On May 29, Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) will bow out of office with pride, after completing two terms of eight years. Unlike some of his colleagues, who are now senators-elect, he did not contest. What future awaits the governor? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU asks.
The greatest achievement of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) is that he will hand over to another technocrat, party man and progressive disciple, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, thereby fulfilling the dream of a government of continuity.
Fashola’s predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has been described as the pathfinder. The governor has also lived up to expectation as an actualiser. Now, it is up to Ambode, the chartered accountant, to justify the confidence reposed in him as the consolidator.
Seven and half years have passed like a flash of lightening since Fashola became the governor. On May 29, he will bow out of office after a meritorious service.
What role will he play when he vacates office? Will he return to his chamber? Many had expected that the governor will vie for the Senate in the Lagos West District, which hosts the seat of government. But, he did not show interest during the primaries. When the All Progressives Congress (APC) forms the next central government, will he make the cabinet? Or will Fashola set up a non-governmental organisation (NGO) to pursue worthy causes in aid of humanity?
For many years to come, Lagosians will recall the Fashola years with fondness. The governor will be remembered as an astute and hardworking administrator. In the governorship, parliamentary and presidential campaigns, references were made to his achievements in the Centre of Excellence. The recent general elections brought out the best in the lawyer-turned politician. He campaigned with vigour. But, according to party chieftains, the governor will not be remembered as a strategic politician, powerful organiser and shrewd mobiliser. He will only remain a reference point as an excellent administrator.
Two men, Ambode, the APC standard bearer, who is now the governor-elect, and Jimi Agbaje, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, struggled to succeed Fashola. But, it was clear from the beginning that, judging by the predictable disposition of Lagosians, the APC candidate will have an edge over his PDP rival at the general elections. Although many thought that Fashola did not support the former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, at the primaries, Fashola deployed enormous power and resources to ensure his victory. After the primaries, the governor has dispelled the rumour that Ambode was not his preferred candidate. He clarified to reporters that Ambode was his preferred choice from the beginning. Some believed him, others did not. But, Fashola knew that the chartered accountant would emerge as his successor, following his emergence as the candidate at the transparent primaries held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
At the flag-off of the governorship campaigns in Ikeja, the governor justified Ambode’s candidature, saying that he is better than Agbaje. Fashola called for the sustainability of the progress made in Lagos by the progressive family in the last 16 years. He said the former Accountant-General has youthful vigour and zest, which are required for the job. “It is a tough job. I took the job at the age of 44. Now, I am 52. When I took the job, I could count the number of grey hairs I had. Now, I can’t count them again. I thank Lagosians for giving me the job. I thank Lagosians for also taking care of me. Akinwumi Ambode is younger than me. You need youthfulness to do this job. That man (the PDP candidate) is already 60. An old man cannot do the job. If you call him at midnight, he will not pick your call, “ he added.
When he bows out, Fashola will be greatly missed by Lagosians. But, he will not be on the same pedestal with his indomitable leader and predecessor, Asiwaju Tinubu. Since he may not deploy deft political skills and sagacity, as the outcome of the governorship shadow poll has shown, the legal star may play nominal roles in party affairs at the state level in post-2015 period. It was believed that the governor was either backing the aspiration of Works Commissioner Dr. Obafemi Hamzat or Supo Sasore (SAN), his former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. But, both aspirants could not fly.
Few brilliant minds are as lucky as Fashola. When he succeeded Alhaji Layiwola Mohammed as the Chief of Staff in 2003, eyes were not on him. The lawyer from Surulere was a quiet, easy-going, lefty aide in the cabinet office. Before he joined the government, he was a promising lawyer in Kafaru Tinubu Chamber. Although he occupied a powerful and influential position in the Tinubu Administration, he did not see himself as a politician and power broker.
Fashola was expected to be the link or liaison officer between the government and the ruling party. But, according to sources, he was not keen about the role. Therefore, when his boss nominated him for governorship, many party members were surprised. Tinubu’s Special Adviser-designate on Political and Legislative Matters, Hon. Lateef Raji, who broke the news to reporters, said the former governor had seen what many people could not see. “Our leader, Governor Bola Tinubu, is backing a particular aspirant. He described him as a SAN with a sound mind. I tell you, he will become the next governor,” he said.
When members of the State Executive Council got wind of Tinubu’s succession plan, there was a bitter opposition to it. The exception was Works Commissioner Rauf Aregbesola, who supported his boss. Immediately, the singing train of party women, led by Iya Kalokalo Folake Shokunbi, started to compose songs at party meetings for Fashola.
Other aspirants were envious. There was a sort of resentment. The aspirants-Otunba Olufemi Pedro, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Dr. Tola Kasali, Mrs. Remi Adikwu-Bakare, Ganiyu Solomon, Hon. Oyinlomo Danmole protested. When Fashola stormed the party secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja to collect the nomination form, drummers accosted him at the gate. He was not prepared for funfair. He waved at the crowd, baring the two-finger victory. Tinubu became Fashola’s coach. At the palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, aspirants were showering money on drummers and party women. Fashola was indifferent. The former governor said: “Tunde, as a politician, you need to spend money too.”
