders claim that Governor Ambode’s projects to meet up the infrastructural deficit of the state are adversely affecting their natural entitlements and political patronage in the allocation of the scarce resources of the state.
If the truth must be told without fearing whose ox is gored, the arrowheads of the “infamous gang” clamouring against the return ticket of Governor Ambode ought to be exposed and taken up in public market square for maximum opprobrium and appropriate peoples’ sanction. They include a two time female Senator, a former Chairman of the party, a reverend that is not a gentleman, a four time member of state house of Assembly and a serving Governor of a South-West State who had earlier served as a Commissioner in Lagos State.
These elements have a single aim to perpetually ensure that Lagos State, its people and resources are their personal fiefdom. This is extremely dangerous to genuine people’s democratic rule and all should combat it.
Olawale Saint Jherico
Ex-Secretary
Trade Union Congress, Lagos Council