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Anxiety as Lagos Assembly shifts resumption date

THERE is palpable anxiety among politicians, particularly those eyeing cabinet membership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State over the shift in date of resumption of plenary by Lagos House of Assembly from Monday, September 7, 2015 to Monday, September 14, 2015.

The reason for the anxiety is not far-fetched.

The rumour mill had it that when the lawmakers resume plenary on Monday, September 7, 2015, they will be screening the commissioner nominees of the governor.

So, many of the nominees, their supporters and others who are not sure whether their names are on the list or not have been waiting with bated breath for Monday, September 7, 2015.

Therefore, the sudden shift in the resumption date of the lawmakers has certainly increased the anxiety among the commissioner nominees and interested parties.

ENCOMIUM Weekly gathered that the management of the Assembly shifted the resumption date because of the renovation going on in some of the offices within the complex.

We also gathered that the reason for the shift maybe connected to some members of the Assembly who are billed to attend a particular function in London between Monday, September 7 and Friday, September 11, 2015.  We gathered that the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, is likely to lead some other members on the London trip.

Speculations have been rife about those who are likely to make Governor Ambode’s cabinet list.  Amongst such names are:

FOLARIN COKER, a.k.a Folly Coker, the former Deputy Chief of Staff to Asiwaju Tinubu, former Managing Director, Lagos State Number Plate Production Authority and lately former Special Adviser to Gov. Fashola on Central Business District. We gathered he may be the next Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development.

PAUL ADEBOYE KALEJAIYE, the former Special Adviser to Asiwaju Tinubu on Education, former Special Adviser on Rural Development to Fashola and a prominent member of Governor Ambode Campaign Organisation. Mr. Kalejaiye had twice won House of Representatives ticket but was prevailed upon by the leadership of the party to step down for someone. We gathered he may head the Ministry of Agriculture as the Commissioner.

HON. LOLA AKANDE is a two-term member of Lagos House of Assembly between 2007 and 2015, representing Ikeja Constituency II.

The immediate elder sister of Senator Oluremi Tinubu was eyeing the Ikeja Federal Constituency seat of House of Representatives when she was prevailed upon to step down for the incumbent, Hon. James Faleke.

She is likely going to be the next Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

ENGR. GANIYU JOHNSON is the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure during Asiwaju Tinubu’s tenure.  He later became the Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure to Fashola.  He was to be the substantive Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure during the second term of Fashola when on the swearing in day his name was replaced with that of Dr. Femi Hamzat.  He is most likely to occupy the same seat that eluded him in 2011.

GBOLAHAN LAWAL, the former Aide-de-Camp to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, when he was governor of Lagos State. He later became Senior Special Assistant to Fashola on Fishery before he was made Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperative during Fashola’s second term.

If what we are getting is anything to go by, he is likely to be the next Commissioner for the Environment, replacing Tunji Bello, who is now the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

HON. ABDULLATEEF ABDULKAREEM is a former member of Lagos House of Assembly from 2003-2007, representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II.

In Fashola’s first term in 2007 to 2011, he was appointed Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Powers.  An astute lawyer and the leader of the faithful, he has since 2003 been the Chief Imam of Lagos House of Assembly mosque.  He’s currently the Amir Hajj of Lagos State.  He played a major role in rallying the faithful to support Governor Ambode during the elections. He is likely to be appointed the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture.

DAYO MOBEREOLA is the Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). The graduate of Transport Economics from University of Wales, Cardiff who has been the brain behind the BRT buses is likely to be appointed the next Commissioner for Transport.

IDOWU AJANAKU, a former journalist with The Guardian Newspaper, he was also a Senior Special Assistant to Fashola on Public Affairs. He later became a personal aide of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode before and during the elections. He is likely to be among those in charge of Ministry of Information and Strategy.

PROFESSOR ADEMOLA ABASS, a Professor of International Law and Head of Programmes and Research Fellow in Peace and Security and Capacity Building at the United Nations University Comparative Regional Integration Studies (UNU-CRIS).  He was also a member of Governor Ambode transitional committee.

He is likely to head the newly created Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment. 

HON. (MRS.) ADEBIMPE AKINSOLA, the immediate past member of Lagos House of Assembly, representing Ikorodu Constituency II.  The former French teacher is likely to be appointed the Commissioner for Tourism.

SULAIMON ORIYOMI, a.k.a Oriz, is the three time chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and the Chairman of Association of Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria (ALGON), Lagos State chapter.

He is likely to be appointed Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs in the state.

HON. RAMOTALLAHI AKINOLA-HASSAN is the immediate member of Lagos House of Assembly representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency II.  She is likely to be made a Commissioner or Special Adviser in the cabinet.

GBOYEGA ADEBAYO-SALVADOR is the former Special Adviser to Fashola on Parastatals Monitoring Office (PMO). The chartered accountant and Fellow Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, is also said to make Ambode’s commissioners list.

ADENIYI KAZEEM, a prominent member of Governor Ambode’s Campaign Committee, is also likely to make the commissioners’ list.

MOHAMMED KABIRU, a Senior Special Assistant to Fashola, is also being touted as one of those that made Ambode’s commissioners’ list.

  • TOLANI ABATTI
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