Saturday 13 December 2014

Fashola Wanabe



THE FASHOLA WANNA-BES

Lagos, the center of excellence is one experimental State where specimens of good leadership, corporate governance and mindshifts have been put to work overtime with mixed results of awe and rejection. Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, Lagos has stayed under the “Afenifere” leadership, being the headquarters of the Federal ruling party’s opposition. After the commercial trailblazer Ahmed Tinubu, who created more markets and instituted more business opportunities than before, came the fearless, intelligent, charismatic, tactical and innovative Babatunde Raji Fashola (BRF as he is fondly called). He showed Lagos the true meaning of possibilities, defying traditions and recognizing the power of building institutions without prejudices. BRF took on projects for beautification, sanitization, restoration and expansion of Lagos to a megacity.

Even with the several accolades from several entities, there are undertone arguments of his sheer failure to restore hope to the marginal groups within the state. The bike rider, whose commercial venture has been thoroughly reduced of profitability; the market woman whose taxes have become higher than her children’s school fees; and even the restaurant owner who despite the luxury and sumptuous service she offers has been frustrated by task forces; they would argue to the last on the elitist unpopular government that the Governor has bred over the years

But a critical look at the State’s policies since BRF’s inauguration would show good intentions: of safeguarding the lives of the citizens (which indeed is the essence of true governance) as well as improving the opportunities in the State. The heavy taxes show in the several megacity projects undertaken in the premium areas. But this is not about the successes and woes of the BRF led government over the past 8 years. It is however about what happens to the launch pad of prospects that has been created by the next person to fill in the post.

The Lagos guber-race has indeed been interesting. As a Progressive myself, I have watched the boards, posters and news since the middle of the year and the several candidates make me know that indeed our governor has done such a good job and has inspired hope of office occupation and leadership. I am drawn to question the authenticity of the several heads that have come up either in rumors or in reality to run for the most coveted post of the South West region. One popular face would be Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon.  His initials form the last three letters of the state and that was his campaign strategy in 2003 when he was to pick the AD Party’s ticket in representation of Lagos West but was defeated by Tokunbo Afikuyomi. His political career began since 1998. He was elected chairman of Mushin local Government Area in 1999, Federal House of Assembly for Mushin Federal Constituency 1 in 2003; Senate representing Lagos west in 2007 and reelected in 2011. Experience, depth of administrative practices, service and dedication, we can give it up for him.

Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat is another face of colorful posters all around Lagos. His civil smiles come from some experience in political appointments. He served under the Tinubu’s tenure as Commissioner for Science and Technology from August 2005 and was retained by the BRF government until 2011 in that post. He was later reappointed as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, an office which he has occupied and served with doggedness and skill. Of course as a successor to the two-time Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, it could just be that the office of the commissioner for works is a fore-running-governor-producing office also.
Gbenga Bareehu Ashafa is a well trained public administrator and politician. The Morgan State University Biological Science B.Sc. holder indeed has a lot of experience also with governance. He served as director of planning, governor’s office from 1999-2000, actively served in the Lands ministry from 2001 till 2010 and currently is the senator of Lagos east. If anyone would sustain the lands developments in Lagos, who else than Ashafa?

Akinwunmi Ambode is surely a fine man in the suits, a public finance management expert and Lagos’ Accountant-General between 2006 and 2012. What is interesting is how this young man, the youngest Lagos State government treasury gatekeeper at 37 has remained hidden in “bureaucratic obscurity” up until this run up. Fashola was only a chief of staff before he was presented.

 There are others joining the race with certain party preferences and biases. We would however hope that the primaries would turn out free and fair. Most crucially we also hope that the selected candidate be one of substance, character and competence. APC had better be warned that these are crucial times and Lagosians only want a better BRF: Wrong Candidate equates the loss of the bounty!