Politics

Sola Fajobi: I refuse to be used and cowered, I’m voting Sanwo-Olu

Published

1 year ago

March 7, 2023 8:16 am

BodexNG

It is a general saying that “Until you realize how easy it is for your mind to be manipulated, you remain the puppet of someone else’s game”, and nothing can be truer than that quote in the light of Nigeria’s situation at the moment.

The 2023 general election was meant to usher in a new era of renewed hope in a nation that is reputed to be the giant of Africa, but has successfully awaken an evil gnome of manipulation and bigotry in our youths like never before despite our alleged collective exposure.

On March 11, Lagosians will be polling to either re-elect the sitting governor or replace him with another aspirant from one of the other political parties gunning for the Alausa seat at the centre of excellence.

Lagos is a state with the highest number of voters in the South Western Nigeria. It boasts of vibrant and comparatively more educated electorates, representing a wide array of the nation’s ethnic groups. Statistics from the recently concluded presidential election shows that approximately 1/4 of the total number of registered voters were accredited to vote on February 25, 2023.

There was an upset in the usual results trend, where the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, was overtaken with a slight majority votes by the Labour Party that polled a total of 582,454 votes against APC’s 572,606. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the historic second -fiddle horse in Lagos elections was edged to a record low of 75,750 votes.

I may not be interested in the analysis of what went down in the election as there is an urgent task at hand; the requisite re-election of the incumbent governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

For those whose sense of judgement have not been coloured by mischief makers, it is an easy affirmation that Lagos State is working by every standard. Looking around you, there is always a testament to that fact. A litmus test of the fact that Lagos State is working is the reality of a working integrated public services system: Lagos remains the ONLY state in Nigeria (roll in the FG) with a working toll-free emergency line, with chronicles of how it has saved the day in incidences of fire, security, disaster and many more across the state.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a new convex curve in Lagos’ trajectory to regional dominance and global relevance. From the very first day, BOS has shown what he is made of as a member of a set of first-class governors that Lagos has been blessed with since 1999. He swiftly moved in to salvage the lot of Lagosians with respect to the perilous time his administration advent into. From leading the entire nation to successfully manage the COVID-19 pandemic, to rolling out his brilliant T.H.E.E.M.E.S. agenda, Sanwoolu came ready for the job from day one!

Aside from working out the long-standing vision of previous administrations, anchored on the objective of making Lagos a mega city of the 21st century-kind, five months ago, Sanwo-olu’s government launched a 30 year development plan for Nigeria’s commercial capital, which is to be implemented between 2022 and 2052. It is imperative to note that the plan is necessary to achieve the goals of becoming Africa’s model mega city, while also positioning Lagos as a global, economic and financial hub that is safe, secure, functional and productive.

Sanwo-Olu’s personality is cut from character traits uncommon with most Nigerian politicians, and ever since his assumption of office as the governor, he has rolled up his sleeves and got down into the trenches by ensuring that the state continues to move forward positively.

I’m a serial entrepreneur, and having traveled across the nation and outside its shores, I can declare without equivocation that Lagos State, under the APC, provides the best business environment for my business concerns to flourish. You can then understand my situation when I, Adesola Fajobi, say that I refuse to be used to derail such brighter prospects for my business and that of many other hardworking Lagosians like me.

Returning Sanwo-Olu as governor should be the most important task of every single Lagosian in this coking election. I refuse to be brainwashed to go against all the years of great works put into developing Lagos to make it the 5th largest economy in Africa.

The Ehingbeti Lagos Economic Summit has provided a platform for the articulation of Lagos economic and developmental agenda and progress, which Sanwo-Olu continually showcases with incontrovertible developmental strides.

He has commenced the construction of a new airport on the Lekki axis of the state after his government obtained approval from the federal government for the construction of the new airport in Lagos, and also completed the Lagos Blue Line rail project designed to move millions of Lagosians across the state.

Other laudable projects include the completion of the Pen Cinema flyover in Agege, the Opebi-Ojota link bridge, which is nearing completion, the largest rice mill in Africa, the Lekki Deep Sea port, upgrading of four higher institutions to universities and so many more.

