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Ambode Weighs Options as Efforts to Secure Tinubu’s Support Fail

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  • Ambode Weighs Options as Efforts to Secure Tinubu’s Support Fail

As it becomes more obvious that the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, will not change his mind on his decision not to support Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s second term of office ambition, the embattled governor is weighing his options and will soon make his next move public.

Although Tinubu has not spoken publicly about his reported opposition to Ambode’s ambition, his political foot soldiers, massed in the Mandate Movement, the same group that facilitated the governor’s ride to power in 2015, have publicly declared their support for the Managing Director of Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC), Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Sanwo-Olu formally launched his intention to take over Ambode’s job on Sunday at a huge gathering at the Lagos City Hall with the major stakeholders of the Lagos APC, including local government and development councils’ chairmen in attendance, signifying the breakdown of negotiations with Tinubu by peace makers, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to save the governor’s job.

Even as his aides kept hope alive last night, saying further discussions were on in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, where the party’s regional and national leaders have assembled to hold a final rally for APC’s governorship candidate in next Saturday’s election, Chief Gboyega Oyetola, Ambode is said to be weighing the options available to him.

The options, according to his close aides, who spoke yesterday on condition of anonymity, are, step down because without Tinubu’s support, he has no other structure with which to fight; join another party as proposed by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); and fight at the state nomination congress slated for Monday and go down like a man.

In the event that Tinubu remains adamant and withholds support, the aides said, the most viable option for Ambode is to step down and go home.

“Ambode did not prepare for the prevailing circumstances,” said an aide, “therefore, he does not have alternative plan to respond to his dilemma.”

Brought in from political obscurity by Tinubu and helped into office through the massive political machine, called Mandate Movement, headed by Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Ambode was not in a position to attempt creating his own structure.

The initial attempts he made, said his aides, were stoutly resisted by the political establishment.

“The few policy changes and appointments he made were seen as a move by him to stand alone and assert his authority. This is what has brought him to the current sorry state,” said another aide.

Without a structure of his own, his close associates, according to THISDAY sources, are advising him to step down and let go. “After all, he was in his quiet corner before he was asked to come and be governor. If they don’t want him again, why would he fight them? How will he do it anyway?” said a source.

The thinking, said another source, is that a soft landing could be arranged for Ambode, whereby he would be allowed to serve out his term and go home in peace without any further molestation, which could include removal from office since his traducers have control of the House of Assembly.

The other two options, said a close associate, could not be contemplated without serious complications and consequences.

According to him, “Yes, he could join another party, as being proposed by the PDP but that could be grievous as the APC dominated House of Assembly could move against him before the general election.”

However, some other associates argue that a removal from office move might be difficult to carry out since the Chief Judge of the state, who is expected to constitute the investigation panel might not cooperate being a wife of a traditional ruler in the state that is sympathetic to the embattled governor.

The third option of going into the congress, knowing full well that he would be beaten, is also being advised against by his associates and aides who think that would undermine his political legacy and record and bring him in full conflict with the national leader and his political machine.

“Once he takes that route and he is defeated, and he sure would be, the political establishment would not spare him. If they can’t remove him from office, he would spend the rest of his term fighting battles he is not likely to win. Is that what he wants?” said an associate.

But not a few of his associates still hope that a miracle could still happen even when the signs are clear that Tinubu risks internal revolt if he decides to back down and support Ambode.

An APC source said yesterday that series of meetings were held last night and might continue in Osogbo either before or after the final political rally for the APC candidate.

According to the source, President Muhammadu Buhari, Osinbajo, former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, the APC National Chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, and the APC governors will attend the political gathering.

The source disclosed that Ambode would equally depart “to Osogbo, not only because of the political rally, but also due to the extended peace meeting that will likely hold in the state today before or after the political gathering. He will join other APC leaders in the state.

He said, “Do not forget all the key actors in the Ambode-Tinubu friction will also be in Osogbo. Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, who is the arrowhead of the Mandate Movement, will host them. Allegedly, also, Aregbesola is a major factor in Ambode’s ordeal.

“As a matter of fact, some of these leaders have even gone ahead. Most likely, the APC leaders will revisit the Ambode-Tinubu crisis. The party leaders will take advantage of the Osun rally to end the impasse between Tinubu and his political godson.”

Apart from the peace meeting scheduled to hold in Osogbo today, another source claimed that he spoke with Ambode Sunday night, which according to him, his re-election bid on the platform of the APC had not been foreclosed against the social media reports.

He said, “I spoke with His Excellency Sunday night. From all indications, his re-election has not been foreclosed. All the party leaders are still talking. The party leaders will be going to Osogbo for the final campaign rally of the APC governorship candidate.”

If all peace efforts eventually fail, the source claimed that Ambode would not fight the APC leader even though he had resources “to prosecute such political battle. His Excellency is not thinking of fighting his political godfather because he wants to seek re-election.”

Contrary to some social media reports, the source noted that the governor might not defect to another political platform in pursuit of re-election.

However, according to him, “We are hopeful that the peace meetings will eventually yield meaningful outcome.”

In a related development yesterday, Ambode sent the audience laughing while acknowledging Tinubu at the public presentation of ‘Africa Rise and Shine’, a book by Chairman of Zenith Bank, Chief Jim Ovia.

