₦airaland Forum

https://i48.tinypic.com/5nm62h.jpg


http://happylagosian..com/



Eko o ni baje lai lai,

Eko o ni baje lai lai,

I know it's some people's job to find faults and display needless bad bele, but there's no need to divert this thread with meaningless nitpicking and irrelevant argument. The fact is, the state is embarking on something great for the people of Lagos state/Nigeria. If they don't, we yell and cry and when they do, we still get petty and complain and find ways discredit needlessly.

edoyad:
On National Geographic they said Lagos could have a population of 15mil, would the transit system of 1mil suffice at all ?

Prob' not, maybe if complemented with comprehensive water transportation which the state is aggressively pursuing.

Mariory:
Trust someone to come here and find something wrong with this.

If you post it, they will come. That's a guarantee.

Unfortunately, they always do, especially if nothing better/little or nothing is going on in their necks of the wood. They have to say something to make themselves feel better about their sorry backside states,

paddy_lo:
now who says fashola aint the man. . . .

He is indeed the man of course.


https://i45.tinypic.com/35085f9.jpg



Eko akete Ile ogbon

Eko arosese majae ilu eko ko ya bu omi suru mu

Eko, aro mi sa legbe legbe

Ero ton wo eko elo fi okan bale tori fashola so ilu eko di tuntun!

Eko o ni baje o, infact, obaje ti.

“B’oju o ba ti Ehin’gbeti, oju o ni t’Eko


God Bless the Great State Of Lagos.

I expressed the same concern a few weeks ago, unfortunately, NL has settled in as a tribal forum and it ain't changing anytime soon.

A lot posters on NL sounds very immature, tribally sensitive, insecure, Ignorant of basic facts and are only interested in discussing via their tribal lenses.

Getting into discussions sometimes is nothing but a waste of internet time since every thread tends to degenerate an disintegrates along tribal lines especially with tribally insecure folks posting useless tribal threads and diverting good and meaningful threads to secure their daily tribal juice. I honestly think so it shall remain for obvious reasons.

WilyWily:
ribal
Yorubaland is the worst,
from Awolowo to Akintola, Ige to William.

What difference does it make and what sick joy do you fancy in dissecting and quantifying violence? Violence is violence and people die regardless where and how many. So the west is politically violent, what next? are you gonna hang that on your wall or walk around and beat your chest? It's sad how ridiculous and childish some of you get sometimes.

Sometimes I think Yoruba is what some of you really want to be because with all your unnecessary fixation and endless threads about Yoruba people, what time do you have left to worry about you and your people? It's like you guys don't get a good night sleep without getting your tribal Yoruba fix threads. Just look at the front page, there's at least 4 Yoruba threads, even way more sometimes.

The tribal insecurities, comparison and pettiness threads on this board is sickening.

No corner of Nigeria is Limited to political violence. Posting ridiculous tribal baiting nonsense like these makes you look stupid, ignorant and intellectually clueless,

Amnesty International Joint statement on increasing political violence in the run-up to elections

Allegations of politically motivated acts of violence, harassment and intimidation of political opponents and other citizens by individual members of state governments and political parties within the State Houses of Assembly have also been reported throughout the country. Political violence at state level has been particularly acute in Ebonyi, Anambra and Bayelsa States. For example, on 1 September 2002, Barnabas Igwe, president of the Nigerian Bar Association in Anambra State, and his wife were killed by a group of people armed with machetes. Barnabas Igwe had publicly opposed state-endorsed vigilante groups


www.amnesty.ca/resource_centre/reports/view.php">http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:bBwquYUG39oJ:www.amnesty.ca/resource_centre/reports/view.php%3Fload%3Darcview%26article%3D173+political+violence+anambra+killed&cd=6&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Nigerian clashes kill at least 9

By Estelle Shirbon

ABUJA (Reuters) - Fighting linked to next year's elections in Nigeria has killed at least nine people in two southern states in the latest politically motivated violence in Africa's most populous nation, local leaders said on Monday.

Gangs sponsored by two rival politicians from the town of Bodo in oil-producing Rivers state have been attacking each other with AK-47 rifles, machetes, axes and broken bottles over the past few days, a local community leader told Reuters.

"These are factional clashes between two cult groups who have the blessing of two Bodo politicians who have ambitions for 2007," said the leader, who did not wish to be named for fear or reprisals. In Nigeria, the word cult means gang.

"Seven of them have been murdered. The residents are hiding in their houses in terror," he added.