Why change a winning and working formula? Why allow a newbie to turn a functioning society into a leadership testing ground?

Sanwo-Olu is sellable, tested and trusted. Why would I allow myself to be used as an agent of destruction to give greedy politicians tickets to return Lagos to ground zero? Mr. Governor always provides robust responses, demonstrating a deep understanding of the economy, governance, the people’s expectations and desires. This is something I wouldn’t want to stop benefiting from.

If his administration would be evaluated only by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no gainsaying that Sanwo-Olu performed excellently. Instead of throwing up his hands in defeat, Mr. Governor became the incident commander, and immediately went to work as he locked down the state, activated all the state apparatus – media, security, public health, emergency management, etc., thereby saving millions of Nigerians lives. He duly earned the country the fourth position in the list of the countries in the world that handled the pandemic well. This is a verifiable fact.

With his years of experience in the private sector, he quickly worked with major players to set up isolation centres, infectious diseases centres, amongst other steps. It goes without saying that if Sanwo-Olu had failed as a leader during this dark period in our life, we may not be here now talking about 2023 election at all. Today under Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos Health Insurance Scheme costs only N40,000 a year for a family to enjoy from primary to tertiary health care.

I refuse to be cowered by a mob that sees nothing good in Lagos, and are hell bent on fostering other candidates with no track records of performance. Governance is not a matter for experimentation

I’m a father, a businessman, an entrepreneur, a brother and so much more like you; living in Lagos and flourishing under the present APC-led government. Come March 11, 2023, I have chosen to cast my vote for Babajide Sanwo-Olu to continue leading and serving Lagos with great achievements.

You should do the same too. Follow person wey know road.

Politics

I was offered money to impeach Fubara, says ex-Rivers speaker, Edison Ehie

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2024 4:22 pm

BodexNG

Edison Ehie, a former factional speaker of the Rivers house of assembly, says he was offered money to impeach Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state.

Ehie, who is currently chief of staff to Fubara, was one of the lawmakers loyal to the governor.

He became speaker in October 2023, a period when legislators loyal to Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), made an attempt to impeach Fubara.

The impeachment proceedings were halted after President Bola Tinubu brokered a peace deal.

The rift between Fubara and Wike has polarised the Rivers assembly.

Speaking at an event in the Ahoada east area of Rivers, Ehie said he rejected the money he was offered to oust Fubara.

“They invited me, your son, to impeach the governor and I told them clearly, I was not interested,” Daily Trust quoted him as saying.

“They gave me all the money that was hidden before, which I rejected. And because I refused, they conspired and declared me wanted.”

On Friday, Fubara gazetted an executive order moving the sitting of the state house of assembly to the government house.

Last week, a court restrained Martin Amaewhule and 25 members of the assembly from parading themselves as speaker and legislators respectively.

Politics

Fubara gazettes executive order moving Rivers assembly sitting to government house

Published

4 days ago

May 11, 2024 7:05 am

BodexNG

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, has gazetted an executive order moving the sitting of the state house assembly to the government house.

The executive order 001 is dated October 30, 2023.

The governor said the sitting of the state parliament will henceforth take place at the government house until the assembly complex, which was affected by fire in October, is renovated.

“That on the 29th day of October 2023, a fire incident occasioned by unknown persons burned and damaged the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly,” the gazette reads.

“That the Hallowed Chamber of the Rivers State House of Assembly in its present state is unsafe and constitutes a threat to the lives of the staff and the Honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and thus not conducive for the business and proceeding of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“That it is expedient to carry out urgent repairs, renovation, and reconstruction of the burnt and damaged chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“That it is further reasonable to ensure that the business and proceedings of the Rivers State House of Assembly are not impeded and frustrated.

“Now therefore, I, sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State this 30th day of October 2023, pursuant to the powers vested in me under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) hereby issue, order, and direct that all proceedings and business of Rivers State House of Assembly shall temporarily take place at the Auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt until the repairs, renovation or reconstruction of the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly are completed.”

The gazetting of the order comes in the wake of a renewed political crisis in the oil-rich state.

THE CRISIS

The Rivers house of assembly has been polarised since 2023 following the rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

In December, 27 members of the assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Rivers assembly has 32 seats. One lawmaker, Dinebari Loolo, died in September 2023.

