EXCLUSIVE: Untold Story of Ambode’s Battles With Abuja Boys Over 2019

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State might have been receiving endorsements from different quarters in the state over his performances over the years, but the whole things might not be a smooth sail for the Governor afterall.

Information at our disposal revealed that the Governor, who several residents of the state believe has achieved much to deserve a second term of office, has some forces to battle within the party.

We were informed that the likes of the National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) are still hell bent on the constitution of the party that primaries must be conducted for all elections.

Investigations revealed that Banire is mobilizing forces, just as he did in the past, to ensure that the party organizes primaries for all elective offices, including that of the Governor, prior to the 2019 general elections.

Unconfirmed reports have it that he has taken the battle to the national leaders of the party, who we gathered have given him assurances that things would be done according to the dictates of the constitution of the party  and he is said to be nursing governorship ambition in 2019.

This apart, Governor Ambode is said to be battling with a force right within his government that was said to have once resigned his appointment in protest against the leadership style of the Governor.

Those who know the story told us that the highly placed government appointee went back to the government having been prevailed upon by a National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Sources said that the official, who served as a commissioner under former governor Babatunde Fashola, felt sidelined in the scheme of things, and that a recent contract awarded by the Governor led to a serious crisis between him and the Governor

Our sources maintained that Ambode is having sleepless nights over this as some of the forces that are against him have the ears of the leaders of the party in Abuja.

We were informed that the ‘Abuja boys’ including former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of the state, are planning to field candidates against Ambode in the primaries leading to the election.

They added that the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler once toyed with the idea of contesting for the governorship of the state in 2019.

According to them, Fowler claimed to have been screened by a former chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in 2014 before  the party leaders eventually settled for Ambode as their candidate for the election.

We were however informed that Fowler was told to wait till 2023 after Ambode must have served out his second term as Governor.

We were informed further that Abuja boys were behind the embarrassment caused by refuse that littered the state before now as they were said to have contracted people to use it to embarrass the state government.

Our sources revealed that the forces were against VisionScape that was contracted by Governor Ambode to clean the state instead of the Private Sector Partnership (PSP) of the previous government.

One other issue that the Abuja boys allegedly capitalized upon to embarrass Governor Ambode is the protest against the reviewed Land Use Charge Law of the state.

It will be recalled that the protest was championed by Ikeja, Lagos State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) under the leadership of Mr. Adeshina Ogunlana said to be close to Dr. Muiz Banire.

The issue is just dying down after several protest by the association and other groups said to be loyal to the much touted ‘Abuja boys.’

However, those close to Governor Ambode believe that he has been operating like a democrat.

They told us anonymously that only a sadist would be against the ‘people-oriented programmes of the hardworking Governor.’

According to them, ‘Those that are against Ambode should sheath their swords. Ambode has done what some people could not do in eight years in less than three years. He should be celebrated rather than condemned,’ adding that anyone that is against Ambode’s performances is doing so because ‘it is no longer job for the boys.’

They stated that the Governor believes in output regardless of how it is done or who does it, and that his enemies ‘are only chasing shadows. The people of Lagos are already warming up for Ambode’s second term.’