Behind The Scene Details Of Ambode’s ”Controversial” Move To Get Lagos Assembly Pass 2019 Budget

Eniola Adeniyi

There a fresh faceoff between Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the Lagos State House of Assembly.

And it is all about the process the Governor has adopted in the bid to pass Lagos State’s 2019 budget.

The Governor is said to have sent the budget to the leadership of the state House of Assembly with a covering note that a phone call would provide answers to any grey arrears found by the legislative arm in the budget.

Though Ambode’s official mouthpiece Habib Haruna in a chat with – and reported by- Tolani Abati attempted to color the true position insiders claim the governor indeed sent the 2019 budget to the legislative arm of government but this after the House went on recess.

‘’And there was no date on it for him to come to present it” societynow.ng learned.

Haruna in the chat reported by journalist Abati claimed that ‘’ when the governor wanted to present the budget on Thursday, December 27, 2018, the members did not form a quorum and that anytime the members are ready the governor will present the budget to the House”.

Societynow.ng sources, however, revealed that the normal practice – all over the world in democratic dispensation – is for the Governor to write and inform the Assembly and a date is agreed on for a presentation (by the Governor).

‘’So how did Chief Press Secretary Habib come up with the date of Thursday, December 27,2018 when the governor did not include any date in the budget and cover letter he sent. It’s obvious the executive is being mischief” a source disclosed.

Insiders also fault Governor Ambode’s spokesperson’s claim that the House did not form a forum.

‘’Lets even humor Habib’s mischief that the governor was serious about presenting the budget without informing the leadership of the House of Assembly of the date he wanted to come, how did Ambode and his mouthpiece confirm a quorum was not formed. And this is bearing in mind 1/3 and not 2/3 of members attendance is required for plenary. it just doesn’t add up” an informant insists.

Emerging details have it that the ‘’growing budget presentation controversy” have root in raging faceoff between the Executive and Legislative arm in Lagos state.

The development has denied the lawmakers certain perks off office that the Governor would have granted, including official cars of some legislative members. While Ambode got a full dose of the fallout with the vote of confidence passed on him by the legislators on his party- All Progressives Congress – platform when he attempted to secure a second term in office.

Ambode lost out in the move and has been condemned to just a single term in office.
‘’I guess the latest twist is part of the chain reaction of raging conflict between the two organs of government in Lagos state” a source opined.