Tag: Akinwunmi Ambode

One of the best campaign songs for the 2015 general elections, belong to AkinwunmiAmbode. He is the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, in Lagos state. I referto that campaign theme song that ignites thus: ambooo ambo.ambooo ambo … After that intro, the music takes the listener through a delectable thematic content and beats, to rally the voter’s mind around the APC’scandidate’s potential. Regardless of the variant, that campaign thematic song, urges the listener to vote Ambode, during the  next gubernatorial elections. His opponents, particularly Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have their own theme songs, but none excites, like A+MBODE’s own.

The A+MBODE sign, has to do with the visual theme of Ambode’s campaign. On this score, the APC candidate surely has his acts together. Among the numerous campaign posters, one of the most memorable also belongs to him. I refer to the poster, where AMBODE delicately joins his two palms, perhaps in supplication for votes, but more significantly, a pose depicting his devotion to unity and peace. For the religious, it is the Amen or Amin sign. With a chubby, handsome, and peaceful face, solemnly looking ahead, the APC candidate, seems to be praying for a successful election. There, his bright eyes oozes love, while his palms delicately sticking together, is an open plea for all Lagos residents to come out en masse, to unanimously endorse him, as the next governor of Lagos State.

Talking of endorsements, the APC candidate surely has his bag full, with very significant endorsers. The first and perhaps one of the most treasured endorsements, came from the traditional ruler of Lagos. Interestingly, before Akinwunmi Ambode became a household name and a gubernatorial frontrunner,in record time, Oba Rilwanu Lukman Akiolu, openly endorsed A+MBODE as the anointed candidate,to take over the governorship of Lagos state, after the glorious reign of Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN. With that royal decreeby the preeminent Lagos State monarch, Akinwunmi’scandidacy took a life of its own.

Significantly, Mr. Ambode also has the emblematic support of the incumbent governor of Lagos State. The endorsement by the learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is not half-hearted. It is total, unequivocal and comprehensive. To sell A+MBODE, Governor Fashola is not leaving anything to chance. He uses town hall meetings, campaign stands, official functions, and indeedall opportunities,to expertly market his candidate. He sells Ambode as more experienced than his closest rival, Jimi Agbaje, of the PDP. He reels out A+MBODE’s excellent performance in public service, and excitedly tell Lagosians that his candidate has the competence, drive and ingenuity to shepherd the state of excellence.

Governor Fashola, himself, with impeccable credentials as governor, dutifully reminds Lagosians of the numerous signature projects of his administration, and the need for sustenance.He warns Lagos voters not to torpedo the Lagos-Badagry rail project that has reached advanced stage; the Bus Rapid Mass Transit programme that has brought modernity to Lagos; the urban renewal program that street by street, is restoring the pride of Lagos. He talks about the free and qualitative strides in education, which has restored the impetus of primary and secoundary education, with all the potentials that it portends for the future of the state.

The Governor of the state of excellence, reminds Lagosians of the need to sustain the financial autonomy and independence of the state. He reminds Lagos residents that AkinwunmiAmbode was at the financial trench, to rout the imperial invasion by the federal government, under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, which had withheld the funds of the local government councils, to cripple the state. He sells his candidate as a financial genius, an administrative expert, who will hit the ground running, if elected his successor, as he has been part and parcel of the success story of the state of excellence. Like a proud marketer of an excellent product, BRF excitedly reals out A+’s multiple academic laurels, and the other numerous exhibits of his fecundity.

The man who started it all, to the glory of Lagos state,Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, advisedly tellsLagosians that we should all board the Ambode train, as it is sure to lead to further prosperity. The distinguished leader of the strongest opposition party ever, in the chequered political history of Nigeria, we must remember, was the Nostradamus, who saw the brilliant performance of BabatundeFashola, well before he nominated him, as his successor.He reminds us that he was castigated by those without the gift of clairvoyance. But like all true leaders, he stood his ground then, that, Fashola was the man; and true to his prediction, BRF today stands out in shining armour.

Now again, the man with the gift of prophesy, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has prophesied that Ambode is the next man with the Midas touch. I guess it makes a lot of sense to believe him. At his campaign stops, AMBODE the man of the moment has shown his capacity for logic and clear thinking. He has shown a firm grasp of fundamental governance issues. He has been able to connect and empathise with the poor and the deprived. He has shown uncommon acumen and succinct grasp of the big issues that would transform the mega city of Lagos, to one of the best and safest in that class.

Ambode has also shown capacity to connect with the ethnic and cultural plurality of Lagos state. In his campaigns, A+ has gained endorsements from discerning cultural associations of non-indigenous peoples of Lagos, without alienating his kits and kin.For Ndigbo in Lagos, with Mr. Ben Akabueze, the Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Fashola’s cabinet leading, they have a stake in AMBODE’S triumph.