Encomium
IT is becoming very clear that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the godfather of Lagos politics may have anointed Mr. Dapo Akinwunmi Ambode, the former Accountant General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Lagos State, as Fashola’s successor.
Even though Tinubu himself has not publicly said this, events in the last few weeks seems to suggest so.
The first event that showed that Mr. Ambode is going to be Tinubu’s choice as Fashola’s successor was on March 29, 2014, during Tinubu’s 62nd birthday colloquium at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
After Tinubu’s speech at the event, many guests at the occasion went forward to congratulate him. Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was one of them.
As he stepped forward to exchange pleasantries with Tinubu, Tinuu was overheard telling some guests which includes General Muhammed Buhari, that Ambode is going to be Fashola’s successor.
City People magazine award of April 27, 2014, also provided another pointer to the fact that Mr. Ambode is being positioned for something greater in the state.
Ambode was given an award by the magazine for his contribution to the development of the state. The surprising thing at the award was that not less than 30 chairmen of local government areas and local council development areas, came to the venue to give him support.
Again, on Saturday, May 10, 2014, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was inducted as a member into Epe Club at the Club House in Epe. Virtually all the political and traditional leaders in Epe were at the occasion. Alhaji Shakirudeen Seriki, a.k.a Bamu, the political leader was there. So, was Alhaji Lanre Rasaki, a.k.a KLM, who, as a matter of fact, inducted Mr. Ambode into the club by virtue of his position as the president.
Alhaji Adisa Osiefa, the owner of Addidas Hotel, Lagos and a prominent personality in Epe was the one who introduced Mr. Ambode to other members of the club on that day.
Justice George Oguntade, who was represented by his first son, was the chairman of the occasion. The traditional rulers at the occasion include Oba Akeem Okunola Adesanya, Alara of Ilara (who made a speech to the effect that Mr. Ambode is a bonafide son of Epe), Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, the Oloja of Epe, Oba Shefiu Olatunji Adewale, the Olu of Epe.
Again, Mr. Akeem Sulaimon, a.k.a Oriz, the chairman of Bariga LCDA and the chairman of Conference 57 (euphemism for all the 57 LG/LCDAs in Lagos State) led 15 other LG/LCDA chairmen to the induction ceremony.
ENCOMIUM Weekly gathered that the induction ceremony was basically to dispel the rumour that Mr. Ambode is not from Epe division of Lagos State.
What took place in Epe on Saturday, May 10, 2014, was child’s play to what happened on Thursday, May 15, 2014, at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event though was tagged a book launch, it was an open endorsement of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as the governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 elections. This much was said by Oba Rilwan Akiolu in his speech at the well attended event. Oba Akiolu who spoke extempore both in Yoruba and English languages said to the effect that what they have come to do at the Civic Centre was not book launch but to show to everyone the person who will take over from Mr. Babatunde Fashola as the next governor of Lagos State.
He said APC may still go ahead to do their primaries but they the elders, traditional rulers in the state have chosen Ambode. According to him, “Only God chooses leaders. You will still go for your party primaries to pick your candidate, but what God and elders say must be held sacrosanct. When you see a weedling dancing on water, what is making it do so is underneath. I have not been found often coming out to speak outside, it is an Oba that we crown not age.
“For me, Osuolale Aremu, a son of Ewekoro traditional ruler, will not come and become a governor where I am. I am not afraid to say that and I don’t hide my feelings.”
Oba Akiolu also debunked the rumours making the rounds that Ambode was not from Epe in Lagos but Ilaje in Ondo State. He went further, “When the APC leader, Bola Tinubu chose Governor Babatunde Fashola in 2007 to succeed him, it was met with stiff opposition but today Tinubu has been justified.
“We see a similar character like Governor Fashola in Ambode,” the Oba said.
At the book launch, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was represented by Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, the former Solicitor-General in Lagos State, while Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) was represented by Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, SSG.
Aside the local government chairmen who were there in full force, other dignitaries at the occasion include Professor Yemi Osibajo, Senator Fashinro, Mr. Ayo Opadokun and all the traditional rulers in the state.
ENCOMIUM Weekly gathered that the local government chairmen who have been supporting Mr. Ambode at all these social events are doing so on the order of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who called them into a meeting where he told them laconically that Ambode is his choice as the next governor of Lagos State.
We gathered that Asiwaju also called other aspirants to inform them of his choice and for them to stop their campaign. But when we sent text messages to all of them, those who responded to our text denied Asiwaju calling them.
For instance, our text message to Mr. Obafemi Hamzat read thus: (1) Is it true that Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu has called you to inform you of his choice and that you should drop your governorship ambition for his choice, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode? (2) Is it also true that Oba Rilwan Akiolu wrote you personally that you cannot be the governor of Lagos in his lifetime? (3) What is your response to Oba Akiolu’s statement that the son of an Oba in Ewekoro cannot become a governor in Lagos State?
His response: “Both first and second question are absolutely NOT TRUE. As for the statement attributed to Kabiyesi, God’s Will shall be done. Thanks.”
Our text message to Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji read thus: (1) Is it true that Asiwaju Tinubu called and told you to drop your governorship ambition for Mr. Ambode his choice candidate? (2) What is your response to Oba Akiolu’s comment to the effect that Mr. Ambode will be Fashola’s successor in Lagos State?
His response: “Tolani, good day. I’m not in the country. I’m on Umrah. When I get back on Tuesday, I’ll see Kabiyesi. God is in control.”
The same questionnaires that we sent to Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji was sent to Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Dr. Leke Pitan. It was only Dr. Leke Pitan who responded and his response read thus: “Answer to Question. (1) No. (2) Reactions by the overwhelming majority of the good people of Lagos State have nullified the second event you mentioned and hence overtaken the question. God bless.”
– TOLANI ABATTI