In the town of Nnewi in southeastern Anambra state, two policemen were killed in a raid on their station by dozens of attackers in military camouflage gear and bullet-proof vests, armed with automatic weapons, a civil society activist said.

"This is part of the activities of the political cabal in Anambra that does not believe in seeking the popular vote but uses criminals to intimidate the people," said Emeka Umeagbalasi, head of the local Civil Liberties Organization.

The attackers torched the police station, released prisoners from its cells, burned several vehicles and stole others, Umeagbalasi said. Newspapers reported two or three of the attackers were killed but it was impossible to confirm that.

PAID THUGS

Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999 after three decades of almost continuous military dictatorship, and the 2007 polls should mark the first time one elected government hands over to another through the ballot box.

However, violence remains a feature of political life. The use of paid thugs to intimidate opponents or voters is a common tactic by politicians in many of Nigeria's 36 states, while political assassinations have also occurred.

Rivers and Anambra are among states that have seen an increase in violence as the 2007 elections near.

In Rivers, in the Niger Delta, two politicians and one relative of the state governor have had their houses bombed by unknown attackers in recent weeks.

The delta has experienced a wave of militant attacks on oil facilities that have killed an unknown number of people and shut down a quarter of Nigerian crude production since February.

Violence in the delta, rooted in poverty and corruption, has been a problem for years. But activists say power struggles ahead of the 2007 elections have further inflamed the situation.

In Anambra, political violence has erupted sporadically since 2004, when the state governor fell out with his main sponsor. The two armed rival militias as the governor fought back against his ex-sponsor's efforts to oust him.

Earlier this year, a court ruled the 2003 elections were rigged and forced the governor to step down in favor of an opposition candidate.

But powerful figures from the ruling party are determined to recapture Anambra next year and the presence of numerous armed gangs in the state has created an explosive situation.
Story from REDORBIT NEWS:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/display/?id=585340

www.redorbit.com/news/international/585340/nigerian_clashes_kill_at_least_9/index.html+political+violence+anambra+killed&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a">http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:-SFuVKONDL0J:www.redorbit.com/news/international/585340/nigerian_clashes_kill_at_least_9/index.html+political+violence+anambra+killed&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a

Otobroto:
What has these got to do with topic of the thread? I guess you are one of the beneficiary of the tax system in Lagos. Remember, we are not against taxation, but the barbaric means of collection, the double taxation experienced, and the extreme high taxes, are what we are against. If you say, he is using the money for free education in Lagos, ask for Fashola, how much did he pay as school fees in Nigeria during his time? That is the answer!.

There's no need to get all bent up over nothing. What I posted clearly referenced taxes and the Governor making his case about taxes. Also, the topic of discussion clearly is about taxes and if for whatever reason, you find the info of no use to you, why not just move on, it's not like by force or I'm putting a gun to your head to read.

Lagos I believe is a capitalist state and if at the end of the day the state government made the wrong move about taxes, they'll feel it via the tax receipts, state bank account and business flight and make adjustment accordingly.  So far, developers have been getting away with absurd rental fees in the state, they basically over priced and over valued the real estate market. Even when the state wasn't taxing them, most of these developments charges well over 6-10 million naira a year and multiply that by 100 or more units/year then by ten years, were they giving the state a piece of the action? Of course not. The fact is, ask people to pay ten dollar tax and they'll still complain.

The fact that folks are here running mouth as if these useless developers gives a poo about you or the average Lagosian baffles me, they are not building their gated communities for you and me and we obviously can not afford them, their main targets are expats/multinationals, corrupt politicians, shady folks and they don't complain, they have more than enough money to throw at the developers. They've been making a killing for years and it's time for them to pay. When they build their expensive developments, they don't build their own roads, they don't build their own water works, sewage system, roads, erect their own street lights, they pass it on to the state.

These folks are building multi billion dollars properties every year and the state's yearly budget is only 2 billion dollars. How do you provide services for and look after 18 million people for just 2 billion dollars? How do you build roads, bridges, schools, run effective transportation system, waste management system, education system, health care system, maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure and still pay and maintain the state's civil service for just 2 million dollars?


The fact is, we see everyday what the state is doing with all the money and the state is a reference point in Nigeria and Africa in terms of development. We all know what the state was like just a little over 3 years ago. Other. states are sending their people to Lagos state for tutorials in development and public administration, Ghana and other African countries sent folks over.

Cross Rivers state's population is a little over 5 million and their budget for 2009 is 432 billion naira, more that Lagos state's budget with 18 million people and enormous service requirements, but look at the rate of development in Lagos state and Cross Rivers state, With just 5 million people and lower service demand in Cross Rivers, shouldn't that state be well ahead of Lagos in terms of development?