Before the primaries, there was a live television debate involving the aspirants. Fashola and Pedro nearly clashed at the event. Apparently in a bid to disparage the office of the Chief of Staff, the former deputy governor likened it to an inconsequential portfolio. Fashola fired back, saying that he allocated official duties on behalf of Tinubu to the members of the executive council.
After the primaries, there was a revolt, but it was short-lived. Some aspirants ran to the Afenifere leaders for refuge. But, they later returned to the Action Congress (AC) when they discovered that their future was bleak there. Tinubu embarked on reconciliation. A party insider said, although the position of running mate was offered to Adikwu Bakare, she rejected it. The circumstances surrounding Tinubu’s inability to return to the Senate in 2007 were also not in the realm of conjecture. The coast was not clear, according to sources. The experienced politician saw the handwriting on the wall. The power-loaded President, Olusegun Obasanjo, was not disposed to Tinubu’s senatorial ambition. The former governor therefore, stepped down and gave the ticket to an aggrieved governorship aspirant, Solomon.
After emerging as the standard bearer, Fashola was able to convince Lagosians that he will be a worthy successor. He is fluent, witty and, at times, humorous. His response to questions during debates and media interviews are usually sound, logical and convincing. Therefore, despite the general perception that he was a Tinubu boy, he also came across as a brilliant person who has learned the ropes.
After assuming the reins, Fashola began to build on his predecessor’s achievement in a grand style. He cleared Oshodi, the ever throbbing and chaotic bus stop on the mainland, to the surprise of people who thought that it was impossible. The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) was already in the pipeline. Fashola implemented it faithfully. He also embarked on road construction, school rehabilitation and housing projects. Lagos became a huge construction site. Those who grumbled when Tinubu insisted on Fashola as the candidate said that the former governor has been vindicated. Governors, ministers and other foreign officials visited Lagos to commend the governor. Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu described him as the best governor and a role model, urging other governors to emulate him.
Despite his performance, it was relatively difficult for him to convince the party that he deserved re-nomination in 2011. There were certain developments that made the second term race uneasy. The dawned on the Fashola camp that the selection process at primaries was an exclusive party affair and certain things must be put right to secure re-nomination. A source said that the House of Assembly dangled the impeachment hammer. Although Fashola survived, the lessons were not lost on him and other apolitical figures in government. His former deputy, Princess Sarah Sosan, was not that lucky. Her position was taken by another Awori, Mrs. Victoria Tawakalitu Orelope-Adefulire, who was the Women Affairs Commissioner.
In his second term, Fashola consolidated on the achievements of the first term. There has not been any lull in governance. Even, controversial steps and difficult decisions were taken in the interest of the state. An eloquent speaker, Fashola justified every action during the 100 days programme, where he rendered accounts.
As preparations for the governorship poll gathered momentum, there was tension in the ruling party. Many chieftains, including Dr. Muiz Banire, the National Legal Adviser, raised the alarm that the party might be doomed because of what he described as its culture of imposition. Before then, Fashola had bared his mind on succession in the political family and state. At Tinubu’s birthday in Lagos, he publicly advised his leader not to be partial in political selection. An unruffled Tinubu, in his reply, reminded the governor of how he emerged. Stressing that he had no regret about his support for his candidature at the 2007 primaries, the former governor emphasised that, if he had not been partial, Fashola would not have become governor and Lagos would not have achieved the tremendous progress.
Tinubu’s reply threw more light on the doctrine of party supremacy and the gerontocratic wisdom of elders as the guidance of the process. There are three characteristics of a political party — ideology, organisation and leadership. Although many will aspire, there is need for selfless elders and inspiring leaders to brainstorm on what is suitable for the party and acceptable to the voting public.
In fact, many politicians perceive political partiality as a loose concept. Elder statesman Chief Bisi Akande, a member of the old order, justified the role of the party leadership in the selection of candidates, saying that money bags could hijack the process, if it is not well guided by the party. A Lagos legislator, Bisi Yusuf, said the selection is a party affair, adding: “When it does not favour them, it is imposition. When it favours them, they talk about party supremacy and party discipline.”
Under normal circumstances, a governor will not be indifferent to the nature, tendency and sentiment of his successor. However, according to observers, the climate must be right. Thus, when Fashola attempted to assert personality, sources said he could not mobilise for the success of his preferred candidate at the primaries because he was not in control of the party machinery.
In post-2015 period, Fashola may write his memoir. Many are of the view that the achievements of his administration should be documented. If he returns to his profession, he will not be the first lawyer-politician to do so. Shortly after his release from the prison and after serving as the Federal Commissioner for Finance, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo picked up his wigs. Other politicians-Chief Richard Akinjide, Chief Kehinde Sofola, Chief Theophilus Benson, Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya-returned to the law practice after leaving the government.
However, a party source said that, being a founding father of the APC, his experience would also be required in the re-shaping of Nigeria under the new administration headed by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. “Except he decides otherwise, Fashola will be useful to the next government and Nigeria at the federal level,” he added.
The transition in Lagos will be smooth. Between now and May 29, Fashola will be Ambode’s tutor. He is expected to pass critical information about governance to his successor because, just as Tinubu’s achievement has been Fashola’s success, the success of Ambode will also be Fashola’s achievement after vacating power.
Fashola will remain a factor in Lagos for a long time because of his feats. Many also believe that he will be a reference point in good governance for a long time.
