Lagos and scramble for appointments

With the inauguration of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration for a second term in office, AKINWALE ABOLUWADE writes that the jostle for political appointments in the state has assumed a dramatic turn There are indications that ambition has continued to run wild in the political circle in Lagos State, especially following the inauguration of Governor Babatunde Fashola for a second term in office a week ago. The craving, according to close watchers of events, is the juicy political appointments that are up for grabs in the state, and none of the interested parties is ready to give in the race for the positions.

The struggle for political appointments in the ‘Centre of Excellence’ dates back to the pre-election period. Then, it was gathered that influential politicians in the state had pledged their support towards Fashola’s re-election bid on the ground that they shall be compensated with appointments if he eventually emerged victorious at the poll.

Now that the governor’s re-emergence is sealed, the belief in some quarters is that this is payback time for those who toiled day and night for the hard-won victory of the party. Feelers indicate that there are frantic offstage efforts by politicians striving for certain positions, elective and otherwise in the state.

Indeed, for many of those eyeing these positions, this is the only way to reap the fruit of loyalty to the governor and the ruling party in the state. Interestingly at the moment, the majority of those who expressed this view hold that the sure way for those jostling for political appointments is by seeking favour from former Governor Bola Tinubu who they described as the political lord of Lagos.

One of the early beneficiaries of the pact in the Lagos deal, our correspondent gathered, is the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, who having emerged as a lawmaker the third time, negotiated his way to clinch the exalted position of the speaker. Ikuforiji, who allegedly contested as a lawmaker in Ikeja as a result of the difficulty envisaged in realizing his goal of returning in his constituency in Epe, was said to have had his way based on the strength of his close relationship with Tinubu.

Following his victory at the poll, Ikuforiji went on to chart his way to the seat of Speaker, a position he already held for two legislative terms. His joker, again, a co-lawmaker who pleaded anonymity, said, was his affinity with his political godfather.

He said, “Tinubu, you know, is a force to reckon with in the politics of the state. The party leadership summoned Ikuforiji and the majority leader, Taiwo Kolawole. It was at the meeting that Tinubu decided what he wanted the house to do.”

Against all odds, therefore, Ikuforiji emerged as the Speaker through unanimous vote on Tuesday.

Circumstance surrounding his appointment has, however, been silently rebuffed by many party loyalists even as those who were opposed to the decision were said to be reluctant to speak on the issue. Again, opinions have swelled on the possibility that the power brokers in the state, having set the tone for appointment of Speaker of the house, may as well prevail on the governor in determining who makes the appointment list.

The Assistant Publicity Secretary of ACN in Lagos, Chief Funso Ologunde, who spoke on the alleged strife rocking the party over political appointments in the state, said the propaganda was being sponsored by desperate elements in the party.

Ologunde explained, “I have also heard such story being bandied about, but I see that as a figment of desperation to prepare for excuses that such people can render to justify their exclusion from the final list of political appointees when it is finally out.

“Honestly as an officer of the party, I have not seen any evidence that such a thing is going on which is why I asked people peddling such a rumour to justify the fact that the governor is being prevailed upon by some forces.”

When contacted the governor’s spokesman, Mr. Hakeem Bello, simply said he was not competent to comment on such sensitive issue. “I suggest that you speak with the chieftains of the party instead because they know better,” he noted.

But whether this is true or not, some chieftains of the party in the state agreed that pressure has continued to build on the governor over the issue of appointment. Ologunde, who advised Fashola to be wary of lobbyists whose purpose may be basically self-serving, noted that there was the need to appoint sincere and visionary people into the cabinet.

He said, “My advice is that he should put the same diligence and thoroughness that he employed in setting up the last cabinet as a guide this time around. He should emphasise intelligence and ability to deliver in his choice of appointment.”

On the clamour by some communities for appointment of some of their own, a chieftain of the party from Epe in Epe Local Government area, Chief Lanre Razaq, charged the governor not to be stampeded into making the appointments. However, he observed that it was natural for any community to make a case for their people so that their communities would not be sidelined.

He said, “The communities will not wait to be underdeveloped. They will naturally seek representation so that their interest could be protected. There is nowhere in the world where there are no pressure on government when making appointments.”

According to Razaq, there is nowhere in the world where the power brokers will not want to preserve their interest.

He added, “It is a natural thing that the power behind the curtains and others that contributed to the success of the party will not want to benefit from appointments. But again, it is left for the governor who has the right to determine what happens on the final note to act appropriately.”

Now, some communities as well as some personalities in the state have continued to jostle for appointments. Only recently a group of Badagry youths called for the appointment of one of their own. And just before long another group in Epe and Alimosho urged the governor to appoint credible people from their domains so as to place the yearnings of their people at the front burner.

A group of youths from Badagry town in Lagos State explaining that they deviated from their political norm of supporting the opposition by voting for the ACN to attract development to their community called for the appointment of their leader — Mr Kamarudeen Ajape.

However, Ajape, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party, said the purpose of defecting to the ACN was to align his community with mainstream politics in the state in order to attract development to their area.

He said, “Badagry as a town with immense tourist potential should be developed so as to attract tourists and investors globally. Unfortunately, the potential that abound in the community have not been tapped. We lack social infrastructure and we want industrial estates.”

A political leader in Epe, Alhaji Akanni Bamu, who enjoined Fashola to turn attention to Epe, called for the appointment of people from the area.

He said, “We are lagging behind in terms of infrastructure development and appointments. I want him to improve on that. I also want him to facilitate small-scale industries to the area. Epe needs special attention. There are poverty and squalour in Epe. Even, the fishing occupation is dying. The only industry there now is the local government. Epe’s quota in the boards and parastatals should be given to patriotic indigenes that are ready to work for the progress of the community and state.”

However, in the midst of all this call, Ologunde said the governor must be able to constitute his cabinet without compromising standard.