It's not by force to set up shop in Lagos state, the developers are free to go up north or east.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=162579

Winners Emerge in LIRS Essay Contest
By Funmi Ogundare, 12.22.2009

Winners have emerged in the second edition of the essay competition, organised by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), as part of activities to mark the third Lagos State Taxation Stakeholders' Conference recently.   
Announcing the winners at the event held at the Expo Centre, Ocean View, Lagos, Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Babatunde Fowler said the six winners in the junior and senior secondary categories emerged from the 2,000 entries received from 300 public and private secondary schools in the state. 

Onengiye Amachree of Aguda Senior Grammar School, Surulere emerged winner in the senior secondary category.  The second and third positions went to Prowess Mayro Richard Chukwu of Top Grade Secondary School, Surulere and Damilo Johnson of Western College, Yaba, respectively.

They all received the same prizes as winners in the junior category.
The topics for this year's essay competition for the junior secondary category was, 'Well equipped schools, good recreational centres, good hospitals, good roads, efficient transportation etc, tax payments make them possible' or 'All taxable adults should pay their taxes to ensure that Lagos State remains the centre of excellence as it becomes a mega city'. While the topic for the senior secondary category was 'Tax payments fund infrastructural development', or 'Good things don't come cheap. Prompt and accurate tax payment is vital to emerging Lagos'.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola admonished Nigerians to continue to pay their taxes so that they would continue to enjoy the social amenities such as that provided in the education sector by his administration. “Apart from the major road, rail and water infrastructural projects, education remains free, with free text books to make it work, classrooms are being built and school furniture provided on a large scale across the state.”

Master Amachree who emerged winner in the senior category thanked the state government for organising such forum, saying that it would enable students to know more about the essence of tax payment. He said he had to do a lot of research to be able to write on the topic and that his parents and teachers were also of immense help to him.

Nasir Imam

21 December 2009

The decision by the Nigerian Society of Engineers to confer an honorary fellowship on Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, Governor of Lagos state has been applauded by former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement from NSE's Head of Media and Publications, Ikenna Emeka Okpani, said the former Head of Sate took out time in his keynote address the 42nd National Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Society of Engineers held in Owerri to specifically refer to the award and described it as a recognition and honour. He said he was particularly delighted that he was receiving the fellowship with Governor Fashola whom he said had radically transformed Lagos metropolis into a truly modern city. "His administration has shown orderliness, protection of the environment, socio-economic and infrastructural development, good governance and respect for the citizens' right. If governments at all level were to follow in the path of Lagos State, I have no doubt Nigeria will, before we are much older begin to get its bearing right in the pursuit of human and economic development. We can be a country to be once again taken seriously by Nigerians and the international community" Gen. Buhari said.

He said, "if anybody deserves the honorary fellowship, it is Governor Fashola and I heartily congratulate him on the deserved recognition." He said the challenge facing the governor in Lagos were enormous but not insurmountable and expressed hope that if he continued in the way he was going , he would be leaving a lasting legacy of robust development that will ever endear him to Lagosians and set the right standards for his successors in office

http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200912210924.html

adekampe:
I implore everyone on this board to condemn this cynically myopic hypocrtitical lagosian. . . .the likes of you were screaming jimi agbaje in 2007. . .now ure hailing fashola. . .ure not progressive. . ure obviously a band wagonite. .

Tinubu gave us fashola. . .he has performed. . .the same Tinubu that gave us one of his loyal, diligent and hardworking 'boys' fashola can decide to give us another one of his other boys with the same above stated qualities in 2011 and if u do not want that to happen,register a party and fund fashola for re-election. . .instead of ranting from your mansion in lekki

Frictions happens in any political dispensation. Let's not get distracted, Lagos will be fine and the growth and prosperity shall continue regardless.

Season Greetings,

^^^I gave you more than enough audience. You nothing but a distraction and silly irritant.

I got some more stuff to keep you busy, you're on Ignore for now,



Comments:


* I thought the basis for impeachment move that Fashola bought Jets for himself or money meant for workers salaries are deposited in his UK or US accounts or all the BTR money has been diverted to his wife and children accounts Not knowing that because of beautification of Lagos and helicopters to combat crimes are given some people sleeplessness! Satan and HIS agents are surely at work in Nigeria!!!

