SO IF AMBODE BECOMES A MINISTER IN THIS NEW DISPENSATION, WOULD HEAVEN FALL?

Akinwunmi Ambode 

The new vastly improved international Airport way

Over 800 brand new buses out of the 5000 expected. 

The new addition at LASUTH 

One of the 500 seater theaters 

The outgoing executive Governor of the number 1 state in Nigeria, that's talking about Lagos State in the person of his excellency, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode never believed that he wouldn't be doing a 2nd term in office, till the plot to remove him gathered real storm. He believed against all hope, that last last, one way or the other he would be allowed to do the 2nd term. But alas that has not come to be.

Even when like a rude shock it became plain for all to see and even he himself too saw how futile the battle could be, he still fought gallantly on and when he saw that there was nothing he could do any more eventually, he had to accept his fate and let go finally and he then gave his support to the overwhelming choice of his party in the person of 'Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu', who at the subsequent Gubernatorial Election, coasted home gallantly to victory in the election, like there were no other contestants in the race. In fact, were the votes of all the others counted together, they all would still have lost against the man everyone has come to now know as just B.O.S.

So now that Ambode's fate has been sealed and the only option left for him to serve the people again if he still wants to, is if he were to he be picked/nominated by the President for a ministerial position as one of those to represent Lagos State. Those who who want him to be quickly forgotten or consigned to the past, are strongly against him becoming a minister too!

The Governor has been accused by those who do not necessarily like him, of playing to the gallery with how he has had to do so many last minutes launching of many projects--The Theaters on many areas, the new section at the LASUTH, the new Oshodi Transport Hub, many of the projects which they claim are not even finished yet. In the opinion of these people, they feel that nothing stops the outgoing Governor of letting those projects be finished in totality and then so that the incoming administration could properly launch them then. They are claiming that the Governor is 'glory seeking' at all cost. And to all of these, the one thing we can just say to these set is that, why not? What stops anyone from glory seeking? Is it an evil thing to do?

If the only way for one to assure one's legacy, is to do anything that he can lawfully do, why not then? The incoming administration under normal circumstances, should come in and come on board with her own plans/agenda and projects to execute without necessarily waiting for anything from the previous administration in the first instance.

And also, if the outgoing Governor still believes he can serve and serve meritoriously at that in another capacity and he feels he can sell himself well to the powers that be, especially with his resume, what stops him from doing so? What does anyone have to gain from his total wipe out from the scheme of things? Would anyone die, or would any misfortune fall on any, were 'Akinwunmi Ambode' to be nominated for a ministerial position? 

"ET TU AFIKUYOMI"? THE BATTLE TO TOTALLY TAKE DOWN GOVERNOR EMERITUS ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU & HIS DYNASTY!

In the story of Julius Ceasar, the late former life ruler of the great Roman Empire of yore, of all the 23 death blows/stabs he received from the members of the Senate, about 60 of them in all that participated in the plot to kill Julius Ceasar, the ruling class of the Roman Republic which, as a  republic that at the time of Julius Ceasar, was the Empire that ruled the entire world influencing life in all ramifications, the most painful of those killer death blows that took his life was the one by Marcus Brutus, his younger friend and own protégé. That's how deep treachery can go.

Reason for the terrible pain was not far fetched though and was majorly because Julius Ceasar had always known Marcus Brutus, all is life. Infact, he was like a father figure to the traitor and had seen to his growth and advancement however he could. And this was because Brutus's mom was a long time special mistress of the dictator and so Ceasar had somewhat special interest in the boy that grew to a man and in fact saw to the growth of one of the henchmen of the plot that later took his life. There was a time that he had had the opportunity to kill Brutus for treachery, after he had returned from exile and had won a victory over the army of the then
Emperor who Brutus had followed and supported against him, but instead he left him, believing that his magnanimity would count for something. So when Brutus later on, delivered the damning, most telling blow (stab) in that chamber with others and that later killed him it was very shocking for Julius Ceasar. Incidentally the plot and murder all occurred then in the month of March of 44BC hence the tag "Ides of March,

Julius Ceasar in outright shock was said to have exclaimed as the knife pierced through his body, "Et tu Brute"!!!!, which loosely translates to mean "You too Brutus or Even you, Brutus? In that exclamation, was the totality of the surprise that had overwhelmed the dying dictator that someone he had leaned on, and that he thought was his own through and through was actually one of the major institigators of his murder. So even if all the other stabs weren't that fatal, that one by Brutus had a major telling effect!

Why the recall of the story above? It is because fast-forward to now, something of the same sort is already happening now in our own time and clime as we speak. It is even followimg somewhat that same sort of script and it is all unraveling even around the same timing (month of March), with characters that we know very well too. The likes of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his erstwhile team member and so called personal person.

Both Tokunbo Afikuyomi and Asiwaju have known each other for God knows when and both were staunch members of the Alliance for Democracy of yore. It was under that party that Mr. Afikuyomi became a 2 term Senator.

It was from being a Senator that he later bacame a commissioner in the administration of Babatunde Raji Fashola as a nominee of The Asiwaju. From all indications, Asiwaju and Afikuyomi were very close, until something must happened between them at a point which turned the latter totally against his former benefactor, much to the extent that in the supposed recent battle between Asiwaju and Ambode, it was said that the unseen hand and power behind Ambode's resistance & defiance then was in fact Afikuyomi. Much as they fought that battle then to a near standstill, they still lost it, with the outgoing Governor accepting his fate and seemingly supporting the new candidate the party now preferred.

