In what may appeared as a dramatic volte face, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola has said that the Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has always been his choice of candidate all through the build up to the APC governorship primaries held over a month ago.
Fashola stated this during a media parley organised by the APC to formally present Ambode and his running mate, Dr. (Mrs) Oluranti Adebule, to media executives in Lagos.
The governor, who said he was happy Ambode emerged as the party’s candidate, said the party was actually “spoilt for choice” by having a pool of competent aspirants to elect from.
“It was a healthy problem; that we had many competent and accomplished aspirants to choose from. It clearly demonstrates the rich human capital we have in Lagos, in Lagos APC”
He added, “Our party had a democratic and transparent gubernatorial primaries, and I am proud and happy with the results it has produced. This is because Akin has been my choice from the beginning, and I say this unequivocally”
Governor Fashola described Ambode as “someone who has the ability to rigorously ensure that things tally, his accountability is just unmatched. He has the befitting skill-set needed to build upon the successes we have recorded so far, and that is why I am happy at his candidature”.
Fashola, who reflected on his almost 8 years rule, declared that the state has consistently undergone enviable and noteworthy transformation. He said he believes Ambode had the experience to sustain and even improve on such transformation.
“I have worked with Akin and I can attest to his vast experience. He knows the government and understands governance, and his application of this capacity-enhancing know-how will surely ensure that there is continuity in the tradition of excellence we are now known for in Lagos”.
Responding, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who was full of appreciation to the governor and the Party for making the parley happen, stated that public service was a form of nobility for him.
“All my life, I have practiced selfless service to humanity in varying capacities. This has enabled me to take public service as a noble one”.
On his gubernatorial intention, Ambode said that despite being an accountant, his love for public service and natural knack for leadership led him to secure a Fullbright Scholarship for Public Leadership in Boston University, Massachusetts. He said such leadership know-how and a diligent skill-set gave productivity to his public service career, reiterating that the time seems right to take it to the next level.
In his words, “the success and productivity that characterized my public service career makes me believe strongly that I was conscripted to excel in service to the people, and this is the reason why I desire to serve Lagos as the Governor of the state”.
According to Ambode, the unique opportunity he had to work with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Fashola have equipped him with rich administrative bandwidth that places him in good stead to keep up with the tradition of excellence that the state and the party is known for.
Ambode, while answering questions, said he sees a Lagos that is cleaner, safe, secure and more prosperous. A state that is driven by qualitative service, equity and justice.
The APC candidate promised “strong leadership, selfless service, accountability and an excellent governance”, adding that “we have proved that governance can work, and I promise you that it will keep working”.
Ambode noted that the party’s ideology is an ideology of progressives, and which is responsive and people-oriented.
“This ideology covers the two fundamental responsibilities of any serious government; that is, the protection of its citizens and their welfare. I humbly assure you that these are the two areas my government will also successfully address”
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