By Yemi Ajayi



Before the advent of the Fashola administration, driving through Oshodi, which I had to do to get to my office then at Fatai Atere Way, was one of the most harrowing experiences I had to go through five days a week.

The two alternative routes to my office, passing through Ikorodu Road to connect Ilupeju By-pass or through the Airport Road to link up Ladipo via Five Star, were to say the least equally unattractive. The traffic on those alternative routes was as hellish as that of Oshodi.

Then, one Sunday after the first New Year of having Fashola as governor, I drove through Oshodi on my way to work and my “flabber was gasted.”

The orderly chaos that was the defining persona of Oshodi was totally absent. I was confronted with a new Oshodi devoid of its characteristic heavy human and vehicular traffic. There were phalanxes of policemen here and there to prevent a breach of the peace after a dawn demolition of illegal structures that also provided habitats for criminals who tormented motorists and passers-by.

That singular act marked the beginning of my romance with Fashola. I became his implacable supporter. He had by restoring order to Oshodi not only reduced my commuting time from home to work, my daily fuel consumption dropped by as much as 55%.

In a nation devoid of a standard metric for measuring performance of public office holders, it also set for me a template in assessing leaders.

It is in that light I’m viewing the ongoing crisis of succession in Lagos State being championed by those trying to deny Fashola’s successor, Akinwunmi Ambode, the conventional right of first refusal.

Many reasons have been pushed into the public space on why Ambode must give way to Jide Sanwo-Olu, the favourite pick of Tinubu’s political machinery, the Mandate Group, and they range from the ridiculous to the sublime.

Unfortunately, none of the reasons I’ve come across so far has much to do with majority of Lagosians on whose votes Ambode is in office.

As someone who has lived in Lagos for almost 40 years, I can say that Ambode has added to the building blocks of the foundation laid by his predecessors. Lagos to me is better now in terms of infrastructure and service delivery in some areas than it was before.

The governor has wormed his ways into my heart, and those of millions of others, with the construction of inner road network especially within the Ifako-Ijaiye Alimosho corridor.

Within my Alakuko neighbourhood, there are at least nine ongoing inner road projects. Some of them are in areas where the residents had lost hope of ever feeling government’s presence.

He has made interventions in other areas such as tackling Lagos perennial traffic congestion through the construction of laybys, flyovers and pedestrian bridges.

I can’t forget my first day of driving through Ojodu-Berger in a bid to access the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. It was a detour I had to grudgingly make as that route is one I avoid like a plague for its notorious traffic.

But on this day, I had to take my chances as all alternative routes to access the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway through Agidingbi to connect Otedola Underpass were choked with traffic.

Surprisingly, the Ojodu-Berger axis was not only uncharacteristically free from traffic, I could’ve missed my way due to the changed landscape that followed the reconstruction of the area. The reconstruction had not only led to the removal of all traffic impediments, but saw to the expansion of the road.

There is no doubt that while Ambode had done well in the area of infrastructure, his performance has been average in other areas, especially in refuse disposal. Many residents are also not happy with his administration with the hike in Land Use charges.

However, as a property owner, I can say that the hike in the Land Use charges isn’t as hurtful as it was made to be, especially after the governor bowed to public outcry and ordered a review.

Although what I paid as Land Use charges is now far higher than what I had been paying in the last eight years, I don’t need to rob a bank or take a loan to pay up.

But his performance notwithstanding, there has been an intense campaign to ensure he doesn’t return in an election that is his to lose.

The governor has been accused of not deserving a second term for not servicing the greed of APC leaders in the state, among others.

But in all this, where stands the interest of the electorate who put in Ambode in office and whose welfare is the purpose of governance?

Unfortunately, the electorate are being railroaded to rally behind his main challenger for the post, Jide Sanwo-Olu.

Certainly the APC leaders are pursuing a selfish agenda which they’re deceitfully dressing as a push for better life for Lagosians.

For what it’s worth, Ambode might not have done well in all areas of governance, but he has performed well enough to earn a second term in office.

Those who’re pushing the argument that he should go and test his popularity at the party’s direct primary are being disingenuous in their advocacy. The direct primary, abinitio, has been rigged for him to lose.

