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Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) (Image source: Vanguard)
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Barely three months after
exiting government, former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola,
has, recently, come under severe attacks from some groups, notably BudgIT,
Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) and the Socio-Economic Rights
Accountability Project. BudgIT accused Fashola of wrongdoing while in office. It
was alleged that he spent N78 million on website upgrade contracted to a
private company, a sum seen as outrageous.
The
group, in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
alleged “questionable expenditures” by the administration of Fashola.
In the petition, dated August 10 and addressed to the EFCC Chairman, the group
called for the probe of the controversial N78 million public money spent on his
personal website.
The
contract for the website was awarded to Info Access Plus Limited through the
Office of the Chief of Staff to the former governor.
Vanguard
report continues:
The
company, however, denied receiving the amount, insisting that it was paid N10
million only. Other allegations levelled against the Fashola administration by
the group included the N1.2 billion spent on the construction of pedestrian
bridges along Eti-Osa – Lekki – Epe expressway “which did not specify the
number of bridges”; N17 million awarded for the provision of wall signage in
three magistrate courts; N3.46 billion spent on the construction of a beach
resort in Ilase; and N61 million disbursed for a Range Rover SUV and two Toyota
Hilux trucks as the official vehicles of Lagos Chief Judge. There was also the
claim of extra-marital affair against Fashola, said to have produced a child.
CACOL,
led by Debo Adeniran, also went to town,saying its investigation showed that
the 1.36 kilometre Lekki-Ikoyi link bridge cost N6 billion, and not the N25
billion quoted by Fashola’s administration.
Adeniran,
who claimed he was not being sponsored by any individual, explained that
several petitions, written to the EFCC to probe the various projects in the
state in the face of the more than N500 billion debt left by Fashola’s
government, were ignored.
The
Socio-Economic Rights Accountability Project alleged that the state refused to
disclose details of the US$200 million World Bank education fund during
Fashola’s tenure.
However,
Fashola, in a response, titled, ‘Setting the Records Straight: When you wrestle
with a pig, the pig gets happy and you get dirty’, dismissed the allegations.
He linked
the
attacks to the insinuation that he may be appointed a Minister or Secretary to
Federal Government by President Muhammadu Buhari, when he stated in his
response: “I expect that there may be more distorted allegations without
evidence, for reasons that remain in the realm of speculation, but I have been
informed reliably that large amounts of money are being paid to some of these
agents to bear false witness.
“I
cannot conclude without responding to the crusade of CACOL seeking my
prosecution on allegations that have no proof and writing letters to the
Presidency.
“In
case they are unaware, I am not looking for a job, and allegations are not
resolved without evidence, neither are they resolved in press conferences.
“I
have served my state and, by extension, my country for twelve and a half years
and I did so with my heart.
“I
am taking the rest that I believe I have earned and wish those who have the
responsibility to now serve us the very best in their endeavours.
“For
those who wish to throw mud at me, they should look at their own hands. For
those who still wish to remain in the mud, they should look in the mirror. As
for me, I have moved on; my job is done.”
Fashola’s many sins
Political
commentators linked the attacks on Fashola to the alleged frosty relationship
with his mentor, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, the National Leader of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Lagos State.
The
frosty relationship theory became pronounced last Tuesday when Fashola’s former
Special Adviser on Media, Hakeem Bello, launched three books on his boss’
administration. Majority of those expected at the event were apparently absent.
Though Tinubu did not attend physically, he sent a representative, Prof Samuel.
Also, former and present National APC Chairmen, Chiefs Bisi Akande and John
Odigie-Oyegun; Governors Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Rauf
Aregbesola (Osun); Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, among other dignitaries,
stayed away from the launch meant to celebrate Fashola and, by extension, APC.
Fashola’s
problem with Tinubu was said to have started when he did not support the
candidacy of Ambode as Lagos APC governorship candidate ahead of the 2015
polls, and even went further to counter the Ambode project by encouraging his
former Commissioner for Justice, Olasupo Sasore, to contest with Ambode
at the primaries. Fashola was accused of spending a huge sum of money to sell
Sasore to the public.
Fashola
also allegedly met with the 57 local government chairmen in the state, promised
to extend their tenure and even approve third term for those interested if they
supported his candidate at the primaries. Of course, Ambode, against all odds,
defeated the former governor’s candidate (Sasore) among others. That
singular action was seen by the camp loyal to Tinubu as “treacherous” and
waited for his exit from government to strike back.
