Early in 2007, many registered voters in Lagos were in some dilemma over whom to vote for. To the credit of Lagos democracy and politics, we had quite a good field to choose from-the Action Congress with the incumbency advantages arising from its facilitation by then outgoing Governor Bola Tinubu was the front runner and had nominated Babatunde Raji Fashola, previously Chief of Staff to the Governor as its candidate. However, Fashola was not, it appeared going to coast home unchallenged. The AC had in the run up to the elections splintered in some way, and many erstwhile cabinet members in Tinubu’s government and senior party men were running against his designated successor. Even Tinubu’s deputy-governor was running against his nominee on the platform of another party.
I had personal knowledge, and indeed a personal relationship with several of the candidates on offer, but after listening to Fashola, I sensed that he had a thorough understanding of the issues confronting Lagos, and was determined to put in his utmost towards the transformation of Lagos. This column subsequently published an endorsement, then titled “A Morning with Fashola”. I remember that several people vigorously and angrily contested that endorsement, and someone asked me why I did not think it was better in the circumstances to stand aside and watch events unfold rather than take a position that could turn out to be ill-advised. Given my background, experience and relationships, several people actually expected an endorsement of other candidates, rather than Fashola, whom I was accused of so tactlessly endorsing. My response then was that, it has never been our style not to take a position regarding fundamental matters, and that was the line this column was also going to take.
But my most memorable personal encounter in that matter was with a lady, a long term friend, who had before my endorsement made up her mind as to whom she was voting for. Like most urban middle class voters, she was going to vote for another candidate of course, different from Fashola. Unfortunately this individual was accustomed to respecting my views on public affairs and my endorsement put her in some confusion. For the first time, she was inclined to disagree with me, and toe an independent line, but in the end, she made me promise to publish an open apology to her and other Lagos voters, if after one year, Fashola ended up disappointing Lagosians. I made the pledge as requested, silently hoping that I had not gotten myself into some serious trouble, as it now a matter of honour-if Fashola turned out bad, I would have had to publish that public apology.
Thankfully after one year, I sincerely believe that the Fashola administration in Lagos might yet turn out to be one which would transform Lagos into the Lagos of our dreams. I attended the recently concluded 4th Lagos Economic Summit and like most participants, I was suitably impressed with the work (and most importantly the thinking) going on in the current Lagos administration. First of all, the attendance at the Summit demonstrated that the business and international community and indeed other stakeholders take the Lagos State Government seriously. Many bank CEOs, senior representatives of the federal government, leaders of industry and commerce, and the organised private sector were very strongly represented. The attendance from the international community-embassies, international organisations particularly the World Bank and other multilaterals and other foreign businessmen and speakers was pleasantly surprising. Frankly the attendance at the summit was not incomparable to that at the typical Nigerian Economic Summits that have held in Abuja for many years.
In terms of the content, the summit was also quite remarkable. I attended a particular session on transportation and listened to presentations by many speakers notably Dr Dayo Mobereola of Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), and was quite impressed with the ideas he expressed for dealing with the challenges of creating a multi-modal transport system in Lagos. The session addressed by a respected former Mayor of Bogota was also quite profound. I also caught part of the discussions on Finance and Housing as well, and it is clear that at the very least there is strong commitment in the administration to launching Lagos into a truly modern mega-city status. The fact that the summit was attended by the leadership of the state civil service hopefully will ensure that the bureaucracy understands the requirements of the envisaged Lagos. Many participants, not least your columnist were happy to see that some planning is going on towards transforming Lagos.
But I did not have to wait for the Summit to know that Governor Fashola and his administration is a serious-minded one. The state cabinet contains several quality people with useful private sector experience such as Jide Sanwoolu, Rotimi Oyekan, Supo Shasore, Ben Akabueze and others whose presence in government suggests an inclination to blend the politicians with some experienced technocrats and infuse governance in Lagos with some professionalism. To the credit of Bola Tinubu, he had shown the way in this regard with a very qualitative cabinet that had the likes of Yemi Cardoso, Wale Edun, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Dr Leke Pitan and such personalities. The governor himself is a very focused and visionary person and he has the values and the orientation required for true leadership.
Most importantly, in terms of activity, Fashola’s government has been incredibly hyper-active-awarding multiple road contracts all over the state, beautifying and greening Lagos, developing a new Atlantic City, rebuilding educational and health infrastructure and investing in training teachers and civil servants. But there is yet a lot more to do. The challenge of infrastructure, education, health, insecurity, power supply and even the environment in Lagos is immense. In the process of financing all its initiatives, the government risks alienating the voters through over-taxation, and the AC is isolated within the political space, putting pressure politically on the government. Nevertheless, Fashola must follow through on all the initiatives and ideas canvassed at the Summit and implement all the items on its very loaded agenda. On the opening day of the summit, I listened to a very articulate vote of thanks by my namesake, Opeyemi Bamidele who asserted that perhaps Tinubu’s greatest legacy to Lagosians would turn out to be his nomination of Fashola as his successor. That is a compliment I completely share.
Agbaje is the Senior Consultant/CEO of Resources and Trust Company (RTC), a strategy, consultancy and business advisory company. RTC POLICY is the policy, government and political consultancy arm of the firm.
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