Posted by: Babatunde Ayeni , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* fashola´s performance is above board obviously, the lawmakers might indeed have a skeleton in their cupboard, but should the governor remain at tinubu´s mercy ever?, objectivity is the ONLY key to development in our dear land because saints don´t exist anywhere there

Posted by: ´deolayinusa , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* Are these lagos law makers real human being? The issue they published does not merit their standard as law makers. Do they really love the people of lagos state? Have they taken bribe from PDP? Lagos state law makers are having hiding agendas.

Posted by: SAM SAM , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* It is unfortunate that this kind of distraction is happening in Lagos state. It is even more saddening that the assemblymen are the ones distracting the performing governor. Let them bury their differences and rally round Babatunde Raji Fashola. Afterall we all human. Let the house members look back and tell me any other governor in Nigeria that has done half of the governor has done for Lagos state. Eko oni bajeoooooooooooooo

Posted by: Abdul , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* why are you people so selfish and mindless. lagos has since been a point of refrence for genuine govenmental development. just because the governor is not dancing to the shameless and corrupt ways of a few disgrunted individuals,you are all meddling in what doesn''t concerns you. i used to respect Punch as a versed newspaper but seems you guys are not different to compass. leave the people''s governor alone to face his task. the man you''re aiding looted lagos to her bone marrow.see good in BRF

Posted by: yusuf afeez , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* Punch and her cohorts have this all wrong again, The helicopters where purchased using private funds drawn by the LASG Security Committee, the beautification of the streets is sponsored by private companies and not the govt. Does the governor need approval for private sponsorship? This is just preposterous gets your facts right Punch and dont be like Tribune Newspaper

Posted by: Michael Smith , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* Calling removal of governor Fashola is uncall for. Do you want to remove God sent "governor Fashola" and bring in devil''s agent to become governor. Honourable members of the House check other governors in Nigeria if they are comparable to Fashola in performance. Please Houourable members of the House drop the idea of impeaching Fashola. Fashola is a man of conscience. More kudos to Gov. Fashola.

Posted by: Iheanyichukwu , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* Rather Ironic and downright funny.A man who has been widely acclaimed,even by elements of the PDP, as the most pergorming governor in Nigeria is being hounded.You all go ahead and hang him.I saw this coming because his growing clout would cause some people sleepless nights.Obviously the best thing to do in Nigeria is to share state funds with party godfathers and lawmakers to the detriment of development.Fashola should even count himslef lucky if he is not killed or disgraced.

Posted by: OMOONILE , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* Let us face the facts. What was the purpose of buying the helicopters? to improve security and to save the lives of the masses., what is the purpose of decorating Lagos? To give the state and masses a befitting outlook. In everything one does in this life, you should always place the motive above any sentiment. Fashola is not a selfish governor looking at all the good works he has done in the state so far. We have regulators in this country that cannot start just an ordinary business center.

Posted by: Gabriel , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* In any democratic settings there is what we call principle of check and balance that states that each arms of govt should serve as watchdog on other and vice versa. However, by discharging this duty, public interest must be put above personal's. The state house is doing what it is constitutional obliged. They should not let this lead to crisis 'cause almost all Nigerians have strong support for A.C as a party in control and as major opposition to the PDP 'nest of vipers'

Posted by: Abdel karim Sanusi , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* When shall we as a people ever learn to be honest ? Today, it is Fashola because unhindered access to state vault is being greatly curtailed. Let everybody involved speed his impeachment and as well sign the death warrant of AC. they all think the issue is Fashola but, they are miskaten.

Posted by: adesinaolu , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

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* The group of legislators led by Ikuforiji and Kolawole Taiwo have a petition to impeach Fashola, signed but not dated. There was a meeting where the decision was finalized.

Posted by: JOLOMI , on Thursday, December 10, 2009

Afam:
Unfortunately, you are exhibiting the same trait that a typical Nigerian exhibits - inability to tolerate views that are not native to him/her.

To begin with I am a supporter of Fashola due to the work he has been doing in Lagos and if there is a need to vote for him I will gladly do so and campaign for him.

So, if you think my posts amount to disagreement with you based on your support for him then your level of reasoning must be abysmally very low and funny enough people like you are quick to accuse others.

But spending 95% of your posts on Fashola and the other 5% on Igbo bashing makes you a paid agent and a tribal bigot.

STFU,


Your opinion is absolutely irrelevant to me. Your wining is is not only stupid, it's absurd.

I'm not sticking a gun to your head to read my posts or paying me any attention. You don't pay my internet bill so why worry about what I do on the internet. If i want to talk abou Fashola till next year, it's my freeking business and if you prefer to talk about Obi of Onisha or whoever till you turn blue, that's your freeking business.


