Ambode Bails Sanwo-Olu Out Of A Major Dilemma

Eniola Adeniyi

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode just did the governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu a very good turn.

Ambode has taken the plunge to face the backlash for demolishing buildings in the state to protect lives and property.

This development comes on the heels of pains and anguish that trailed the collapse of a 3storey building on Massey street, ItaFaaji, Lagos Island.

The tragedy resulted in the lives of about twelve people including school children, a pregnant woman and an intending bride.

The collapsed building housed a school and residential apartments.

The development had attracted widespread outcry including an accusation by George Akinola, the President of the Building Collapse Prevention Guild that the government is culpable.

Akinola who spoke on Channels Television early morning programme Sunrise Daily on Thursday, March 14, 2019, insisted that his guild had given different administrations in Lagos state from Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to Babatunde Raji Fashola and incumbent Akinwunmi Ambode presentations on how to avoid such occurrences but they turn a blind eye.

Those who should know claim that the political will to carry out the building collapse prevention agenda -including demolition of property marked as lacking structural integrity – as the reason for the delay.

‘’Nobody wants to be left carrying the bag of unfavourable public opinion that may everlastingly hunt him at the polls’’ a source pointed out.

And Ambode who hands over on May 29 has bailed the incoming administration out of such a dilemma.

The Governor whose party – All Progressives Congress – restricted him to a single term initiated the demolitions of structurally defect buildings this morning – Friday, March 15 2019.

Societynow.ng learned that with armed policemen serving as cover, agents of the Lagos State Building Control Agency kicked started the exercise with the demolition of a 3storey building on Freeman street, Epetedo, Lagos Island.

Societynow.ng learned that citizens are being urged to report cases of buildings that require the attention of the demolition crew in their areas.

‘’Even in the face of euphoria of public sentiments over the loss of lives in Lagos island tragedy this is one bold step Ambode has taken, he has laid very good precedence for Sanwo-Olu to follow through. He has broken the jinx at the risk of getting covered in darker colours’’ a source pointed out.

‘’I think Ambode just bailed Sanwo-Olu who is riding into office on the wave of huge public acceptance out of the big dilemma of how to start knocking people’s homes down in the name of protecting them as payback for electing him into office’’ another source added.