At the book presentation held at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Ambode was invited to speak immediately after the APC leader.

As he mounted the podium, the governor acknowledged virtually all the dignitaries, noting that he was not prepared to give a speech.

“Actually, I did not prepare to come and say anything here. Aside, who am I to speak after the Jagaban has spoken?” he said.

Ambode’s statement elicited uniform reaction from the audience and himself, compelling them to laugh for a brief period before making some remarks on Ovia.

Ambode political future has been uncertain immediately after the Sanwo-Olu and former Lagos State Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, obtained the nomination forms to contest the APC primary scheduled to hold on September 25.

Just after obtaining the nomination form, the Mandate Movement, a political group loyal to the APC national leader, promptly endorsed Sanwo-Olu, the state’s Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions under the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to contest the 2019 governorship poll.

Subsequently, Conference 57, a forum of Chairmen of 20 Local Government Areas (LGAs) as well as 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state, signed Sanwo-Olu’s governorship nomination form, claiming that they were acting on the instruction of the APC leader.

Some APC chieftains including former Deputy Chairman of Lagos APC, Cardinal James Odumbaku and former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Kaoli Olusanya allegedly directed Ambode to return his nomination form or face impeachment at a meeting held at Watercress Hotel, Ikeja Monday night.

With these political dynamics that redefined the state’s governorship race, Buhari, Osinbajo, Oshiomhole, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi have at different times intervened in the Ambode-Tinubu standoff without meaningful outcome.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Senate Suspends Senator Abdul Ningi for 3 Months Over Budget Padding Allegations

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Abdul-Ahmed-Ningi

The Senate has announced the suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi for three months following his allegations of budget padding to the tune of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 budget.

Ningi, who represents Bauchi Central and chairs the Senate Committee on Population, had made the claims in a recent interview with the Hausa service of the BBC.

During a plenary session, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, raised a motion to address Ningi’s allegations, citing the urgent need to address what he termed as “false allegations.”

The transcript of Ningi’s interview was read on the Senate floor, prompting deliberation on the appropriate action to take.

Initially, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim proposed a 12-month suspension for Ningi, but Senator Chris Ekpeyong moved to reduce it to six months.

Eventually, Senator Garba Maidoki amended the motion further, suggesting a three-month suspension.

The amended motion was put to a voice vote, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the decision to suspend Ningi for three months.

Following the ruling, Ningi was escorted out of the Senate chamber by the Sergeants-at-arms.

The suspension comes amidst division within the Senate over Ningi’s claims, with some senators disowning his allegations and calling for a thorough investigation.

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Ekiti Governor Unveils Multi-Billion Naira Relief Programmes Amid Economic Crisis

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Biodun Oyebanji

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has announced a comprehensive relief package aimed at alleviating the hardship faced by the people of the state.

The relief programs encompass various sectors to cushion the impact of the economic downturn.

One of the key initiatives entails clearing salary arrears amounting to over N2.7 billion owed to both State and Local Government workers.

This move signifies the government’s commitment to addressing the financial burdens faced by its workforce.

Furthermore, Governor Oyebanji has approved a substantial increase of N600 million per month in the subvention of autonomous institutions, including the Judiciary and tertiary institutions.

This augmentation is intended to enable these institutions to implement wage awards in alignment with State and Local Government workers’ salaries.

In addition to addressing salary arrears, the relief programs extend to pensioners, with the approval of payments totaling N1.5 billion for two months’ pension arrears.

Moreover, an increase in the monthly gratuity payment to state pensioners and local government pensioners will provide additional financial support, totaling N200 million monthly.

The relief initiatives also encompass agricultural and small-scale business sectors.

The allocation of funds for food production and livestock transformation projects underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and economic sustainability at the grassroots level.

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that these relief programs are part of the state’s concerted efforts to mitigate the adverse effects of the economic downturn and foster shared prosperity.

The comprehensive nature of the initiatives reflects a proactive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by Ekiti State residents.

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President Tinubu Orders Immediate Settlement of N342m Electricity Bill for Presidential Villa

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President Bola Tinubu has directed the prompt settlement of a N342 million outstanding electricity bill owed by the Presidential Villa to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

This move comes in response to the reconciliation of accounts between the State House Management and the AEDC.

The AEDC had earlier threatened to disconnect electricity services to the Presidential Villa and 86 Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) over a total outstanding debt of N47.20 billion as of December 2023.

Contrary to the initial claim by the AEDC that the State House owed N923 million in electricity bills, the Presidency clarified that the actual outstanding amount is N342.35 million.

This discrepancy underscores the importance of accurate accounting and reconciliation between entities.

In a statement signed by President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency affirmed the commitment to settle the debt promptly.

Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila assured that the debt would be paid to the AEDC before the end of the week.

The directive from the Presidency extends beyond the State House, as Gbajabiamila urged other MDAs to reconcile their accounts with the AEDC and settle their outstanding electricity bills.

The AEDC, on its part, issued a 10-day notice to the affected government agencies to settle their debts or face disconnection.

This development highlights the importance of financial accountability and responsible management of public utilities.

It also underscores the necessity for government entities to fulfill their financial obligations to service providers promptly, ensuring uninterrupted services and avoiding potential disruptions.

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