In October 2023, Ehie Edison was elected speaker of the factional assembly, after his removal as house leader by members led by Martin Amaewhule — amid the plot to impeach Fubara.

Edison later resigned as a lawmaker to become chief of staff to the governor.

The lawmakers in the Awaewhule-led faction are loyal to Wike.

The political crisis took a new twist on Wednesday after Victor Jumbo, a lawmaker representing the Bonny state constituency, was elected factional.

On Friday, a state high court in Port Harcourt granted an interim injunction restraining Amaewhule from acting as a speaker of the Rivers assembly.

Charles Wali, the presiding judge, also restrained 25 other assembly members from parading themselves as legislators.

The motion ex parte was filed by Jumbo and two assembly members — Sokari Goodboy and Orubienimigha Timothy — loyal to Fubara.

There are rumours that Fubara is plotting to demolish the state assembly quarters in Port Harcourt.

Amid the speculations, some armed police officers on Friday barricaded the two entrances to assembly quarters.

Politics

Rivers assembly clerk disowns factional speaker, says no change in house leadership

Published

5 days ago

May 10, 2024 10:31 am

BodexNG

Emeka Amadi, clerk of the Rivers state house of assembly, says there has been no change in the leadership of the legislature.

In a statement issued on May 8, Amadi said Martin Amaewhule remains the recognised speaker of the assembly.

On Wednesday, Victor Jumbo, lawmaker representing Bonny constituency, was elected speaker by lawmakers loyal to Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state.

The Rivers house of assembly has been polarised since 2023, following the rift between Fubara and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

In December, 27 lawmakers of the assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Rivers assembly has 32 seats. One of the lawmakers, Dinebari Loolo, died in September 2023.

In October 2023, Ehie Edison was elected speaker of the factional assembly, after his removal as house leader by members led by Amaewhule — amid the plot to impeach Fubara.

Edison later resigned as lawmaker to become chief of staff to the governor.

The lawmakers in the Awaewhule-led faction are loyal to Wike.

On Monday, Fubara said members of the house of assembly owe their existence to him.

The Rivers governor said members of the Awaewhule-led faction do not “exist,” adding that he decided to “give them a floating” through a peace deal initiated by President Bola Tinubu.

FUBARA VISITS ASSEMBLY

On Thursday Amaewhule alleged that Fubara is planning to demolish the assembly complex, after the governor visited the legislature.

Speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Amaewhule said the complex does not require renovation.

But the Rivers governor said he visited the complex to see if there would be some renovation after the election of a new speaker.

CLERK DISOWNS NEW SPEAKER

In his statement, Amadi said there was no change in the leadership structure of the house as Amaewhule, Dumle Maol, and Major Jack remain speaker, deputy speaker, and majority leader respectively.

“The attention of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been drawn to reports in the electronic and print media that there was a leadership change in the Rivers State House of Assembly today, the 8th day of May 2024,” the statement reads.

“As the Clerk of the Rivers State House and one who administered the Oath of membership and office to all members and a custodian of all records of the House, I write to state the following.

“That there was no change in the leadership of the House today and Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule DSSRS remains the Speaker of the House while Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol DSSRS and Hon. Major Jack DSSRS remains Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader respectively.

“That apart from the seat of Khana Constituency Il which was declared vacant because of death of the member who represented the constituency, no other seat has been declared vacant.

“That there is a subsisting judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction in Suit no FHC/ABI/CS/1613/2023 in which the Court among other orders “granted an ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Governor of Rivers State (11th Defendant) whether by himself or by his agents and or hirelings or in any manner howsoever from impeding or frustrating the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the 2nd Plaintiff as the Speaker of the said House in the performance of their functions including holding of meetings and the transacting of the business of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“That Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari and Hon. Adolphus Orubimie Timothy were suspended on the 30th of October 2023 pursuant to the Rules of the House and their suspension is yet to be lifted and they cannot lay claim to be officers of the House.

“That the House is still conducting legislative business in line with the Standing Orders of the House and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered.

“That the good people of Rivers State and the Nigerian Federation should discountenance any media report purporting any recent change in leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”

Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others