Akinwumi Ambode was born on June 14, 1963 in Epe, into the family of Mr Festus Akinwale and Mrs Christianah Oluleye Ambode. He attended St. Juda's Primary School, Ebutte Meta, from 1969 – 1974, Federal Government College, Warrior, from 1974-1981, University of Lagos, from 1981-1984, where he studied Accounting. He had Master's degree in Accounting from the same University. He further attended Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania and other world class Institutions.

Ambode became the Assistant Treasurer in Badagry Local Government in 1988. He moved to Shomolu Local Government in 1991 as an Auditor. He later served as Council Treasurer in Alimosho and Shomolu Local Governments. In 2001, he became Auditor General for Local Government, Lagos State, first in acting capacity, before he was subsequently confirmed by the State House of Assembly. In 2005, the Chartered Accountant rose to the position of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance. He eventually became the Accountant General of Lagos State in 2006. His reign as Accountant General made remarkable financial performance.

At the age of 49, and after 27 years in active service, the Epe born Accountant voluntarily retired in 2012. He thereafter founded Brandsmiths Consulting Limited to provide public finance and management consulting service to government at all levels, including agencies and parastatals.

Against the run of play, Akinwumi Ambode won the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for Lagos State 2015 governorship election. He eventually defeated his close rival, Jimi Agbaje of Peoples Demcratic Party (PDP), with about 150,000 votes to succeed Babatunde Fashola, as the Executive Governor of the State of Excellence.

Ambode's achievements in the office in the past three and half years as compiled by “The Explains Lagos Initiative” are as follow: backlog payment of #11billion as arrears to retirees of the State government, safety Arena in Oshodi, completion or close to completion of 300 Local Government road projects, reposition of Lagos State Emergency Agency (LASEMA), launched amnesty period for land/property owners to obtain/regularize building permits, commenced construction of 10-lane Oshodi-Murtala Muhammad int'l Airport road, competed palliative repair work on section of Lagos-Badagry Expressway between Eric Moore and Okokomiko.

Also, his administration established Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), acquired equipment worth more than #5 billion for State Police Command and Rapid Response Squad, launched the Bus Reform Initiative, launched the “Lagos to the World (#L2W)” global campaign, employed 1300 teachers into Primary education system and free medical services to 700 survivors of domestic and sexual violence, presented #500 million in Grants to 257 Community Development Association, Installed Skywalk Bridge to link Terminal 1 & 2 at Oshodi Bus Terminal, upgraded Alfred Rewane Garden in Ikoyi, established #25 billion Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, commenced development of #49 billion public private partnership Medical Park in Ikoyi, redesigned Lekki-Epe Expressway, and launched Ready-Set-Work.

Others are the launched Lagos State Traffic Information System (LATIS), launched Code Lagos, annual hosting of Lagos City Marathon, received Presidential approval for handover of National Stadium to the Lagos State, upgraded 14 flagship Primary Healthcare centres (PHCs), constructed Flyover Bridges for Ajah and Abule-Egba areas and multiple lay-by, established special Taskforce to clear Apapa-Oshodi expressway of Trucks, rebranded and expanded the Lagos Countdown into the One Lagos Fiesta, established three new fire service stations, completed Ojodu-Berger Flyover Intersection; 21 roads & two bridges, established Relief Resettlement Camps, established Office of Overseas Affairs & Investment, developed the Strategic Plan for Accelerated Agricultural Growth (SPAAG), collaborated with Kebbi State to produce LAKE (Lagos-Kebbi) Rice, launched in partnership with private sector, the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI), and signed into law the landmark Lagos State Electric Power Sector Reform law.

Despite many achievement of his government in the past three and half years, Akinwumi Ambode struggled in vain to secure second term ticket from his party. The ticket was however handed over to the former Commissioner for Establishment and Pension, Mr. Jide Sanwo-Olu.

In the built up to APC primaries in Lagos, the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in one of his posts on his twitter handle, as reported by PM News on September 30, 2018, Asiwaju accused Ambode of being selfish and deviating from the development of Lagos State.

Below are list of 21 sins alleged committed by Ambode against APC leaders as compiled by “Star Connect Media” and published on September 19, 2018. They include: refusal to receive CAN protesting against Fulani herdsmen, sack of PSP operators, slashing of approval limit for Commissioners, conversion of government property into office for Visionscape, refusal to fund APC, arrogance & refusal to honour elders of the party and stoppage of Badagery expressway.

Others are sack of Deux project, abandonment of LAGBUS BRT, abandonment of Fashola projects, refusal to pay debts owed contractors by his predecessor, refusal to pay political appointees who worked for Fashola but brought into government by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, refusal to receive protesters, keeping government house away from commoners by extending the gate beyond Lagos House of Assembly, refusal to patronise the media, non-receptive commissioners and special advisers, refusal to heed advice of the Oba of Lagos to refrain from vendetta, increment of Land Use Charge, flooding resulting from blockade of drainage channels and consequent emergence of bad roads, scrapping of LAWMA, lack of respect for LASTMA, and lawlessness on Lagos roads.

In addition to the above presumed sins of Ambode, the controversial sack of Chaplain of Chapel of Christ the Light, over anointing service drama stands out.

Though, Ambode might have lost out of the struggle of renewing his mandate for second term, come 2019, the Chartered Accountant turned Politician has won the hearts of many Lagosians. His courage to fight to the very end against all odd is enviable. The governor has written his name boldly in gold with some of his achievement in office. History will not forget him in hurry. Indeed, Akinwumi Ambode is a once and future king of Lagos State.

http://www.olamilite.com/2018/10/akinwumi-ambode-once-and-future-king-of.html?m=0#more

Abegi

The Rise and Fall.