Another battle has since come up again now. It is quite obvious that how that first battle ended didn't go down well with some. Hence this time around, the same TA in battle array with the opposition in Lagos, especially with the backing of the highest hierarchy of the opposition in the persons of Atiku, Bode George, JK, Saraki, Fayose etc with the active connivance of even some highly placed members of the ruling party, have all vowed to use all that they have and can muster to bring the strong man of Lagos and in fact South West & his dynasty crumbling down at all cost, in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In this battle, it is very obvious that many would sustain injuries and those injuries could most likely be near fatal or even fatal  and that's because these combatants are not playing at all as it is a no holds barred fight where all and everything that can be used to win is allowed. Their 1st battleground is fast approaching and it is to make sure first and foremost, that the candidate favored by the Asiwaju and his supporters in the upcoming Gubernatorial election in Lagos come March 9, 2019, in the person of Babajide O. Sanwoolu does not win. If they can achieve that, they would have killed 2 birds with one stone. First would be the vindication by many that Ambode shouldn't have been done away with in the 1st instance, that he would have won the election without any stress had it being him that contested and then secondly, the loss, if it can happen would totally demystify the myth about the Asiwaju as an incomparable mobiliser of men, who is in charge in Lagos and by extension the South West, one whose support guarantees a win always.

They had tried doing the same, for the Presidential, but it didn't succeed in full, though truth be told, they really tried with the result they got. That was actually a scary one. But for this upcoming Gubernatorial election, they have since intensified their efforts and have closed ranks and have chosen to focus majorly on a goal, to get Lagos at at all cost, by every means necessary and the one at the fore-front of this battle seems to be Mr. Afikuyomi.

What it is, that is so so terrible that the Asiwaju may have done to him, to warrant the stab, no one knows yet. But it is obvious that he is hell bent on achieving his goal! And he would go to any length to succeed. He seems to have some very strong support base though.

Would he and his company/cohorts succeed/survive this battle? We would know in the course of the next few days or at least in the next 2 weeks. What we only know for sure now is, when elephants fight, it is the grass under them that suffers the trauma and the grass in this case, are the supporters on both sides of the divide. 

JIMI AGBAJE & THE TOKUNBO AFIKUYOMI CONNECTION. THAT MULTI-MILLION NAIRA STUPENDOUS LARGESSE & THE PLOT TO TAKE OVER LAGOS BY ANY MEANS Necessary INCLUDING THE NEED TO STAIN BOLA AHMED TINUBU

Jimi Agbaje 

Akinwunmi Ambode 

Tokunbo AFIKUYOMI 

Atiku Abubakar 

Bitter over defeat, Atiku agents hunt for Tinubu, eye Lagos takeover

*Jimi Agbaje meets Afikuyomi at Intercontinental Hotel
*Recuits Agbakoba, Odumakin, CSOs

A forceful takeover of Lagos is the “consolation prize” being contemplated by the camp of Atiku Abubakar after a crushing defeat by President Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential polls last Saturday, it has been gathered.
This was one of the resolutions of an emergency strategy meeting held by the Atiku team when it became apparent that President Buhari had won by a wide margin, the first being a formal rejection of APC’s victory as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Buhari polled 15,191,847 votes to defeat Atiku who scored 11,262,978.

Even as the PDP flagbearer is still mulling his legal team to challenge Buhari at the election tribunal, his strategists within the PDP are of the opinion that taking over Lagos, the nation’s commercial nevercentre, will enable the opposition party become an effective countervailing force to APC controlling Abuja, the political headquarters.
Recall that a similar bid was launched for Lagos in April 2015 by then President Goodluck Jonathan with the deployment of jetloads of dollars to induce voters after PDP lost the presidential polls to APC, but to no avail.

To actualize the Lagos takeover plot this time, we can confirm that a huge war-chest has been mobilized by the Atiku camp to finance ahead of the March 9 state elections a vicious smear campaign against the strongman of Lagos politics and National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, believed to have coordinated PDP’s defeat as the Co-Chairman of Buhari’s Presidential Campaign Council.
Specifically, Atiku’s hatchetmen are to spread anti-Tinubu messages in the traditional media and social media, deploying any “means necessary”.

The first leg of the strategy meeting, it was reliably gathered, held at highbrow Intercontinental Hotel on Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos Saturday night where the PDP governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, met with Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi and a few others to perfect the plan to recruit a faction of Afenifere and willing human rights activists to create a facade that the anti-Tinubu campaign is the initiative of civil society organizations (CSOs).

The suppprt of the likes of Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Mr. Yinka Odumakin has been secured in this connection.

In fact, the inaugural press conference is to be addressed by Mr. Agbakoba and Odumakin whose relentless media offensive against Buhari had failed to sway Yoruba votes to Atiku across the South-West last Saturday.
Afikuyomi, described last night as a “Judas” after benefitting politically from Tinubu in APC, was said to have been part of the “Dubai retreat” hosted late last year by the Atiku camp after winning the PDP presidential ticket to draw up a “war plan” against Buhari.
To evade public scrutiny or being accused of “anti-party activity” by APC, Afikuyomi was said to have opted out of the Dubai-Abuja flight and rather adopted a decoy by flying to Lagos through Uganda.

Interestingly, Afikuyomi had been the chief coordinator of the second term bid by the outgoing Governor Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos which crashed in the APC primaries held in October in 2018.

Furthermore, the involvement of another Ambode’s core supporter, Mr. Wale Oluwo, in the latest plot against APC interest in Lagos set tongues wagging again last night.

Oluwo, who resigned as the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy, has been described as one of the “cashiers” in the anti-Tinubu plot, having superintendented over the multi-billion Naira street lights projects exclusively under Ambode and has serially been fingered as the secret “emissary” between Ambode and Agbaje.
On quitting the Lagos cabinet last October, Oluwo declared support for Agbaje’s governorship ambition.

More after the break.

