‘Ambode’s reelection endorsements not out of panic’
AS the 2019 governorship election moves closer, adherents of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode have commenced preparations to ensure his (Ambode) reelection.
Coordinating the groups, is the Ambode Mandate Support Group (AMSG), which said it is being propelled to support Ambode’s reelection based on how his administration has bring about transformational development to the state since 2015.
Speaking at a press conference in Lagos yesterday, the Director General of the group, Mr. Omoyele Suleiman dismissed insinuation that the group was being sponsored by the governor or any godfather in the party.
He said the Ambode Mandate Support Group (AMSG) is motivated by the governor’s performance. According to the group, “Anybody that wishes Lagos well would also desire Ambode’s reelection in 2019 to enable him complete what he started.”
The group, which currently comprise of chairmen of local governments across the state, members of the State House of Assembly, APC party chieftains also includes some members of Community Development Association (CDA) and over 130 volunteer groups.
Explaining reason for backing Ambode, the DG said, “The first thing that attracted us to the governor is the manner in which his government tackled the issue of perennial traffic gridlock in the state, which has become synonymous with Lagos when he assumed office.”
According to Suleiman, “To a considerable extent, the issue of traffic is gradually becoming a thing of the past in Lagos because of the attention the incumbent government gave to road rehabilitation and construction, to ensure continuity there is the need to reelect him in 2019.”
The group also sited the financial dexterity of the administration. It said despite the economic recession and other challenges in the country, particularly the fall in oil price “Ambode was able to achieve much in the area of infrastructure.” Although, the group agreed that all is yet uhuru, it said Ambode reelection would be of immense benefit to Lagos. It stressed: “The government is not only elite oriented. Members of the urban and rural communities are also feeling the impact of the administration simultaneously. This informed the 113 roads contract the governor approved across the 57 local governments.”
He added that the government has also impacted in the areas of security, job creation among others, saying, “Today, Lagos State government is controlling instead of fighting crime. In every 200 to 300 meters there are armed security officers stationed to ensure peace and order. This has been achieved through the Security Trust Fund.”
Meanwhile there are concerns that the group’s activities and the various endorsements rally organised for the governor is not only foreclosing internal democracy in the party but is likely to intimidate other interested governorship aspirants from race.
It was also noted that the group’s coming out at this period, when Ambode is yet to be elected as the APC governorship candidate indicated nothing but the fact that all is not well within the party in terms of unity and likewise the persistent heaps of refuse allover the state does not portray the government as effective as Suleiman presented it. He assured that the government would find lasting solutions to the refuse challenges. He also exonerated Ambode and his predecessors from blame over the perennial traffic gridlock along the Apapa corridor. He said, “Lagos State government has been willing to fix the Apapa gridlock but those benefiting from the area at the national level are the hindrance.”