That argument would have had any veneer of credibility if all other elective posts had been thrown opened for contest.

So far, I’m not aware that Senators Remi Tinubu and Adeola (Yayi) have any serious challengers for their tickets. That is so because the party establishment has decreed it be.

If it’s sauce for the senators and others, it should be sauce for Ambode.

There is no doubt that the political fortune of Ambode and President Muhammadu Buhari are tied together, which is the more reason why good reasoning should prevail in this matter. More worrisome to me is the economic impact of this needless impasse when all of us know that instability in Lagos would have spiral effects on the national economy.

It’s therefore morally and political expedient to allow the governor finish the good work he has been doing.

Ajayi, a journalist, writes from Lagos

Ambode is a FAILURE!!

Sub standard projects, poor quality jobs by thieving contractors, bloated figures, negligence, arrogance, defiance, dirtiness, sheepishly trying to copy New York.........its endless

And don't forget sacking and throwing a priest out of his residence the next day because his wife had to stand in line like everyone else.

And APAPA WHARF area

Ambode is a failure. Ambode is a scam!!
#AmbodeMustGo

now you just know that ambode is a failure like you said. Such a hypocrite and mischievous
Ambode is not a failure even tinubu can't say ambode is a failure. Jide sanwo olu not find anything to use against him. But to me ambode should not participate in the primary election otherwise he will trash out he should just go since his party don't want him again, after all to all not by force.

WetinConsignMe:
Ambode is a FAILURE!!

Sub standard projects, poor quality jobs by thieving contractors, bloated figures, negligence, arrogance, defiance, dirtiness..........its endless

And don't forget sacking and throwing a priest out of his residence thr next day because his wife had to stand in line like everyone else.

And APAPA WHARF area

Ambode is a failure. Ambode is a scam!!
#AmbodeMustGo

Couldn't have added anything.
Very unbiased and in-depth

WetinConsignMe:
Ambode is a FAILURE!!

Sub standard projects, poor quality jobs by thieving contractors, bloated figures, negligence, arrogance, defiance, dirtiness..........its endless

And don't forget sacking and throwing a priest out of his residence thr next day because his wife had to stand in line like everyone else.

And APAPA WHARF area

Ambode is a failure. Ambode is a scam!!
#AmbodeMustGo

All you have accused Ambo of same goes for Fash and Tinubu when they were governors.

If Tinubu tomorrow endorses Ambo everyone in Lagos will be signing his praises.

blackboy:


All you have accused Ambo of same goes for Fash and Tinubu when they were governors.

If Tinubu tomorrow endorses Ambo everyone in Lagos will be signing his praises.

Not true. People singing Ambo's praise were his paid media agents.
Now u are hearing voices of the real people, now we are paying attention because the elections are here.
Thiefnubú has nothing to do with it.

Those govs did not ignominiously throw a priest out of his only residence.

Ambode is a failure. Ambode is a scam!!
#AmbodeMustGo

Lipscomb:
now you just know that ambode is a failure like you said. Such a hypocrite and mischievous
Ambode is not a failure even tinubu can't say ambode is a failure. Jide sanwo olu not find anything to use against him. But to me ambode should not participate in the primary election otherwise he will trash out he should just go since his party don't want him again, after all to all not by force.

Ambode IS a failure. Be honest, is Lagos better, cleaner than when he took office?
BTW I'm judging him purely on his own merit...
Thiefnubú has nothing to do with it.

Ambode is a failure. Ambode is a scam!!
#AmbodeMustGo

Seems the author thinks Alimosho is the only local government in Lagos by which we should judge Ambode. Those of us that reside, work or do business along the Amuwo-Odofin to Ojo to Badagry axis don't know there is anything like a state government. I can't drive out of my area in Satellite Town anymore due to the tanker and trailer traffic, plus the horrid road network. Progressive deterioration and abandoned projects all along the Lagos-Badagry expressway that has brought so much hardship and suffering to those that ply that route: projects that Ambode inherited and rather than complete, chose to be commissioning bus-stops everywhere, building new flyovers and building god-knows-what in Oshodi. What surprises me is this is supposed to be a strategic route which runs through several communities, is an interstate road and also an international road. Anyone resident in these areas that casts one single vote for him are buffoons basically. Because he doesn't even know we exist.