Is it paining you because you have not a single soul to be proud of in your community?

Dude or dudette, abeg keep quiet with your tribal baiting nonsense. Why even insert tribal here? Is this thread about fashola or me better than Igbo people or do you see anything Igbo till your dumb self showed up with your silly tribal nonsense?

You paranoid fools love to turn every damn thing tribal and find ways to insert Igbo into every benign posts and topics. Get out of here, this is not about you or Igbo people. You're really an irritant I swear.

Afam:
What can I say when over 95% of your posts are centered around Fashola. You are definitely up to something, simple.

My bad, didn't know the tin dey course you so much pain and misery. oya come make I add small.



[b]The Governor moves others by sheer personal dynamism. He has set a record of attendance at both official and social occasions. He remains professionally of consequence as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, visible on the intellectual terrain through the series of discourse on his website.

His contemporaries in the other states pay him the high compliment of emulation, and publicly commend his efforts. In fact, last year, he won the Best Governor of the Year organized by the National Leadership Award, and the newspapers are full of the acclaim of the populace from all parts of the Federation, and from different levels, high and low. Here is a sample of these unsolicited praises:

# Fashola diagnoses the problems and goes at it like a skilled mechanic. He wants to know what will work, and what will not work. He is transforming Lagos State ruthlessly because he is not a politician.
(Professor Wole Soyinka}


#There is hope in our future. Kudos and commendation to Governor Raji Fashola for his untiring efforts to truly make Lagos a centre of aquatic splendour.
(Pastor Tunde Bakare)

#Before assuming office in May 2007, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State had actually prepared himself for his new role. For this he can only achieve success. Whoever has Chief Obafemi Awolowo as his role model, and plays the role accordingly, can hardly fail.
(Betty Agbi, Benin City.)

# With due respect to governors of other states, I suggest they take a cue from what Raji Fashola is doing in Lagos, and replicate it in their different domains.
(Sule Mukthar, Kaduna.)


#Governor Babatunde Fashola is a man of his words. He keeps notes of every promise he makes in what he refers to as his Black Book. Is it therefore a surprise that he is such a distinguished performer, a man of focus, vision, development and achievement?
(Seun Ayodele, Ekiti.)

#One would not be wrong to say that Governor Fashola is the Barak Obama of Nigeria. This is because, in less than two years, he has given us reasons to hope for a better tomorrow. This is what past leaders of the State refused to do.
(Emeka Okafor, Enugu.)

#It will be extremely difficult for PDP to get Lagos back from the ruling Action Congress (AC) in 2011, as a result of the development policies of the present administration led by Mr. Babatunde Fashola. He has done a lot of things that he does not really need to campaign.
(Senator Bode Olajumoke)

I have to confess that those comments were not all picked at random, though the over-all idea was to project the multi-faceted perception of approval based on that singular theme of excellence.

But when you juxtapose the opinion of Professor Wole Soyinka that Governor Fashola is not a politician, with that of Senator Bode Olajumoke that the Governor hardly needs any campaign to retain his seat in Lagos State, you might appreciate this comment of Biodun Adebogun from Ibadan:

#Fashola is an enigma…He is a good example of what a leader should be.”
Mr. Adebogun perhaps would be just as close to the truth if, for “leader”, he had substituted the word, “politician”. I believe that in all, Governor Fashola is making a statement about the fact that those two positions are not mutually exclusive. I wish him a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.[/b]




Try no to slit your wrist or ill yourself because more still dey where this from com,

Afam:
Truth is bitter so I understand why you seem hurt. Be yourself and don't deny the paid job you are doing on this forum. A lot of us know.

It's not by force to sound like a dumb idiot. Act like you're capable of reasoning like a grown up sometimes.

^^^^^Must you run your mouth just for the heck of it?


The article I posted has nothing to do with my personal opinion and I didn't add nothing to it, just a news article for people to read. I failed to see where the article jumped from just a news article to my Love for Fashola and objectivity.



Don't you have to state an opinion before determining objectivity?


So, what objectivity have you shown before labeling me/my post?


You might want to start looking in the mirror before opening your mouth and spitting misguided rubbish.

@adekampe, relax, this is nothing but drama and preemptive tales written by loyalists from both camps.