Osibajo, Ambode Launch Trader-Moni, Urges Recipients to Use Loan Judiciously

It was an ecstatic moment mid afternoon 2 days ago as the Vice President of the nation, Prof. Yemi Osibajo unveiled the Federal Government’s Trader-Moni initiative, a Government enterprise and empowerment programme to petty traders at the Ketu and Adebayo markets in Lagos.

The Vice President who was accompanied by the Lagos state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and the All Progressive Congress’ (APC) Lagos State governorship candidate for the 2019 election, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, toured the markets to the delight of all and interacted with the market men and women assuring them that the government will increase the loan to each individual provided they use what they have gotten  judiciously and are also faithful in paying back the sum as at when due.

Reacting to the Government’s gesture at the Ketu Market, the Babaloja Ikosi, Ikosi-Ketu market, Chief Akanbi Taofeek said by remembering the petty traders, the Federal government have taken the right step in the right direction. He went further to say that  although, the amount involved is small, the Babaloja said it would still go a long way to ease the suffering of the down trodden Nigerians and traders who are very much in need of such interventions. The Babaloja assured the Government of good support to ensure that the recipients keeps to what he calls “very encouraging repayments terms”.

Speaking in the same vein, the Iyaloja of the Ketu market, Mrs. Amope Adesanya, urged the Government to sustain the tempo with which they have come out to unveil the loan assistance to the common traders without the usual insurmountable requirements by Microfinance Banks and similar organizations.  Hence the desire of the market associations to support the government to ensure that the money goes round to the traders.

Some of beneficiaries who spoke on their experiences included - Ismaila Orilowo and Sunday Adekunle, both Meat Sellers at the market. While Orilowo noted that the initial loan sum of N10,000 may have been too small for his kind of business, but he still praised the Government for at least starting something.  “If such initiative had been on, all the while, a lot of economic burdens will have been eased for the common Nigerians”  Orilowo who is a cluster leader in the meat section of the market confirmed that at least a dozen traders in his team have received the money.

Elfreda Asuquo-Edet, a vegetable  trader who revealed that she had declined to register with the Trader–moni officials on their first visit to the market because she had thought it was another scam, she however expressed joy that she has benefited and invested the sum in improving her trade.  “I like the condition because it’s not going to stress me at all”, she said.

Another beneficiary, Blessing Augustine said, I am happy the Government at long last has thought about the masses. The money will help in my trade and the way it is structured, it will encourage beneficiaries to pay back on time so that they will qualify for the next step of bigger sum”.

The trader-moni initial loan sum is N10,000 for 6 months to be paid back at N430 every week. And the total sum payable thereafter is N10,250. Thereafter the trader can access N15,000 for another six month and pay back N15,375. The trader can then apply for N20,000 for 6 month with pay back sum being N21,000. If the customer is faithful he can obtain N50,000 with pay back sum at N52,000 while the highest loan sum is N100,000.

AT THE ADEBAYO MARKET
The VP and his entourage made up of the Lagos state Governor, Akinwumi Ambode and the APC Lagos state governorship aspirant for the 2019 general election, Babajide Sanwo-Olu also visited other markets too.

Speaking also about the project, the Babaloja of Adebayo Market and Bariga LCDA, Alhaji Rasaq Rabiu said the presidency made a thoughtful decision in remembering the traders and giving them the financial support which will boost their businesses.

According to him, “we thank God; the Vice President came here because of the money they are giving to the traders’, money to maintain their markets so they can make profit. Those who collected this money will not curse the Government rather they will praise them. We will continue to pray for the  Government to continue and do more than this”.

Mr Rasaq added that the traders have been sensitized that the money is a loan which they must return within six months which will enable them to acquire the next phase.

A catfish seller, Miss Adeola Oyekanmi who got her money within three days of registering for the project couldn’t hide her feelings as she hailed the Government for considering them in the project. “We started hearing about it since Friday that we should come and register and after registering we got a message and the next was a credit transfer alert. I got the money today. The money will improve my market, I am selling fish and I have N50,000 , if I add the N10,000 to it, it will boost my market, It will help me a lot, she said.

Also, a stock fish seller, Mrs Unwachukwu Ebere said she was happy on hearing about the money though she did not know it is a loan. “ I have collected my money. The money will boost my business. I am doing business with 5,000, if I add the 10,000 to it, it will surely help me.

The Iyaloja of Adebayo Market, Bariga who was also a beneficiary of the Trader-Moni initiative said the money is a good way of encouraging the traders and it will help them. According to her “The loan is good. Giving N10,000 is better than nothing.  She added that the interest rate is very small which should not be the problem for people who have collected it.

A trader, Mrs Ogunmayi who specializes in selling shoes and bags said though the money is good for petty traders, but she thinks the Government should come up with projects that will benefit those in her category.

Speaking to the press on the project, a representative of GDM, a consulting company for the Trader-Moni initiative, Mr. Olarenwaju said the information and intergration of the people towards the project has been on for almost three months. He said people were skeptical about it at first, after telling them because they are not seeing the money immediately then. He is however delighted that the people were not disappointed.

The Trader-Moni initiative is supported by the Bank of Industry and the loan repayments can be done at any of the major banks likes of Union Bank, Jaiz Bank, Fidelity Bank, GTBank, Sterling Bank, UBA, Heritage Bank, Wema Bank, Ecobank and Stanbic Bank. 

PHOTOSPEAK. DAGGERS SHEATHED, NO MORE WAR. ITS ALL IN THE FAMILY. SEE BRF, AMBODE & BOS ALL TOGETHER AS ONE.

BRF, AMBODE and BOS

BRF, AMBODE, BOS & Seriki

We only just hope that at the end of it all, they have all sheathed their former drawn daggers or swords and all are back together as brothers, all members of one same big family once again.

