Anxiety on Fashola Second term

Following the inauguration of Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for a second term he pledged that the second mandate to him was a support for the continuation of the good governance ushered by his first

term.

He promised that the people-oriented programmes and policies of his administration would be continued to move the state to a brighter future.

The promise of inclusive govt
He attributed the success of the last four years to a commitment to law and order, saying under the new dispensation, “we will require an even greater commitment to law and order not only to sustain what we have achieved but also to progress upon it.”

Indeed, the promise of an inclusive government is a major challenge the governor is presently facing. Weeks after his inauguration tongues are wagging over the delay in appointing commissioners and top aides.
Fashola, a former Chief of Staff, was brought to limelight by his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2007. And till date the influence of Tinubu over the affairs of the government and the running of the party in the state is generally acknowledged to be overwhelming. Tinubu is the number one figure that has held_sway in the State House Alausa, Ikeja. He is often seen at the state house in critical periods of national or state importance.

Tinubu, the Jagaban as he is often referred to by party faithful, once declared during the crisis period at his Ikoyi residence that he could not stand aloof and watch Fashola fall before cautioning him, hence, he would not let the governor alone.

That is said to be one of the factors delaying the appointment and announcement of new commissioners and special advisers.

Some political watchers and concerned residents are apprehensive of a potential clash between Fashola and Tinubu soon. It is believed that the incumbent governor, having secured overwhelming votes for second term based on his performance would not want to be pushed around this time around which may likely set him on collision course with Tinubu.

However, one check put in place against him is the State House of Assembly. Most of the 40 legislators are Tinubu’s loyalists, who are ready to rattle the governor or worse, impeach him, if the need should arise.
This might probably explain why the governor stressed the need for cooperation, smooth relationship and understanding among the various arms of government in the state at the recent inauguration of the State House of Assembly.

He said the ACN-dominated House has all it takes to efficiently perform its duties of law making and urged the legislators to steer clear of acts of propaganda that make the electorate to believe that the House members owe them the duty of building roads, hospitals and other infrastructure.
Fashola, therefore, called for more cooperation from the legislators and explained that the fact that he had the constitutional responsibility to proclaim the Assembly and yet had to rely on the approval of the House members to implement certain policies showed the interdependence of both arms of government.

Personalities to watch
In all these, Tinubu remains the main personality to watch in Lagos. His influence on Fashola and ACN cannot be underestimated, so a lot is expected to be determined by Tinubu in the next four years in Lagos.
Another personality to watch out for is the Oba of Lagos, Oba Akiolu I, who in recent times has been a factor to be reckoned with in Lagos politics. He is well respected by leaders and followers of ACN as well as most Lagosians.

The revered Royal Highness was noted for the major roles he played to save the skin of the incumbent governor during his face-off with the House of Assembly in the last term. Akiolu will no doubt play a significant role in the scheme of things in Fashola’s second term in office.

Alhaji Olatunji Hamzat, a one time Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State, is a politician of note. Though in his late 70s, his political weight and influence in Lagos politics cannot be over looked. He is known to be a power broker. It was gathered that Tinubu has a lot of respect for the old man, who he normally carries along in his decision making process.

Mixed expectations
When Vanguard sought for the opinions of some citizenry at the inauguration the House of Assembly, they expressed divergent views. While some charged the executive and legislative arms to face the work of governance squarely.

It is also worthy of note, at the gubernatorial inauguration ceremony at Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS on May 29, 2011, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon Justice Inumidun Akande appealed to both the executive and legislative arms of government in the state to practice true separation of power.

Akande, whose remarks apparently kept many people wondering, came on the background of clashes that erupted between the executive and legislative arms in the last dispensation.

The Chief Judge, after swearing in the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope Adefulire and as he was about administering the oath on Fashola, maintained that separation of powers among the three tiers of government must be respected.

“The state judiciary is conscious of its responsibilities and in this regards, today’s exercise is incontrovertible affirmation of the tenets and spirit of separation of powers, a further proof that each of the three arms of government is constitutionally empowered to function independently and none of the three organs shall be viewed as an appendage of the other. You will agree with me that it is the cordiality, understanding and effective functioning of these independent organs of government that makes for lasting democracy and good governance in any society.”-Vanguard