Chill and enjoy the drama,

Revealed! Why Gov. Fashola Resigned twice in last six months

Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold. Turning and turning in the widening gyre. The falcon cannot hear the falconer. Mere anarchy is loosed upon the earth.”The above quotation is from the novel written by literary giant, Prof.
Chinua Achebe,

Things fall apart. It, perhaps, aptly captures the shenanigan and scheming that has pervaded the seat of power in Lagos State. And the war of attrition that will shake the foundation of Lagos State politics in 2011 has started in earnest. It is going to be a straight fight between the state Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, and his overbearing godfather and predecessor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is spoiling for a war over contract and political patronages.

What started as a minor disagreement between the duo over the award of contracts to the companies that Tinubu has substantial interest in or those of his cronies has snowballed into a battle royale.

Sources said that while Fashola wanted to follow due process in the award of the contracts, his godfather would not take that “nonsense.” On many occasions, Tinubu reportedly told the governor point blank that he spent billions to install him and that he must recoup the investment.

When it became obvious that Fashola was not the “robot” they thought he would be, some of the commissioners who are stooges of Tinubu, started undermining him. It became the norm for them to come to the weekly State Executive Council (SEC) meeting after the governor must have been seated, a trend that runs contrary to the order of protocol. Infuriated by this ugly trend, the governor was said to have locked out the Commissioner for Environment, Muiz Banire, for coming late to one of such meetings without prior notice.

When it dawned on Tinubu that his godson had weaned himself from his apron string and may not take nonsense from anybody, sources said, the battle shifted to the state House of Assembly where 35 members were relied upon to checkmate the governor and probably go for his jugular, if need be. But to his traducers' amazement, Fashola's seeming performance appeared to have endeared him to all and sundry. Beside the fact that the law provides that anything the lawmakers deem “gross misconduct” could not be faulted, they were afraid of swimming against the tide by moving against the governor whom they considered sufficiently popular to attract public sympathy.

Part of the intrigues, it was gathered, led to the fall of Funmi Tejuoso-Smith from her exalted position as the deputy speaker of the House of Assembly and the reprisal attack from her. Tejuoso-Smith engaged her successor, Bola Badmus Olujobi, in a show of shame within the Assembly complex after the presentation of the 2010 budget by Fashola two weeks ago. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the unassuming Speaker of the House, had passed comments that were considered out of place concerning Fashola. Ikuforiji warned Fashola to beware of sycophants. Sources said the remarks by the Speaker, who is seen as the “heir apparent or khalifa,” was to spite the governor. Indeed, his comments drew a loud ovation from Tinubu and his men in the assembly chamber.

Ikuforiji, in a bid to deal with Fashola, who has no right of reply after the budget presentation, said, “They will flatter you to no end. They will like to isolate you from your roots. They will want you to believe that your administration is the first in the world to hit the ground running and achieve like no one else. But like Danny K. Davies (Jnr), a United States Congressman told us at the convention of Eko Club International last month in Chicago and I quote: “Flattery is like a good perfume, it is to be smelt, not to be swallowed. You will be judged by the amount of resources at your disposal and the prevailing conditions and environment under which your government operated and what you make of those resources.”

Town hall meeting! What Is Ikuforiji up to?
The recent town hall meeting embarked upon by the Lagos State House of Assembly has continued to generate controversy and is already causing disaffection in the state. This stems from the innuendos that the arrowhead of the parley, Ikuforiji, has been accused by a section of the ruling party in the state, the Action Congress (AC), of using the forum to gain more followers and sensitise the people ahead of his governorship ambition in 2011. But before the recent tour, there were insinuations last year when the Speaker put together a micro credit scheme for his supporters in his Epe constituent that he was up to something.

The recent town hall meeting, which attracted a large number of the party's stalwarts and Tinubu, was described as a defining moment in the ambition of Ikuforiji to govern the state. He was said to have come off with the impression that the governorship ticket was up for grabs despite the power of incumbency that Fashola has and should enjoy. At the meeting, Tinubu, who was alleged to be grooming Adeyemi in case Fashola reneged on their agreement before he was chosen as the AC candidate in 2007, was infuriated that party supporters were hailing the governor who was not at the forum. Tinubu was quoted to have said that he coined the saying, Eko o ni baje, that has now become Fashola's slogan, threatening to change it if he so desired. He reportedly said these in reaction to the decision of some party members who shouted the slogan in appreciation of Fashola's achievements in the state. That incident, analysts believe, clearly sent out the message that Tinubu, who is seen as the political godfather of the AC in Lagos State politics, may have found a worthy son in Ikuforiji.

