The rumoured fuss within the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) over the composition of the proposed Governor •Ajomale: complainants are outsiders •It’s all about service, says Muse •Olanipekun hails governor Babatunde Fashola-led State Executive Council in Lagos is unfounded after all. DADA ALADELOKUN and BUNMI OGUNMODEDE who spoke with stakeholders, report.

LAGOS Governor Babatunde Fashola got kudos yesterday for  his list of commissioners, which has been presented to the House of Assembly.

Hours after the list of nominees fwas sent to the  House, there were rumours  that anger was brewing within Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the party in firm control of the state. Some members of the party were allegedly not well represented in the emerging Executive Council.

The governor  on June 24, wrote to the State Assembly through Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji. In the letter entitled: “Constitution of the State Executive Council”, Fashola  presented his 37 nominees for  the lawmakers’ screening and approval.

“Kindly note that in making these appointments, I have given consideration to the diversity of interests and persons within the state and the cost of governance, amongst many other considerations,” Fashola wrote.
The tell-tale of those opposed to the list was that it contained  mainly technocrats and non party members. But those who commented on the list yesterday said there was nothing strange in appointing those who have the wherewithal to deliver good governance.
Besides, they are argued that former Governor Bola Tinubu was able to leave behind a landmark after his eight-year administration because of the egg-heads he appointed into positions.

In fact, the party’s chairman in the state, Chief Henry Oladele Ajomale, laughed off the rumour when The Nation sought his view. He affirmed that such a rumour could not have come from within the party.

His words: “Those who are complaining are outsiders. How do they determine a party member? If the complainants are members of our party they will know that all those nominated are card carrying members of the ACN. Who are the technocrats they are talking about? Is it Akabueze? He played a prominent role mobilising  Ndigbo before and during the last elections.

We know what he did to ensure victory for the party. Are they saying that those who dumped their party to openly declare for the ACN are not party members? No committed member of the party will talk that way.

“Of course, there are less than 30 slots for commissioners and special advisers. So, there is no way the governor can nominate every member to become members of the State Executive Council. It is not possible. So, whoever is not nominated now could be nominated tomorrow, even for other positions. It is not true that those nominated are not members of the ACN.”

His vice in Lagos West, Rev James Omolaja Odunmbaku, echoed his position. To him, the rumoured rumpus in the party allegedly arising from the Fashola’s new cabinet is not only unfounded but false.
“It is not true that there is any crack in our party over the membership of the executive council.

There is no iota of truth in it because both the party’s leadership and the governor are in an unbroken rapport over the issue. They work hand-in-hand.”

Senator Muniru Adekunle Muse, who represented Lagos Central District in the 6th Senate, said: “Making use of technocrats in governance is not a bad idea; it is all about Governor Fashola’s passion for service delivery and good governance. However, I must say that it is not out of place if he includes party men of proven service records in his cabinet because everyone in the party worked for his first term achievements and indeed, his success at the polls in the April elections.

“I want to appeal to all that what should be uppermost in our minds is how to sustain the legacy of service to the people, which the Fashola-led administration and indeed, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) are known for. Fashola is a party man and as such, I believe he will take, adequate care of the party’s feelings by ensuring that members are represented in his administration.”

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) also bared his mind on the issue. To him, the governor has done “perfectly well” by picking technocrats to work with him in order to carry the tradition of service for which he is known to loftier heights.

His words: “The governor has done what he felt should be done to see to it that he sustains his commitment to people-oriented service for which his administration is being celebrated, even beyond the shores of our country.

“We must understand that the moment he got re-elected, he became the governor of Lagos State and not that of his party. That is what our people must understand because at the end of the day, after his tenure, he is the one that will be held responsible for either his failure or success in office.

“No doubt, if he feels that they can work with him and achieve results, he can pick qualified ones from his party and even other parties; it is all about serving the people dispassionately.

United States’ President Barrack Obama nominated Kenyan-born Scott Gration as the country’s Ambassador to Kenya because he believed he could deliver; he did not consider party affiliation.

This is the trend going on all over the world. Politics has shifted from the era of ‘winner takes all.’ It is now about who can do the work well.”

As situation stands, most Lagos residents who are still basking in the euphoria of “Action Governor” Fashola’s re-election are full of hope that with the new cabinet, he is poised to take every segment of his administration to the much-desired greater height in the overall interest of all.

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/politics/10656-fashola-gets-kudos-for-list-of-commissioners-advisers.html