Although,
it is believed that no administration or individual can be perfect, the former
governor was accused of introducing duplication of efforts in government
business during his tenure. Many believe that the website project was
unnecessary as the state government was already maintaining a department under
the Ministry of Science and Technology that could have operated the website
efficiently and at minimal cost. But Fashola chose to spend huge public
money. A government source also accused him of manipulating the Quality
Assurance Department to have his wayon procurement approvals.
Also,
he was alleged to have jettisoned Lagos Television for a private owned TV
station, where huge sums of public funds were allegedly spent on projects.
In
the meantime, he was said to be economical with funds for party leaders. It was
said that he did not spend on the Action Congress (AC), as the ruling party in
the state then, neither did he spent on the ACN ventures and, when he did, it
was with reluctance.
This
was in contrast to Asiwaju’s principle. The generosity of Tinubu was said to
have given him the political weight as well as earned him unalloyed support
from the majority of the people within and outside the party in Lagos, which
Fashola lacked during his tenure.
When
contacted, an APC chieftain, who preferred anonymity, ruled out the involvement
of Asiwaju or the APC on the attacks against Fashola, saying, “The groups are
entitled to their opinions; and Fashola is capable of defending himself and his
administration. It’s unfortunate that when anything happens, we are always
looking for someone to blame. Focus should now be on Budg IT, the NGO that
first blew the whistle on who hired it.”
Many
APC members believe it is time for the leadership of the APC and, particularly,
Oba Akiolu to intervene before the matter gets messier. Already, the issues
have started causing cracks within the ruling party in Lagos. “There is already
division in the party, those in Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, comprising of
elders of the party, have started holding parallel meetings,” the source
confided in Sunday Vanguard.
Last
week, there was an emergency closed door meeting by APC leaders at the party’s
secretariat to review some issues as well as the alleged involvement of Asiwaju
in Fashola’s travails.
A
source said: “Those who are fanning the embers of discord in the party,
political jobbers, should stay away. It is like trying to fall an Iroko tree;
when it comes down, it goes with smaller trees. This is what destroyed PDP.
Fashola, Amaechi were instrumental to PMB’s victory. Hence Fashola should not
be persecuted on the altar of personal interest”.
On
the insinuation that the attacks are targeted at tarnishing Fashola’s
credibility so that he does not make the ministerial list, some APC
leaders are said to be uncomfortable with the rising profile of Fashola with
Buhari.
“Fashola
remains the best governor in Nigeria and haters can do nothing to change that.
All they are trying to pre-empt is the inevitable rise in his political profile
which is considered as a threat to some people’s presidential ambition.
Nigerians know who serve them”, a political analyst, Mr. Afolabi Adeoye, said.
“Truth
is like the afternoon. You cannot cover it. If many states worked as hard as
Fashola did for Lagos, Nigeria would be counted as one of the advanced
countries today. But the worst enemies of anyone are those within. Those afraid
that Fashola will be appointed minister are doing all they can to stop him. But
you cannot stop a moving train. Ministerial appointment is not the only
position in Nigeria. I agree 100 percent. He did a great job worthy of
emulation by others.”
The
fresh wave of change which swept some Permanent Secretaries out of service in
Lagos is also linked to alleged “unprofessional conduct”, incompetence and
misappropriation of funds allegedly committed during the Fashola
administration.
The
restructuring, referred to as “Tsunami”, is still claiming victims.
The
retired PS are as follows:
Eng
Bamgbose Martins Paul,- Works &
Infrastructure
Mr.
Ajanaku, Adekunle Mudashiru LTV
Arch.
Adedeji, Taiwo Adetunde Waterfront &
Infrastructure
Dr.
Desalu Aderemi
Special Duties
Mr.
Pedro Lawal Alade Mohammed Justice
Mr.
Fadipe, Ashamu Sewanu Local Govt
Service Commission
Mr.
Abari Dada Lateef
Local Govt and Chieftaincy
Mrs.
Obasa Regina Iyabode Energy
& Mineral Resources
Mr.
Sodade Adebayo Olukayode Economic Planning &
Budget
Dr.
Oshiyimika John Adesegun Youth & Social
Development
Eng.
Ogunbambi Adeniyi Hakeem Environment
Surv.
Agbenla, Olorunjuwonm Joseph Surveyor General
Eng.
Adenekan Ayodeji Adebayo Drainage Services
TPL
Adediran Joseph Ayodele MVAA
Mr
Onabolu Folake Folashade Parastatal
Monitoring Office
But
the Chief Press Secretary to Ambode, Mr. Habib Aruna, when contacted, explained
that the restructuring is in line with the governor’s drive to re-position the
civil service for efficient performance and service delivery and not for any
personal interest or motive.
“He (governor) needs people
of like-minds to consummate his agenda and vision,” Aruna stated.
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