“I take this declaration to be the next Governor of Lagos very seriously. As we all embrace change let us enrol for action.” – Akinwunmi Ambode
So, my son says to me, “Daddy, do you know Ambode?”
I said yes.
“His son is in my class and he says his father will be the next Governor of Lagos state. Is that true?”
I said most likely and then had to explain what ‘most likely’ meant.
Up until about four months ago, nobody, except those familiar with the Lagos state government machinery knew who Akinwunmi Ambode was. That was until the rumour began to circulate that he had been anointed by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed Babatunde Raji Fashola.
Many said he used to be an accountant in the employ of the Lagos state government, had retired and was now on his way to Lagos house.
Since the rumour became news and was made flesh thanks to the rash of posters of Ambode all over Lagos state, the name has become so common place as to be a household one.
With today’s declaration, only a klutz living under a rock will not know who Akinwunmi Ambode is.
What makes Ambode stand out?
He has a lovely smile for one and his name sticks which is usually a plus for politicians; the more arcane the name, the better for name recognition. Personally, I would vote for Ambode just on account of his name. Ambode has a nice ring to it.
Another reason could be the fact that, just like Fashola, he is not one of the usual suspects, the perennial candidates, who dust off their pictures and print posters every four years. This is a technocrat, a political mandarin versed in governance.
But if like Shakespeare wrote, a rose by any name would still be a rose, does a name really matter? Not really.
So, what makes Ambode, the man? Well, because Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is involved.
Democracy privileges the majority over the minority or it ought to but in Nigeria, the reverse is often always the case. We select more than we elect and which is reason why the states are all in a turmoil over who succeeds whom.
It is no less different in Lagos.
Many say that Fashola feels that as governor for eight years he should have a say in who continues the ‘good work’ he has done. Many names have been put forward with the most prominent being a fellow Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Those in the know say there may be some bad blood between Fashola and the man who anointed him and made it possible for him to rule Lagos for 8 years. That man is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Awo-like visionary who founded and holds sway over the APC.
Before Fashola’s famous ‘Baba ni governor’ campaign broke courtesy the late Sesan Ogunro, very few Lagosians know who he was. True he was already a Senior Advocate of Nigeria who had helped Lagos state government with their case against Obasanjo. True, he had displayed some of the smarts that would help him transform Lagos when he eventually became governor as Secretary to the state government but those where positions to which he had been appointed in advisory capacities. No one knew what he would do and how well he would perform if appointed Governor and Chief Executive Officer of Lagos state.
Well, no one except Bola Ahmed Tinubu and as the story goes, not many people were thrilled when he put Fashola forward as his choice for governor.
Now, imagine if those nay-sayers had prevailed, would we have had the performing governor we have all come to know and love. The answer you will agree would be a big no.
So, if Tinubu got it right with Fashola, why don’t we let him lead us to another anointed protégé who will continue the good work Fashola has done?
This is I suppose is the million dollar question whose answer is floating in the wind.
Ambo2015!!!
Toni Kan is editor-in-chief of Sabi News. He is also editorial board member of The Trent. He is an award winning author, journalist, and enterpreneur. He tweets from @tonikan11. Sabi News is on Twitter @sabinewsnaija.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