Yes, we are talking about the former Governor of Lagos and now the most powerful minister in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration, in the person of Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the incumbent in the person of the reigning Governor of Lagos State, Mr  Akinwunmi Ambode and the man, many says is destined to take over the baton from Ambode in the person of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, aka BOS, the current MD/CEO of the LSPDC.

The 3 men were seen together, sat near each other like they were brothers with nothing whatsoever amiss at the APC Convention in Abuja the FCT only just yesterday. This was the same BRF & Ambode that were said not to be friends or friendly to each other embracing like best buddies or brothers. And also on the other side was the same Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, that Ambode had tried to obliterate or is it annihilate with accusations of madness and being a criminal, an ex-convict at that, one that the affairs of the state; a state like Lagos for that matter must not be entrusted to, only just a few days back!!!!

Now the trio are like chummies who have never ever had any issues ever before.

Hilariously the trio have been tagged - Tinubu babes, while others have referred to them as Tinubu All Stars, but we have added to the tags by saying this are "men dem".

The action of the trio might just be restating "Carol Moseley Braun's quote which states " There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, just permanent interests". Such is life!!! 

LIVE UPDATE OF THE #LAGOSAPCPRIMARIES. SANWOOLU VS. AMBODE!

Ambode vs Sanwoolu 

Though it's rather too early now to make a full assessment of things as per the ongoing #LagosApcprimary2018 battle between the sitting Governor in the person of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode & the man hoping to dislodge him, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, who is the current LSPDC MD/CEO, but the initial assessment as it were now is that, it would take the combination of the heaven, with the very active involvement of numerous angels and maybe the participation of JUST one Cherub to change the overwhelming result that is already getting very glaring for all to see.

Though we agree that it is yet early days now, but for the places where things have happened already and where their results may have come out and have been unofficially declared already or read out already it can only be described as, for want of other better adjectives to use as landslide victories or total annihilation for Sanwoolu!

Just imagine margins of victory as much as 9000 to 20, 16000 to 3, 16000 to 80, 4800 to 1700,  14000 to 0, 14000 to 0, 960 to 4, etc.

It is just better to describe all of these initial outcomes as a total massacre. But we are expecting very gallant showings from Ambode in all the wards in Epe, Amuwo, Satellite, these places and a few more are what can be described as enclaves of Ambode's loyalists. Ambode's deputy is from Badagry, so maybe she would do well for her boss in that area! But unconfirmed news/report says she might also have dumped her boss, to follow the fully and its entirety the dictate of the party above personal interest. A video has gone about where she openly said party supremacy for her is above all other considerations.

Also it is been speculated, not confirmed though as a fact that the current Commissioner for Information and Strategy for the state, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, might also have shifted his allegiance to be on the side clamouring for full party supremacy,

The Governor is from Epe and he is reputed to have a cult like following in Epe majorly because of the developments he is supposed to have brought to bear there.

According to the unofficial results in from the Epe area, the Governor as expected annihilated and decimated his opponent with incredible margins like 30000 to 0, 29500 to 10, 11700 to 50, 15000 to 0, 6120 to 0, 17100 to 2, 4500 to 0. All of these numbers though haven't been confirmed yet. But please forget the numbers for now till we hear or get the official information, just judging by the sheer number of people out and about at the places we went to, Sanwoolu from just that alone might have won the primary. But not until all the results a collated and ratified officially before we can now declare as a fact who the winner is.

Feelers from so many people or sides are coming in though. Some have claimed that the Primary has been cancelled and some have said the primary result would soon be announced. But we are still awaiting what next!!!! 

Ambode: A Bull in a China Shop - Olawale Olaleye

If after watching Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s world press conference, which concluded a few minutes ago and you still did not think he is unworthy of a second chance, then, you are corruptly limited in your understanding of the inherent issues that are standing imposingly against this churlish governor.

Let’s start with his demeanor. It was very ungubernatorial. There is no debating that. His utterances were totally uncouth, childish and boorish. He left even the undiscerning without any jot of doubt that he is what he currently is: a bull in a china shop – evidently frustrated.

For the short period that the news conference lasted, coupled with the fact that the question and answer session might have been ‘arranged’ as it is always the style, I was glued to the screen observing only his countenance and the environmental nuances and all I saw was a man very well determined to destroy whatever it was that he met in the party and the government in the name of a second term, which is not a right but privilege.

Of course, it clearly does appear that he is unable to distinguish between right and privilege and by crossing the line of decency whilst struggling to make his warped points, thus unrestrainedly throwing impossible darts at his opponent, says a lot about who he truly is. He has been misconstrued all along. Whoever prepped him for that session is a disaster in public relations and image management.

Imagine a governor saying an opponent from the same party, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was once at a rehab? The same Ambode alleged to have a case file at a psychiatric centre during the 2014 campaigns and the entire party formation rallied round him? But he had the indecency of reckless abandon to land such a hard punch.

He didn’t stop there. He also regaled us with the story how Sanwo-Olu once spent fake dollars in the US and was arrested. But how come he was quick to forget he allegedly defaulted in the payment of a mortgage, aside other immoral details of his escapades that were considered unbefitting of a governorship candidate but ‘killed’ for his ambition to thrive?

For me, Ambode just confirmed a saying in Yoruba that where a family still savours a modicum of peace, do not celebrate; it is only so because the one child in that family with questionable paternity is yet to attain puberty. So, Ambode is willing to watch APC die, because the party that gave him the opportunity to be governor, when he was the least qualified asks him to stand down this second term?