Besides, there is the other angle to the development in Lagos State. That is the fact that Tinubu has an unwritten political arrangement for Ikuforiji to contest in 2011 as a payback for passing the pension bill that makes the former governor to be on the same pedestal in terms of salary and allowances with the incumbent. Though he is not entitled to security votes, but sources within the party said that the N2.1 billion monthly commission paid to his consulting firm, Alphabeta, is well over the governor's security vote.

Ikuforiji on his own seems to be telling people that he might join the governorship race sooner than later. At the town hall meeting held at Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area recently, the Speaker laid it bare. Apparently reacting to those who have faulted his parley that it was meant to shore up his popularity in the state, Ikuforiji said that he is unmindful of those saying that the town hall meeting was a 2011 agenda. He said, “I will continue with the tour irrespective of what people say and we are not unmindful of those who are saying that it was part of 2011 governorship campaign.”

But a source said, “If there was nothing to it, why is the town hall meeting being held in all the 20 local government councils? This should have been held in the three senatorial districts or better still the five divisions that make up Lagos instead of having it in all the 20 constituents. The situation is compounded by the fact that the recent statement credited to Tinubu after the Ibeju-Lekki rerun election has also exposed him to attack by those who felt he should have known when silence is golden. What did he want to achieve by saying that the PDP (the Peoples Democratic Party) won fair and square? Was he trying to placate (President Umaru) Yar'Adua who many say is angry with him? Indeed, the timing of that statement was said to have infuriated many who had thought that the former governor has let them down.”

The import of the town hall meeting was not lost on Fashola who confided in some of his loyalists that his predecessor could not have allowed such under any guise. To show his disdain for the tour, the governor put together a one-day economic summit to feel the pulse of Lagosians.

Again, the statement credited to Tinubu last year during the local government election was instructive. At the stakeholders meeting convened to reconcile some aggrieved aspirants, Tinubu told the bewildered crowd of party supporters that Fashola was not a card carrying member of the AC when he made him the governor. The party stalwarts, who were then opposed to the emergence of Demola Doherty as the chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, were forced to eat the humble pie. Today, Doherty is the chairman. He won without going through the primaries, courtesy of the godfather. This has also heightened tension in the AC that there may be surprises in the offing as the 2011 general election draws near.

Tinubu's confirmation about the cold war
At last, Tinubu had confirmed the obvious that indeed all is not well between him and Fashola. Although Tinubu had, some months ago, as a preemptive strike, paid Fashola a courtesy visit at the State House in Ikeja where he debunked the rumour making the rounds that some contractual agreement in the state had caused a bad blood between them. He attributed the rumoured crisis to the PDP that he accused of planning to take over the state at all cost.

But Tinubu had hardly left the State House when another tsunami swept its first victim, Tejuoso-Smith, like a volcanic eruption. She was removed in a controversial manner. Even Ikuforiji, who was alleged to be close to tears because of the turn of events in the House, which had hitherto enjoyed good working relationship, admitted that his hands were tied.

Was it a sheer coincidence that Tejuoso-Smith was impeached the day Tinubu travelled to the United Kingdom to see his children? Informed sources within the Alausa seat of power said the treatment meted to Tejuoso-Smith was meant to send a strong signal to some people that though they may be in power but they are not in charge. This was premised on the fact that despite the alleged overbearing attitude of Tejouso-Smith over the year, her colleagues have chosen to work with her. In fact, when she went with Banire to beat up the Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Seye Oladejo, a protégé of Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon at the Acme Secretariat of the AC, the House did not sanction her for making it the laughing stock of the public as its principal officer.

Besides, sources within the state government insisted that those who are underrating Fashola in the supremacy battle with his former boss would soon know who actually holds the ace. The sources, who craved anonymity, maintained that Tejuoso-Smith was axed because of her loyalty to Banire and Tinubu and not the other way round. The source said, “What people don't know is that Fashola may be humble but those who thought he would be a robot to do their bidding would soon know that he is a SAN with a sound mind. If it is true that Tejuoso-Smith had joined Fashola's caucus, why then did Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola and Cardinal Omolaja Odumbaku make spirited efforts to reinstate her? At least these are known Tinubu die hard loyalists. Why did they come to beg the House to reverse itself barely 12 hours after the removal of the deputy speaker?”

Will Banire dare Fashola?
Before the resignation of Segun Ayobolu last Monday, sources further disclosed that Fashola would soon follow with the sack of some commissioners, especially those considered as Tinubu's loyalists. It was said that this was to send the warning signal that contrary to the insinuation that he was not in charge, he actually holds the ace. To this end, some commissioners last week pledged their loyalty to Fashola and have also promised to stand by him come rain or sunshine. One of the commissioners, a former prominent member of the PDP, who is the head of a ministry that is very dear to the heart of the governor, told those who cared to listen that Tinubu's attempt to continue dominating the politics of the state would fail.


