2015: Oba Akiolu Endorses Ambode As Governor of Lagos

Rubbishes Kadri Hamzat’s ambition

Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu 1 on Thursday endorsed Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, former Accountant General of Lagos as governor of Lagos in 2015.

akinwunmi Ambode

The oba spoke at the public presentation of the biography of Mr Akin Ambode “The Act of Selfless Service,” written by Marina Osoba, in a hall filled to capacity by a galaxy of politicians, captains of industry, top echelon of the civil service and grass root politicians at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

In his own words: “You people know me well that I do not hide my feelings on where I stand on issues. We the royal fathers have consulted widely within the state with the sons and daughters of Lagos and have come to the conclusion that the best person to take over from Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, the iconic governor of Lagos State is Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.”

Akiolu rubbished the governorship ambition of the Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Hamzat, saying he should not be allowed to become governor in Lagos as his father hails from Ogun State.

“We cannot have a man like this (Ambode) and allow somebody whose father is an Oba in Ewekoro, Ogun State be the Governor of Lagos. Although Lagos State belongs to all Nigerians and the state will continue to offer opportunities to a every Nigerian to actualize the Nigerian dream, Ambode remains the best man with the required pedigree and character take Lagos to the next level.”

He acknowledged that he is not against anybody contesting for the governorship of Lagos and that all political parties, including the All Progressive Congress (APC) have their own procedure for selecting their candidates for elections, but noted that he has the constitutional right to endorse anybody he adjudged as the right candidate for the position as it is done in other climes.

He said this was what he had done by Mr. Akin Ambiode, as a man who stands on a pedestal of integrity and selfless service above all others, to lead the Lagos of today to higher heights tomorrow.

The former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, represented by Mr. Arthur Worry, former Commissioner of Lands in Lagos, in his speech, described Ambode as an industrious public servant who developed the template for the re-engineering of the financial sector of Lagos.

He recalled with nostalgia that Ambode did not only re-engineer the finances of Lagos but also developed the blueprint on how Lagos survived when Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president unilaterally and unconstitutionally seized the local government funds from the federation account.

He further described Ambode as a financial surgeon who has contributed immensely to the development and evolution of Lagos for the past 27 years and described the book as inspirational and recommended it for all Nigerians, especially the youth while wishing Ambode well in his future endeavours.

In his speech, the Governor of Lagos, Mr. Babatude Raji Fashola, represented by Dr. Oluranti Adebule, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) of Lagos, commended Ambode for his selfless service to Lagos.

He noted his exemplary dedication to duty while he served under him as the Accountant General of the State. He described him as a diligent and hardworking administrator.

In his remarks, Ambode thanked Akioluba of Lagos and other royal fathers; the retinue of guest and important dignitaries for not only gracing the occasion and for their kind words for him and promised to continue to render selfless service to Lagos.