Put differently the fact that Ambode is the sitting governor of Lagos State, he is on every count at a disadvantage in this battle and those with him are sure losers. Lest he forgets, the party can on account of this poorly conceived press conference expel him and that would be the end. What would follow is an impeachment and heaven would not fall.

Whichever way, he has brazenly declared a war on the party and should not expect the party not to fight back. Running to Abuja is in itself an error. Abuja didn’t make him governor. If he had expected that those who made him governor the first time would listen to Abuja to grant him re-election, then, he is both a joker and a learner.

It is common knowledge that Abuja can barely stand his benefactor, Bola Tinubu, the man who did not know him from anywhere before making him governor. So, conceding such a sensitive decision to them would mean, Ambode wouldn’t need to check with his estranged benefactor again on anything. He would simply bypass him and take orders from Abuja since he owes his second term to them. Honestly, he has proven to be unworthy of that seat, let alone, secure a re-election.

That press conference was meant to be his ace. He had a rare opportunity to not only secure more public sympathy, but reset the mood in the APC. But he blew it all and set the stage for a battle he had long lost. He is naturally a terrible person. He just proved me right.

Everything about his disposition justifies this position. He is an ungrateful lot and innately dreadful. His desperation is akin to that of the anti-Christ and has taken a step that would destroy everything he ever stood for. Never again would the name – Ambode – resonate in the annals of the body polity. Too petty to be called governor.

Importantly, the person to pick the greatest lesson here is Asiwaju Tinubu. Perhaps, Babatude Fashola’s words on marble: ‘May our loyalty never be tested’ would begin to convey instructive meanings to him. He did not know Ambode from anywhere, but he bought into his idea just because one of his trusted allies, Prince Eludoyin, recommended him.

Today, even the said Prince Eludoyin is no longer in talking terms with him. Ambode must be a helplessly terrible lot. Yet, for a man he could not vouch for, Tinubu left those who had been with him since 1999 and went for a total stranger. Good for him!

Pray he comes out of this unhurt, he must have learnt his lessons the hardest way. Please, make no mistake – Ambode has gone on this offensive, because he probably has something with which he plans to finish off Tinubu and co as he forges ahead in this battle. He doesn’t plan to go down alone. He intends to drag one or two persons with him.

Therefore, the days ahead promise to be interesting, and even more so, this current Lagos drama offers a rare lesson in political godfatherism. I know Ambode has so many hidden supports unknown to the Tinubu group, including Abuja and some former governors and their allies alike, but I also know for sure that this is one battle Ambode cannot win and I can hedge my biggest bet ever.

He is not even anywhere close to the inner caucus that ordinarily delivers the most intricate political assignments in the state. Indeed, Ambode does not know or cannot explain how he even emerged governor of the state. Some people delivered that job and that is the ace that Tinubu and his clique have over him.

Sadly, Ambode is too deceived by his current place of advantage to know that he is not an asset. Even if he quits the APC and leaves for another party, a character like him with awful attitudinal disposition is not what anyone or party can put forward as a poster face. His rebellion will only heighten the stakes and increase the frenzy of intrigues in the state; it would change nothing about the status quo, ultimately.

Even if Asiwaju’s empire would be rested eventually, it is not now let alone an even worse character like Ambode with utterly defective human relations that would orchestrate that! The earlier he knows this, the better. But then, we shall wait to see how you’d pull this off tomorrow, Governor Ambode, since you see not your palpable failings but overrated stellar performance amidst this crass elevation of mediocrity.

AMBODE GOES GAGA! THROWS CAUTION TO THE WIND AS HE ALLEGES SO MUCH IN BID TO DESTROY HIS OPPONENT. BOS...

In war like it has been said times without number all is fair and this adage or time honoured saying seem to be what Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has embraced in its entirety in his last ditch effort to salvage what some have called his sinking political career or ship!

In his world press conference held today not too long ago, he employed some of the most dastardly of weapons, likes of character assassination, subtle threat, innuendos etc to denigrate and tear apart his most visible opponent, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu.

Hear his claims--

That Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, is a former criminal/prisoner, in fact ex- convict, one who was once arrested for spending fake dollars in America at a club and was detained for several months!!!!!

That Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu had undergone rehabilitation before at Gbagada General Hospital,.... for what ailment? The Governor has refused to divulge. But he insinuates he has plenty more still in his arsenal to deploy, maybe in the aftermath of the expected loss at the primary tomorrow, which he claims he would still contest. 

AS FAR AS APC IN LAGOS IS CONCERNED, AKINWUNMI AMBODE IS A GONER! IT IS A FAIT ACCOMPLI!!!!

VP, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo flanked by Dr  Obafemi Hamzat & Hon. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu. 

Hamzat endorsing Sanwoolu 

Speaker LSHA, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa

Signatures of the 36 LSHA Members 

AISHA members at the emergency session 

This poster is very pregnant 

BOS with Iyaloja-General of Lagos, Chief Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo

BOS with Senator Remi Tinubu 

Owing to all the activities that have occurred in the last few days, it is glaringly obvious that the supports that the incumbent Governor of Lagos State was seeking for, from his own party for him to be able to contest for a 2nd term in office as the Governor of Lagos State is never going to come.

From all the indications/feelers  available it is obvious that the cookies have all crumbled one by one, one after the other and there seems to be no respite in the horizon for Double A and the only thing now left for him to do, is either to dump the party that got him there or just as a loyal party man to the core, just accept his fate and be resigned to the fact that he would officially become the 1st Governor in the history of the state, to be refused the chance or opportunity to do or contest a 2nd term.

We hear though but not confirmed that, if he were to honourably step down which he has refused to do, the Governor would be given a Ministerial position in the next dispensation were the APC to win the next Presidential election.