Obi1kenobi:
Seems the author thinks Alimosho is the only local government in Lagos by which we should judge Ambode. Those of us that reside, work or do business along the Amuwo-Odofin to Ojo to Badagry axis don't know there is anything like a state government. I can't drive out of my area in Satellite Town anymore due to the tanker and trailer traffic, plus the horrid road network. Progressive deterioration and abandoned projects all along the Lagos-Badagry expressway that has brought so much hardship and suffering to those that ply that route: projects that Ambode inherited and rather than complete, chose to be commissioning bus-stops everywhere, building new flyovers and building god-knows-what in Oshodi. What surprises me is this is supposed to be a strategic route which runs through several communities, is an interstate road and also an international road. Anyone resident in these areas that casts one single vote for him are buffoons basically. Because he doesn't even know we exist.

Took the words right out of my mouth .Living in satellite is hell.

When is it time to for ambode to increase land use charge levys etc he will it spread round.But when it comes to infastructure He will face Ajah,lekki and
epe.

This man made it seems as if ikorodu is not part of Lagos again.

Epe that is a glorified village has good road network,but ikorodu roads are a big mess,foolish ambode we're waiting for you

WetinConsignMe:
Ambode is a FAILURE!!

Sub standard projects, poor quality jobs by thieving contractors, bloated figures, negligence, arrogance, defiance, dirtiness, sheepishly trying to copy New York.........its endless

And don't forget sacking and throwing a priest out of his residence the next day because his wife had to stand in line like everyone else.

And APAPA WHARF area

Ambode is a failure. Ambode is a scam!!
#AmbodeMustGo

OK Ambode is bad but APC is good?

We are voting PDP then. AGREED?

duality:


OK Ambode is bad but APC is good?

We are voting PDP then. AGREED?

ABA:

#AnybodyButAmbode!!

It is not about party.

Omololu001:
This man made it seems as if ikorodu is not part of Lagos again.

Epe that is a glorified village has good road network,but ikorodu roads are a big mess,foolish ambode we're waiting for you

So Epe should continue to remain glorified village coz they offended God shey?
Several years of brutal abandonment by successive administrations and you talk of Ikorodu like its a heaven different from Epe
Thank God for your proximity to greater Lagos, your fate would have been worse than that of Epe.

WetinConsignMe:


Not true. People singing Ambo's praise were his paid media agents.
Now u are hearing voices of the real people, now we are paying attention because the elections are here.
Thiefnubú has nothing to do with it.

Those govs did not ignominiously throw a priest out of his only residence.

Ambode is a failure. Ambode is a scam!!
#AmbodeMustGo

Ambode is now a failure.. From the best governor in Southwest to a failure.

Human being. Smh

udemzy101:


Ambode is now a failure.. From the best governor in Southwest to a failure.

Human being. Smh

Once again those were hypes from his agents and cosmetic projects. Now the people are finally paying attention.
And to cap everything he pulled that stunt with the priest.

LadiIshola:

So Epe should continue to remain glorified village coz they offended God shey?
Several years of brutal abandonment by successive administrations and you talk of Ikorodu like its a heaven different from Epe
Thank God for your proximity to greater Lagos, your fate would have been worse than that of Epe.

well the mumu ambode is about to be kick out,let mesee how the people of epe will safe him.

Ikorodu is far far better than that village called epe

Ambode is being hunted nt becus of his performance but cus of greed of some people, ambode, wike, obaseki and udom are the best performing governors in Nigeria, i hope lagosians wont regret this atlast

Omololu001:
well the mumu ambode is about to be kick out,let mesee how the people of epe will safe him.

Ikorodu is far far better than that village called epe

Whatever makes you sleep well. Arguing with you is inconceivable.

udemzy101:


Ambode is now a failure.. From the best governor in Southwest to a failure.

Human being. Smh

Those were his paid agents. Real people never said he is best Gov of anywhere. Ask people around satalite town, Apapa, Slere, etc. They live with his failure daily.
The Thief-nubu has little to do with it