Mixed reactions trail Ambode’s days in office

After 50 days in office, Lagosians are beginning to express concern over the ability of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to deliver on his campaign promises. But the All Progressives Congress has assured that good governance is on the way.  OKUNADE ADEKUNLE reports

It is barely fifty days since the incumbent Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode was sworn into office, however his days in office is generating mixed reactions across board. Stakeholders are of the view that the governor should as quick as possible hit the ground running without excuse as he is perceived to have clear understanding of the workings of government in the state.

According to them, Ambode’s over one month in office has not really added the expected value which many people were looking forward to since he was a former Accountant General of the state and also a key player in the in the financial administration of the state.

Although, the political stakeholders agree that it is rather too early to judge him on the necessary measurement of good governance, but they were of the view that some of his contemporary who were sworn in the same time with him have executed substantial programmes that could be pointed to as achievements within the short period of time.

some of the people spoke with Hallmark is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Mr. Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi, who stated that Ambode’s days in office has been a mere waste of time in the number of years he will utilize. He explained that the governor does not have any excuse not to perform in the last 50 days, adding that he is not surprised by the performance so far.

Gbadamosi stated further that nothing has been done so far, stressing that the governor was basically oratory on his programmes. He added that the time for promises has gone but that he should hit the ground running as it is expected of him to do.

The PDP chieftain stressed that Ambode’s performance since he came into power cannot be compared with the performance of the Rivers State governor, Dr Nyesom Wike, stating that Wike has  been carrying out programmes that can be pointed at since his was sworn in.

“Nothing has been done. Ambode was just talking. There is no way you can compare him with Governor Wike who has been performing since the beginning of his administration”, said Gbadamosi.

He stated further that many Lagosians are expecting much from Ambode but could be disappointed at the end of the day.

“Many people expect much from him but I don’t expect much from him considering the process through which he became the governor of the state”, said Gbadamosi.

“Ambode was handpicked as the APC governorship candidate by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who installed him as the governor of the state, with such arrangement nothing would be achieved.”

In a similar vein, the former minister of works and PDP chieftain, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, told Hallmark that up till now Ambode is still visiting areas to start from, stressing that starting the government should not be problem of the governor since he was once the Accountant General of the state.

Ogunlewe argued that being a former Accountant General of the state placed him in a position to quickly hit the ground running, adding that much is expected of him being a stakeholder in Lagos enterprise.
He noted that Ambode has not started anything as he has four years to actualize his campaign promises, saying that Lagosians cannot afford to waste the four years mandate given to him because they expect him to perform because of his technical competence of the state institutions.

“Ambode is visiting areas to start work from. Much is expected from him because he is not strange to the system. He has not started doing anything as he still has four years for him to actualize his campaign promises. We believe he should perform because of his technical knowledge of the state institutions”, said Ogunlewe.

But the Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, Legal Adviser, Barrister Ademola Sodiq, argued that it was too early to judge the governor. He said that the governor still has four years to proof himself as consolidator.

He stressed that the governor has been able to address the traffic congestion in mainland most especially, Apapa where there have been serious traffic jam caused by the tanker drivers.

Sodiq stressed that the humanitarian gesture of Ambode as he rescued a citizen of the state on his way to office cannot be distanced from his contribution to good governance.

He however, assured Lagosians that good governance is coming their way in the state as Ambode will continue to execute popular programmes as promised during campaign period. He stated that the governor will ensure conducive environment for private sector operators to strive so as to create more jobs for the youths in the state.

“In his days in office so far, Governor Ambode has been able to address the traffic jam in Apapa area even as he called on the federal government to assist in the area. His kind gesture showed as he rescued a female residents of Lagos when he was coming to office”, said Sodiq.

Speaking further, he disclosed that Ambode is careful in appointing his aides most especially the commissioners that will work with him in the next four years, adding that the delay in the appointment of his aides was not caused by any crisis.

“Lagosians should expect good governance in the remaining days of Governor Ambode as governor.

Creating conducive atmosphere for private sector is paramount for the Governor.” It is obvious that Governor Ambode’s administration will be closely watched by the opposition party, the PDP which lost its case against Ambode at the Election Petition Tribunal recently.