Just yesterday, the only hope that was remaining for him to get the full support he needed was dashed as the GAC (Governor's Advisory Council), chaired by the National Leader of the ruling APC decided that the primary was it and they also unilaterally gave their support to the ambition of Babajide Olusola SANWOOLU! Not only that, one of those that had been earmarked to contest the primary that has now been shifted again till Monday, October 1, 2018, in the person of Dr. Femi Hamzat, a special adviser to the Works, Housing and Power Minister, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, who had lost to Ambode at this same stage in 2015, in fact resigned his ambition for party loyalty, by stepping down (withdrew) to now do a joint ticket with Babajide Olusola SANWOOLU. Though the joint ticket has not been officially communicated yet. Dr Femi Hamzat on stepping down, immediately endorsed the candidature of BOS!

By the action of Dr. Femi Hamzat, it means the 2 most powerful teams/families in APC Lagos politics have joined arms and hands together as one, to prosecute 1 dream! Not just that alone, at least 36 out of the 40 LSHA (Lagos State House of Assembly) members at an emergency session yesterday under the leadership of the Speaker of the house, Hon. Mubashiru Obasa all appended their signatures in their support of Babajide Olusola SANWOOLU's ambition. Their decision was communicated by the chairman House Committee on information, strategy and security, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuosho (pay back time it seems, as it was her house that the Government under the administration of Akinwunmi Ambode took over and demolished).

It should also be recalled that the Iyaloja General of Lagos, Chief. Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo had endorsed the candidature of Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, that's effectively saying that the market men and women in Lagos are solidly behind BOS. Long before the endorsement by the Iyaloja, various other groups, likes of the Waste Management and others have openly indicated their support of Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu.

It is very instructive to know the composition of the GAC that had the meeting yesterday, those at that meeting comprised of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, the National Leader of the ruling APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the speaker of the LSHA, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and other stakeholders.

More after the break.

JUST 2 DAYS TO THE APC GOVERNORSHIP PRIMARIES, WHAT IS GOVERNOR AKINWUNMI AMBODE UP TO????

The Governorship primaries of the APC is surefootedly upcoming on Sunday September 30, 2018. After the near disaster in Osun State, where the PDP and her candidate caused a major stir and nearly carried the day, nearly upsetting the apple cart as it were, but thanks to the run-off which totally changed things, after that victory snatched from death, all the focus is now on the Governorship Primaries across board and the main attention is now focused on Lagos.

The reason for the particular focus on Lagos is not far-fetched. In an unprecedented manner, first of its kind in Lagos, the incumbent perceived to have done exemplarily well is not getting the full and rousing support of his own party to run for a 2nd term! So if things follow how it is been perceived to go, Governor Ambode is surely not doing a 2nd term.

In Lagos the incumbent, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode would be fighting a battle of survival, the most fierce battle of his life ever with 2 well grounded opponents who wants to take the baton off him and the 2 are none other than the formidable MD/CEO of the LSPDC, Hon. Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu and Obafemi Hamzat, 2 exceptional grassroots mobilisers.

Many had thought that someway, somehow the incumbent would have it all easy and get the flag to run for the APC a 2nd time for the 2nd term, but alas it isn't going to be and after much begging to change things and make things favourable, the other 2 have refused to step down, so it is still a straight battle between the 3.

According to our investigations it is going to be a fierce battle come the D-day, be it Saturday or Sunday. The Governor from all  indications has gotten a new form of injection and all of a sudden seem to have gotten his confidence (moho) back somewhat and from all indications, he is planning to spring a surprise on all, especially his other 2 opponents and their supporters and if care is not taken and the 2 are complacent or lackadaisical or over confident, they might not just know what would hit them until after everything has ended and then there's no going back again, but to present the winner of the primary as the flagbearer!

Already supports have risen up from many quarters, though not the usual that should normally support him and would have given him the assurance for the 2nd term. We know for a fact, that the Governor and his inner circle, which includes the cerebral Commissioner for Tourism, Steve Ayorinde, known to be a strategist would have put together some sort of foolproof plans, that would surprise all and sundry and pave the way for their man-Akinwunmi Ambode for a 2nd term.

Just 2 days to the Lagos Governorship Primary, the following is an unbiased assertion of a few of our findings though. There seem to be 2 very extreme divides of thoughts about the Governor of Lagos, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. There are those on one side who seem to have a very strong, super strong at that dislike of him and it is with very very strong passion too and they just feel that he is all surface, but no substance, and those on this divide are very much, much of those who would normally vote. Why the Governor engenders such dislikes we do not know.

While on the other side, there are those strongly passionate about the Governor, his achievements and works till date, incidentally they are in the minority, not in very large numbers like those on the other side, but what they seemingly lack in numbers they seem to pack very well in strong passion, even to the near extreme and it's  like they have the resources for the battle, plenty of it, enough to play with that, if you understand what we mean!

As we speak we hear that lots of jostlings and arrangements are going on, and we have even heard that financial inducements of extraordinary proportion may also have been a good weapon that's been deployed. Though a particular 5 billion plus supposedly dispatched to some have gained some traction since yesterday those particularly named to have gotten that package, have vehemently denied such a thing ever happened. In fact they have denied in very strong terms at that, that such an inducement never happened!

This is actually that time of the season where those who are perceived to be influencial are smiling home gladly to the banks as their supports are being sort for.

So without the support of the Mandate Group and the Justice Forum, both of which are the 2 largest support groups in Lagos, and both of who are firmly behind Sanwoolu and Hamzat, can Ambode still do the impossible, by springing a monumental surprise???

THE LAGOS INTRIGUES!!! HOW WOULD IT FINALLY PAN OUT? AMBODE, SANWOOLU, OTEDOLA!!! WHAT MORE???

