Written by Mike Ebonugwo
Monday, 16 March 2009












AT a recent gathering of parliamentarians at the Iyana Ejigbo Bus-stop, a dispute had arisen over whether Governor Babatunde Fashola actually monitors how the different projects of his government were being executed.

The dispute was a fallout of the surprise expressed by one of the parliamentarians, Francis Akpeyi, that the traffic control light at Iyana Ejigbo which malfunctioned for some days, causing a lot of traffic confusion, had been rectified within a short time. “I’m surprised that this traffic light here has started working again.

Throughout last week the thing was just causing confusion, passing traffic from different directions at the same time. Many people could not understand why it was behaving like that considering the fact that it was not long that they mounted it. I even thought that some of these crooks always hanging around here must have tampered with it. And knowing the way things usually happen here, I thought it would take them a long time before they will do anything about it. But lo
ok now, the thing is functioning well again,” he noted with satisfaction.

A fellow parliamentarian, Biodun Lasisi had an immediate explanation for it. “Ah, it’s Fashola himself that came here and ordered the contractor that did the work to repair it,” he informed. But another parliamentarian by name Chidi Osondu interrupted to question the veracity of Biodun’s claim. “Hm, which time Fashola came here to tell them that kind of thing? You mean the man will because of ordinary traffic light leave all the important things he’s doing at Alausa to come here in Ejigbo. Abeg, I don’t believe you,” he said dismissively.

Biodun’s response to this was to launch into a narration on how Gov. Fashola has been visiting different parts of the state in disguise, inspecting on-going projects. “That means you’ve not heard how the man is operating. Maybe you think it’s only when you see many government vehicles blowing siren that a governor is around. Look, let me tell you, Fashola has visited Ejigbo many times. But he did not come as a governor. He just pretended to be an ordinary person.

“The last time he came here, he mounted Okada. In fact, the Okada man did not recognise him because of the way he dressed. He was putting on one hard Jeans trousers and jacket; inside the jacket he was wearing a black T-shirt. And then he was also wearing one rugged Timberlake canvas. And to make it impossible for anybody to recognise him, he put on a dark sunshade and was also wearing his own crash helmet when he approached the Okada man. He then asked the Okada man how much he will charge to take him round Ejigbo. The Okada man said he would take N5000.

“But as they started the journey, the Okada man was not sure if his passenger would actually pay the amount since he didn’t argue. But when they reached a particular spot where they are doing one government project, Fashola asked the man why he was still riding an old Okada that was bringing out a lot of smoke, the man said it was condition that caused it and told his passenger that if he had up to N30,000 he would repair the bike to look like a new one. That was when Governor Fashola now removed the helmet he was wearing and gave the man N30,000. The Okada almost fainted, especially when he now recognised Fashola,” Biodun told his fascinated listeners.

A sceptical Chidi was not given the chance to disprove Biodun’s story as another parliamentarian Isaac Iwelumor told a similar story involving the Governor. According to Isaac: “That was also how Fashola dressed when he came to Ijegun and met one woman selling akara by the roadside. He tried to find out from her why she was selling by the road, she said she had no money to rent a shop because to rent a shop was too expensive for her. And at the end of the day he gave her money to go and rent shop,” he informed.

Chidi’s response to this was: “Ah, he should be very careful in moving about in disguise like that. Because some area boys or police men can easily manhandle him before they realise he is Governor Fashola.





http://www.vanguardngr.com/content/view/31068/118/

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parliamentarians in the article meant everyday people. but if you care to know who the house of assembly members are in lagos state follow the link below.

http://www.lagoshouseofassembly.gov.ng/profiles.php

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Operating in disguise helps a leader to complete the circuit normally broken by sycophants. Kudos to the Gov.

It has its advantages and disadvantages. The guy should be careful.

Even he himself confessed that he was almost shot when he was inspecting the lekki express road expansion. Apparently, some owners of buildings that were affected by the expansion had hired soldiers to guard their fences so govt officials wouldn't be able to destroy them. Fashola said he visited the place at night without his normal convoy and infact drove the car himself. Unfortunately for the security guarding the fence, he had pointed the gun before he realised the guy was Governor of the State. So, he needs to be careful.

But we Nigerians will continue to pray for leaders that are doing the right thing

a true democrat