Stay tuned for Episode 012.

redsun:
Akpabio is the same guy that is involve recent money laundry with the bank lady if i am not mistaking,while the petroleum minister is in charge of a ministry that can't give account of nigerian oil revenue or keep a refinery running in nigeria.Same inglorious bastards are short listed for thief of the year award,rogue state.

It's called paid image laundering ,

lmao, I'm sure they know Fashola go send am back.


Remember when Fashola kicked back This day's newspaper award telling them to shove it and go pay their taxes?

whatalife:
In my state the Nigeria union of journalist (NUJ) has a bar where the state govt provides the beers and suya these journalist consume everyday free of charge .How will such journalist not be corrupt and report conflicting views about event in the country.
God help this country call Nigeria

lmao. they need to bulldoze that country and start from scratch,

prettyG:
You are a real bushman. Let us assume that you are correct (but you are not sha). The power consumption in one US home would be a lot more than the power consumption in the average Akwa Ibom home because of all the added devices they have, central heating, central air-conditioning, automated waste disposal, multiple refrigeration, how many homes in Lagos have all of these?

Mumu.

Look at this olodo lack of no comprehension. who's talking about Akwa Ibom? You see anything like Akwa Ibom inside my post or was the person I quoted even talking about Akwa Ibom.


Abeg shatap and go peddle your no info post else where, it's not by force to drop knowledge .

blacksta:
My dear friend  11 megawatts is a lot of electrcity

in the mid-western US with central air conditioning, 11 MW can supply any of these:

- 3,000 average homes with central air --. (assumes 5 kW per home)
- 150 fast food restaurants
- 30 large retail stores
- 15grocery stores
- 15 large home improvement stores
-1 Sears Towers
- 1 computer data center

Please bear in mind Nigerians dont use as much electricity as the U.s  so you can double above effort

Talking rubbish no dey taya you? 11 MW no fit power more than 1500 average US homes.

You guys missed all the BS in the article.


This is straight PDP nonsense. I think the interpretation here is "PDP states are free to bypass the National grid, keep whatever they generate while non PDP states with same IPP power projects like Lagos bares the ridiculous National grid crap burden. This is nothing but another silly campaign strategy.

The minister acknowledged that the project would raise the standard of living while the airport would open up the state to the international community. Akpabio, who commended his predecessor, Attah, for initiating the project, said he completed it in fulfillment of one his campaign promises to improve the lives of citizens in the state. He recalled that during the elections, the people massively voted for him hence the need to do more for them to reciprocate their kind gesture.

lol @ 11 MW, somebody is tripping.

Dumb ass PDP silly games, Idiots.


Good for A. Ibom sha,

Eziachi:
And the reason Nigeria is in a gutter or a laughing butt of a nation today and forever recyclers of useless leaders is because the likes of you that don't have obsession for history.
Only nations that have the sense of history prevents history repeating itself. Every election in the U.S, your so-called fleet street journalism will go deeper to dig up the the chararters and past lives of those trying to get their mandate, so that their people will know whom they will be casting their vote for in order to make an informed decision. But in Nigeria, they hated history because it makes them uncomfortable.
That is why a junta guy is today your senate president making democratic laws. Your president is there because his big brother was once a beneficiary of military coups, your immediate past president was a party to that suspended a democratic constitution and ruled by decree. And 90% of your present rulers are either part of the past junta or their apolpogists and servants. Just because you don't have fleet street mentality to dig out the past, in order to avoid repeating the past.

You're of course free to bury your head a million miles deep in your so called history and spend your days immersed in the past while others troops along, take giant strides and significantly progress. It's your choice, you guys are used to it.

Btw, that was the lousiest analogy ever,

Aloy~Emeka:
And  Chinelo's words suddenly turn from a personal opinion to a general one?. That means that every opinion of any Yoruba journalist is true. It doesn't matter how crass it sounds. Anambra situation is no worse than Ekiti which claimed the lives of many. Last time I checked, Anambra's political turmoil is yet to record any assassination but Ekiti, lagos are havens for political assassinations unlike any other region in Nigeria. Should Anambrarians turn to bloodshed before your likes will start respecting them?. Nobody is turning it into a caricature for egbe omo yoruba except of course your low class minions from other tribes, example MekusXXX.

Agbakoba don turn Yoruba journalist? Oga sir, na you biko. lmao.