A few years back, not too long after the beginning of the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode began, a self-styled prophet who is based in the US released a couple of his predictions or should we say prophecies and one of the major ones was when he said categorically then that Akinwunmi Ambode was only going to do a term (1 term) as Governor of Lagos State!!! It was a most shocking revelation. It is even now more shocking in the aftermath of many of the things that the action Governor of the state of excellence has done and is still doing.

Many had thought that double AA's 2nd term in office, to consolidate the 1st term would have been a given, but alas, it's obvious for all to see that there's fire on the mountain. Believe it or not, we can reliably tell you matter of factly that there is really fire on the mountain!!!

The question on the minds of many, especially many of those who knew how the Asiwaju fought tooth and nail to make sure that Ambode emerged as the then candidate of the APC, before becoming the Governor, is now what could have gone so terribly  wrong, so fast? Why would a supposed golden boy with the seeming midas touch, be discarded so fast, without looking back? What seriously could have gone wrong? What could the Governor have done to warrant this sort of abandonment half way?

Ambode according to history was one of those who made sure that Lagos, during the regime of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos then, when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR was the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wasn't brought to her knees. It was at that time that the Nigerian President, intentional starved the most prosperous state in Nigeria of her legitimate entitlement, just in order to break the back of the state then and it took the ingenuity of the administration in Lagos then, with the active participation of Akinwunmi Ambode then to scale through and overcome those dark days. So because of that, the relationship between Asiwaju and Ambode, was well cemented from then on.

That the Asiwaju insisted and made sure he became the preferred candidate of the APC then, was seen by many as a payback, for being a good son in whom Asiwaju was well pleased. So despite the fight put up by the opposition as expected, Ambode won and things were looking bright for a while, especially after the initial misstep, the man who was well prepared for Governance, having climbed up from the lowest rung now to the peak, began to make his mark on all areas. Security, Infrastructural development, Finances etc were areas that were touched and not in a small way at all.

No State Government in the history of Nigeria has ever invested the colossal amount that Ambode has expended on making things work in Lagos! Though there's still so much to be done, but nonetheless it can be seen by all that he has tried so far!

But the 1st signs of trouble started to show head soon after, when he supposedly decided to rearrange a few things. The normal way things have always worked in Lagos is for the Governor to govern, taking care of administrative matters while leaving the politics to those who would look after that. Atleast that supposedly was the arrangement when BRF was on the seat. The formular has always been that there are those, like the foot soldiers who do all the works during the election periods and then afterwards, when all things have been done and dusted and the objectives achieved, then during the tenure or term, those who made things happen would be patronised or compensated!

The idea is that, not all of the people can be accommodated in the administration, but that others too, those who would be more in large numbers would be given things to do from whence they too can earn money and their patronage would be seen to be recognized and appreciated.

One of those things that was supposedly a no go area was the PSP issue, which had to do with Waste management and collection, the minute development was brought face to face with politics cracks began! According to our findings, this was one of the ways by which many were patronised and compensated. Those involved apparently invested much into this business and then, development, technology was brought in and bingo!!!! Trouble started.

Another sector that apparently also brought about some issues was Transportation. The minute innovation and technology was brought in, it meant some lords were going to be massively affected. Some people were even angered that instead of a spread to reach as many as possible, one person was given the contract to supply all!

Another issue that was raised or that raised eyebrows, or that was said to have brought about issues was said to have been assessability. It is claimed that suddenly many people especially party people couldn't reach the Governor anymore. It was like he was no cocooned and only his own people had access to him and that it was even only those his own people, that were smiling! What they actually meant that things weren't how the used to be. It is claimed that the largesse was now just in a very small circle alone!

Imagine also there's the claim that even the large majority of those in ALAUSA with him, who used to smile a lot before have had major scowls on their faces, reason been that the former rain had since dropped and it's like a drought had replaced it.

All of the above and some others are said to be why things have changed and some are swearing that double AA might just do only one term and that's just it.

We can tell you also authoritatively that the boss of LSPDC, Mr. Jide Sanwoolu is not backing down and many are already hailing him as the alternative Governor to be! His home in lkoyi from what we hear has been a buzz of activities, since he declared his intention to run. Jide Sanwoolu has been involved one way or the other in Governance since the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State. He is viewed as someone with the requisite experience and expertise and most especially, he is seen as quite assessible! And for those thinking that a planned rally has been deactivated and called off, please do not believe that LIE!!!

We have our ears glued to the ground and we have dispatched our roving birds to make sure to monitor things and have their antennas out and as we hear things, we promise to let you all know. We can tell you categorically though also that, there was a meeting between the godfather and his somewhat estranged son very very recently and things were supposedly thrashed and a "fantastic handshake" happened, was that enough to stop the blitzkrieg? Maybe that and the supposed and the supposed influence and intervention of the overall boss can change things again, to let sleeping dog lie. But as it is now.


Hmmmmmmm!!!! 

CAN THERE TRULY EVER BE SOMETHING AMISS BETWEEN THE ASIWAJU & HIS ANOINTED SON-AKINWUNMI AMBODE?

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu 

Akinwunmi Ambode 

What more can be said about the great Asiwaju of Lagos and by extension according to some, the Asiwaju of Yorubaland that hasn't been said yet or already? The inimitable Jagaban Borgu, who also incidentally holds the highest chieftaincy title in Egbaland, which is the "Aare Ago" (Field Marshall) of Egbaland, a title bestowed on him by the current paramount ruler of Egbaland, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, CFR. These titles mentioned here and others are just a few of the more prominent titles that the former 2 term Governor of the state of aquatic excellence and a former Senator of the state, hold.

