GOVERNOR FASHOLA GOOFED ON THIS ONE By Iyke Nwambie One of the characteristics of truth is that it is constant all the time, no matter how much we attempt to bend it, but falsehood on the other hand will become inconsistent when ever we try to apply it to other concepts. Take for instance, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state who despite leaving the account of Lagos state in dent to the tune of several trillions of Naira is generally acclaimed to be an excellent governor by most people. While the purpose of this article is not to question that, because I already know that in a land where the Tinubus of this world reign either directly or indirectly, the political atmosphere of such an environment is usually programed to be blind in nature and we also know that in the land of the politically-blind a one-eyed man is considered king in terms of performance, either real or quasi-measured in nature. But the purpose of this article is to enable Nigerians to analyze this statement that was made by Governor Fashola while campaigning for the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Ambode. According to the Governor: ...the task of governing Lagos State was daunting and needed vigour on the part of the person at the helm of affairs, RECALLING that in 2007 when he took over governance at age 44, he could count the number of grey hair on his head. “Today, at 52, I am counting the number of black hair on my head. Akinwunmi Ambode is the man that can do it. If you put an old man there, he cannot do it. If you call him in the night, he may not pick your calls... ( Tribune , January, 15, 2015)” Now, is it not funny that this same Governor Fashola (SAN) who is now questioning the capability of Mr Jimi Agbajes performance on the basis of age (Jimi Agbaje is 58) has been going around campaigning for the APC Presidential flag- bearer, General Buhari who is 72 years old already. This position is not only paradoxical in nature as some have described it, it is also ludicrous in my humble opinion. What Governor Fashola is indirectly saying is this: A man of 72 is strong and vibrant enough to oversee the whole of Nigeria, even if that man is already manifesting the basic signs of old- age...like forgetting the correct names of his running mate that he sees daily and talks to daily...but a man of Jimi Agbajes physical stamina at 58 years is considered too old to lead a single state like Lagos state. While this postulation by Governor Fashola might make a great headline in the world of political flip-flopping, let me also add that what Governor Fashola has inevitably conveyed to Nigerians is that he really does not believe in General Buharis capacity to function at an optimal frequency. Also, Governor Fashola described Mr Jimi Agbaje as a rookie in a town hall meeting while campaigning for Mr Ambode. According to Governor Fashola, Ambode has experience having been the Accountant-General of the state for the past six years... But the question that that statement triggers in our mindset is that an Accountant who could watch the accounts of a state run into a debt tune of several trillions, will certainly get that debt ratio into murkier waters if allowed to lead the whole state, having been endorsed by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu whose companies have served as a major financial conduit pipes draining the large financial coffers of Lagos state. But I am no longer worried about that because the right-thinking people of Lagos state, who obviously are in the larger majority, understand that the first step to liberate Lagos state from the personal pockets of the Tinubus of this world is to vote- out his endorsed candidates. They know that Mr Jimi Agbaje, an entrepreneur extraordinaire, a Pharmacist of immense sagacity, a man with an uncommon passion to showcase exemplary leadership will be used by God to liberate Lagos state from these financial hackers and Sharks. I saw Mr Jimi Agbajes exemplary leadership strategy at work years ago, when he was the Lagos State Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria. It is on record that Mr Agbaje drove his then brand new Volvo car himself, round about every Pharmacy store in Lagos state on inspection tours to ensure that standards were met and enforced. That to me, is the kind of energy and high standards the new Governor of Lagos state must show-case, amongst others. And that is the kind of Governor that will not allow the financial fortunes of the people of Lagos state to be retained in the personal pockets of the Tinubus of this world. May God bless Nigeria. Iyke Nwambie Dr Iyke Nwambie is the President of The Advancement Inc.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 17:09:27 +0000
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