The rumpus within the Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, has no doubt continued to grow as opinions pile up on the usefulness or otherwise of the Governance Advisory Committee, GAC, a body created by President Bola Tinubu as an apex decision-making body in Lagos politics.
Recent developments have put the body, composed of old and new schools, under intense pressure and criticism regarding its essence and continued existence, given the sharp polarization and balkanization within its rank and file.
Critics and political analysts have posited that the GAC has outlived its usefulness and has become a burden on Tinubu and the Lagos State Government, hence, calls from certain quarters for its abolition.
Camps
The committee is divided into camps of political cleavages of Justice Forum, JF, and The Mandate Movement, TMM.
The Acting Chairman of GAC, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, is of JF extraction. Others in his camp are: Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Otunba Bushura Alebiosu, Chief Sosanya, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Otunba Henry Ajomale, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Alhaji Mutiu Are (the Secretary of the body) Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Princess Joke Orelope-Adefulire, Princess Sarah Sosan and Pastor, Cornelius Ojelabi (APC State Chairman).
In the other camp, the TMM, led by Cardinal James Odunmbaku, are Senators Anthony Adefuye, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Ganiyu Solomon, Idiat Adebule, Chief Yomi Finnih, Muraina Taiwo, Shakiru Seriki (who is said to have been hobnobbing with the JF in recent days) and Mudashiru Obasa.
Other members of the body who are neither here nor there are Babatunde Fashola, former Lagos State Governor, Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Otunba Femi Pedro.
Segregation on the basis of State of Origin is also an issue within the GAC fold, as the Lagos indigenes in the body usually have separate nocturnal meetings, ostracizing the likes of Cardinal Odunmbaku, Otunba Alebiosu, Senator Adefuye, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Taiwo, Obasa, Are, Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Except for Are, who is from Ibadan, Oyo State, all the others aforementioned are from Ogun State.
Ogun dominance
Part of the agitations of the Lagos Indigenes group within the GAC fold has been that the three topmost positions in the government of Lagos State (Governor, Deputy Governor and Speaker) were occupied by Ogun state indigenes before the ‘coup’ which produced Mojisola Lasbat Merandah as Speaker.
They blame Tinubu for deliberately empowering non-indigenes.
A convener of Good Governance for Lagos Group, who preferred anonymity, stressed that unknown to Tinubu, the incumbent state executive arm was keen on ousting Obasa but unaware of the bigger Lagos plan, which strives to decimate his powers decisively. Tinubu has been described as a non-indigene from Iragbiji in Osun State.
There is also propaganda making the rounds that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s strong interest in Obasa stems from her Ogun State affiliation, as she is also branded to be partly from Ijebu-Ode. She is also accused of nominating another Ogun State Indigene, Jide Sanwo-Olu, to replace Ambode as Governor.
The Lagos Group in the GAC has vowed to curtail all these, and they have the blessings of some traditional rulers to forge on.
Ironically, most of the perpetrators of this agenda are people Tinubu nurtured, empowered and built over the years.
GAC members’ children
The integrity of some GAC members has also been put into question in recent times because they have not only been foisting their children on party members for political positions but also enjoying patronages from aspirants and serving political office holders.
Three GAC leaders from Ikorodu, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Oshodi-Isolo have their children as members of the House of Assembly. The acting Chairman of the body has his son as Council Chairman in Lagos Island, and another member is currently pushing for his son to be council chairman in Ajeromi-Ifelodun in spite of having one at the Lagos House of Assembly presently.
They are also exploiting the state’s resources as they receive brand new Sport Utility Vehicles, SUVs, at each tenure from the government while also enjoying largesse from contract patronage. It is also said that some of them get executive and legislative arms of government sponsorship for their overseas travels, pilgrimages, birthdays, and health tourism, among other benefits, depending on how good they are in the government’s book.
Pressure on the President to abolish the GAC is mounting, and in the weeks ahead, many developments are expected in the political configuration of Lagos State.
Recently, Tinubu had to back down on the lingering crisis rocking the speakership of the Lagos State House of Assembly following pressure from various influential personalities and concerned citizens. Apparently irked by the development, the GAC leadership failed to meet with Mr. President in Abuja, unlike before when they got express access to the numero uno, which is a big blow to the credibility of the GAC leaders.
Also, a school of thought has said the Lagos State House of Assembly crisis has divided GAC and could eventually lead to its extinction.
Party chieftains write Tinubu
An APC chieftain in Lagos, Fouad Oki, has expressed the need for decorum in the lingering crisis in the State House of Assembly.
Fouad, in a statement dated February 4, addressed to APC, and leader of GAC, Prince Olusi, was titled: “Lagos speakership: It’s time to stop all shenanigans surrounding the change in leadership saga,” called immediate truce into the crisis.”
He states, “It is instructive to note that public opinion and community support play crucial roles in shaping political decisions and the overall functioning of democratic governance.
“Therefore, we must listen to their feeling and favourability of the preference made by these legislators as to who should be primus inter pares among them.
“Lagos is a cosmopolitan area with a strong tradition of grassroots activism; I earnestly wish that our party will be more inclined to engage with community members and incorporate their feedback into how we handle this keg of gunpowder.
“The media has spoken on the popular wish of Lagosians, which plays a pivotal role in shaping public opinion by framing issues, highlighting certain perspectives, and providing a platform for community voices.
“As politicians, we must respond to media coverage and public discourse, adjusting our positions or strategies based on how the public perceives issues. We must take due cognizance of this and act appropriately.
“By actively listening to our constituents and responding to their needs, it enhances our appeal, strengthens our electoral prospects, and fulfills our role as representatives of the public interest.
“I urge you to consider the implications of prolonging this discord. Let us not allow our internal disagreements to overshadow the greater goal of serving the people of Lagos and Nigeria as a whole.
“The path forward may be challenging, but we can navigate these waters together with grace and integrity.”
Also, a party faithful leader and a concerned citizen, Dr Segun Awosanya, in a letter dated February 5 to Mr. President, reads, “Your legacy as a nation-builder is evident in the champions you have nurtured and the robust systems you have established. Under your guidance, many have risen to leadership positions, proving themselves as battle-tested public servants.
“However, even the most established systems face challenges when individual character (blind ambition) threatens collective harmony. Self-discipline and respect for Decency and those values dear to our people, including leaders and elders, among whom you are numbered, must remain sacrosanct.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly has long been celebrated for its autonomy and efficient self-governance. Recent events, however, have led to speculation that threatens to undermine this hard-earned reputation and the carefully cultivated relationships between the GAC, grassroots leaders, and other vital stakeholders.
“The unanimous decision regarding the former Speaker reflects a watershed moment — not an act of defiance, but rather a necessary response to a deteriorating situation.
“The emergence of new leadership represents an opportunity for renewal and restoration of democratic principles within the Assembly. The current consensus, achieved through considerable deliberation, should be respected. Given Lagos’s delicate political climate following recent elections, maintaining this unity is paramount.
“Your Excellency, your political progeny remain steadfast in their loyalty and respect for your guidance. However, this particular situation calls for allowing the new leadership to stabilize the House while ensuring future compliance with party directives.
“The resolution reached serves as a corrective measure and a future deterrent against power abuse. Preserving this outcome would reinforce the principles of democratic governance you have long championed.” (Vanguard)