The APC top chieftain, in fact the National Leader of the ruling party is an enigma per excellence, one that many of his die-hard followers see as the engineer, the visioner, the inspiration behind what the current Lagos is and may turn into in the future. Some are of the strong opinion, that the script of the 21st century Lagos, an emerging eldorado was put together by him and that all that have always been needed, is always for the perfect and proper person to come execute.

His excellency, the Governor extraordinary, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, FCA is the current Governor of the number 1 state in Nigeria in many ramifications and that's the state of excellence-known to all as Lagos. Never in the history of this state has someone being so well prepared, so well honed, so perfectly fitted to run the affairs of a state as unique, as powerful, as diverse, as massive, as Lagos.

For those who already know and even for those that do not readily know, that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode boasts an incredible, totally outstanding educational history, background, from as early as his O'levels, where he cracked the WASC, having the 2nd best results overall for the year in review is a known fact.

Thereafter the O'levels, he went on to continually dazzle all comers every step of the way ever since. From an exemplary university result for his 1st degree and later having his masters, to getting trained at some of the best schools available-Harvard, Instead, Wharton, Cranfield etc where he honed his skills as an accountant/auditor/administrator.

But it's not only about his educational status that we are on about here now, it is also majorly about his career path and projectile, which apart from the educational attainment is what has made him who he is today!

Imagine that from the get go till he got to the highest level/hierarchy as Governor, he has worked at every level of the state civil service, from the grassroots at the local government level, holding various positions from the low to the high, right around the state, rising later from being the Auditor-General in charge of Local Governments to become the Permanent Secretary in charge of Finance in Lagos, till he finally became the Accountant-General of Lagos State, which on its own, is already a career high and then now finally to becoming the Governor of the state. Transversing the length and breath of the state Civil service for 27 years! How more prepared can anyone have ever been?

So it wasn't something too extraordinary or too out of the world when the Asiwaju then, like he had also done before with the excellent BRF, insisted on Ambode as the nos 1 choice to take over from another, exemplary and anoited son then in the person of the awesome Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. Many of the skeptics who couldn't dare dream then, many of them who had doubts, those who had thought no one, no matter who could break the awesome records set by the 2 terms of the administration of BRF have all now since become die-hard converts in only just 3 years of exhilarating hard work!

The blitzkrieg otherwise known as Akinwunmi Ambode, that unstoppable shining star has swept all before him off their feet-both his own people and even the opposition with such speed and authority, it has been totally outstanding and dazzling at the same time. So much so that even the opposition have become totally comatose and have been pulverized to inactivity, hoping against all hope in the dreamland to come to relevance again sometime in the far future.

Every where in Lagos that you go to, you would effortlessly and openly see, the Ambode super impressive signature all over, dotting the landscape in nearly all ramifications. Truth be told, Lagos State in a very long while, has not encountered such dizzying and dazzling level of infrastructural developments all going on simultaneously at the same time like now! So just imagine all the launchings that would all be happening all over the place in Lagos at the tail end of this administration's 1st term in power come 2019! Lagos is surely in for a super great and exhilarating ride!!! !

So in view of the very immediate above, most had thought that a 2nd term for the one behind all that has been happening so positively should just be a given! Like it has been said for many centuries now, one good turn, deserves another, or so people had thought! But alas, that might not necessarily be! Reason been that if the so called underground grumblings and rumblings are anything to go by, then all might not necessarily be as well as most think!

For according to the unconfirmed gist, which even at that still carries a lot of weight, both son-AA and father-Asiwaju might not necessarily be having a chummy-chummy, good time as it is now! It is even said that whatever it is that's causing the issues, might have been on going for a few months now, at least for up to 4 months if not more, so they say! And because of that, many are of the thought that this disagreement if not quickly nipped in the bud and resolved and dealt with, could dangerously affect Ambode’s 2nd term ambition!

Can that truly happen? Especially after such an excellent record of works? 

APAPA CONGESTION: AMBODE FLAGS OFF EXPANSION OF ABAT TRUCK TERMINAL IN ORILE

...To Explore Another 5,000-Capacity Terminal In Ijanikin

...Extends Egan-Agric Road Project To Ayobo, Orders Palliative Work On Ikotun-Ijegun, Others

…Inspects Ongoing Projects Across The State

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday flagged off the expansion of the ABAT Truck Terminal in Orile Iganmu, assuring that work would be accelerated on the 1000-capacity terminal to take trucks parked indiscriminately on the roads and bridges.

Governor Ambode, who led an extensive inspection of ongoing projects across the State that last for about six hours, said the expansion of the Terminal was one of the resolutions reached at the recent meeting with stakeholders, especially in the Maritime sector on finding lasting solutions to take containerized trucks permanently off the roads, a development that is majorly responsible for the gridlock in the Apapa area.

The Governor said: "One of the resolutions is that we should have authorised truck Terminal Park and so my visit to this place today is to flag off the reconstruction of this terminal so that we can accommodate 1000 trucks.

"We would do this in collaboration with the Nigeria Ports Authority so that the call-up system can work efficiently. The expansion we are adding to this particular terminal in which we have decided to acquire the adjoining land, we would use that primarily for non-petroleum trucks so that we can sectionalized these trucks and allow the call-up system to work.

"This is just part of the efforts that the State Government is making to make sure this Apapa gridlock and the truck menace becomes a thing of the past permanently."

Governor Ambode also disclosed that the State Government has concluded plans to utilise an expanse of land in Ijanikin area with a capacity to accommodate at least 5,000 trucks.

"I have just been briefed that we have an additional land space in Ijanikin that can accommodate 5000 trucks. We will explore that possibility immediately; all that we are doing is just to make sure that there is a permanent solution to this whole idea of trucks destroying our bridges and roads," he said.

More after the break.