Details: Why Insiders Insist Ex- Gov Ambode Should Be Thanking His Stars He Did Not Get A Second Term

‘Sola Onamodu

Akinwunmi Ambode should be thanking his stars he didn’t get another term as the Governor of Lagos State insiders tell societynow.ng.

He would have struggled helplessly in the bid to contend with what incumbent Babajide Sanwo-Olu battling with sources claim.

In barely two years in office incumbent, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has faced far more than the waste disposal and public transport management issues that soured Ambode’s goodwill with the public and made nonsense of his rapport with politicians that brought him to power.

While Ambode spent four years and failed to master these issues, Sanwo-Olu in barely two years as Governor has fought the multiple demons of Covid-19, EndSars, EndSars aftermath as defined by the destructions that rocked Lagos state and the recent food blockage and the troubles trailing it.

The Governor squared up to these crises that placed him under the critical glare of national – and international – observers and emerged the new definition of good governance.

The checks by societynow.ng revealed that Sanwo-Olu did not just master these crises but posted impressive revenue in the face of these massive challenges.

The National Bureau of Statics stated ’that Lagos State had the highest IGR with N204.51bn or 33.37 percent of the total figure recorded in H1 2020.’

And Sanwo-Olu completed ( sped up work on ) just declared or about to be declared open projects which include the 52 Tonne Per Hour Imota Rice Mill in Ikorodu, the Pen Cinema Junction Flyover and Ramp in Agege, the Restored Glover Memorial Hall, Marina, Lagos Island and the Ariyo (Mile 10) – Ira – Muwo Bridge Phase 1 in Ojo as well as in Iponri, comprising 132 housing units, LagosHOMS Housing Project in Lekki Phase 2, comprising 84 housing units and the LagosHOMS Housing Project Phase 2B in Igbogbo, comprising 84 housing units.’

According to Rasaki Musbau – an Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Infrastructure Asset Management Agency (LASIAMA), Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos – the 2020 budget pegged at N1.168 trillion funded by a projected total revenue of N1.071 trillion, and a deficit amounting to N97.53 billion reportedly scored 98% on total Revenue while total Recurrent Expenditure performed at 71% and 83% respectively as at September, 2020.

Sanwo-Olu achieved all these at time revenue gates were shutdown and tension ravaged the state.

While also carrying out the balancing acts of managing the different emotions and egos of politicians that helped him to power – a thing Ambode failed to achieved and was a major catalyst of how things fell apart for him.

And to show great confidence and gusto in what he plans for the future, Sanwo-Olu has started implementing a N1.163trillion budget of “Rekindling Hope” – for 2021 – to quicken the state’s return to the path of progress disrupted by the crises of 2020.

The Covid-19 crisis includes a shutdown of all activities – public and private – for weeks, with the situation still under review as the government continues to review and ease movements.

Lagos was adjudged the epicenter and Sanwo-Olu’s handling of the situation widely labeled legendary and particularly noted by President Muhammadu Buhari to have tremendously helped the nation in containing the situation all over the country.

Lagos was particularly at the receiving end of EndSars, the agitation against police brutality which resulted in street protests and lockdown of targeted places which spread to other parts of the country.

The protests started in Lagos and ended – in major tragedy – in Lagos.

The ending was particularly fatal as hoodlums hijacked the protests and went on what appeared a sponsored destruction of targeted public facilities and businesses owned by certain persons including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and those identified as his associates and attacks of public officials and random persons in the guise of protesting the Army’s handling of the EndSars protesters at Lekki Toll Gate.

The acts of vandalism were tears evoking but the Governor led an inspired response that is retelling the story for the better.

Sanwo-Olu’s performance on the saddle so far validates the assertion by his loyalists that he came prepared for the job, although his emergence caught everybody unawares and few people bet on him to come this far societynow.ng’s finings revealed.

Mr Sanwo-Olu, 55, held different key positions in the banking world including the Head Foreign Market, He was the chairman of a multifaceted company with interests in construction, property development, and human capital development. He served in the cabinet of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a commissioner and was a part of the administration of Babatunde Fashola also as a commissioner.

“He understands the way things are, the things that are important, the things that he has to do to make a difference, a mark” a source stated.

“Naturally there are still much to be desired and the opportunities to transform into more impactful concept but that does not take away from the reality that Sanwo-Olu is on a fantastic as it is” societynow.ng learned.

Sanwo-Olu is said to run an administration that allows his appointees and aides to express themselves within the purview of delivering on the driving force of the vision for a Greater Lagos, hinged on the six strategic pillars of T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.

T.H.E.M.E.S is an acronym for Sanwo-Olu administration’s six strategic development agenda namely, Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology.

“Sanwo-Olu has been able to do all that is doing with the cooperation and support of his aides and the politicians, Imagine if Ambode secured another term in office with all the baggage of frictions hanging on his neck..he should be thanking his stars and we should be thanking our luck too ” a source pointed out.