PDP, APC Disagree Over Inclusion Of Tinubu’s Family As Commissioners

Opposition party in Lagos state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lambasted the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, over the inclusion of relatives of the National leader of the party and former governor of the state in list of commissioners and advisers he sent to the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Lola Akande and Deji Tinubu, are relatives of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. While Akande is the sister of Tinubu’s wife, Senator Remi Tinubu, the other nominee, Deji, is the nephew of the APC leader.

Another nominee, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, was Tinubu’s Chief Press Secretary from 2003 to 2007 while Gbolahan Lawal was Tinubu’s Aide-de-Camp when he was governor.

READ ALSO: PDP Berates Ambode Over Commissioner List

Speaking in a press statement, Taofik Gani, the publicity secetary of the PDP in Lagos state urged the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly not to approve the nominees in the interest of the state.

He added that it was unfortunate that out of the millions of competent people in Lagos, Ambode could only pick his godfather’s acolytes.

“We also fault the nominations of Jide Idris, Akintola Benson, Anofi Elegushi, Ganiu Johnson and Folarin Coker because they had either been personal staff and relatives of a former governor of the state. Thus it will continue to be business as usual in the governance of the state as the state resources will continue to be superintendent by the former governor who is the incumbent governor’s godfather.”

“This list is so mediocre, self-serving, embarrassing that it cannot justify the delay and waste of days. Lagosians should not expect any change from Ambode. By this list, his hands are tied. He will only succeed to the extent that his godfather allows this list to serve Lagosians.”

Responding to PDP’s claim, the APC Publicity Secretary in Lagos State, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the PDP was only making needless noise because it did not understand the workings of the state. He, therefore, asked the PDP to shut up.

READ ALSO: Ambode Receives Hollywood Actors

“For the avoidance of doubt, the nominated candidates are cerebral and very competent personalities who can hold their heads high anywhere in the world and answer their fathers’ names if the need arises. They have climbed through the ladder of leadership from various departments in Lagos State to get to where they are today.

“They have been tested and therefore can be trusted to add values to Lagos State. These gentlemen and women are no pushovers in their chosen profession and they are capable of assisting Governor Ambode to take Lagos to the next level,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the screening of the list which comprises 23 commissioners and 13 special advisers will commence this week while cleared cabinet members would likely be sworn in to resume the task of governance by Monday, October 5.

In a related development, the governor has appointed Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo as the new chairman, of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS). Ogunsanwo’s appointment was confirmed by the Lagos state house of assembly on  September 22 on the request of the governor.

Just last week, the PDP said Ambode has been poor in the management of Lagos state and in decision making since taking over the rein of affairs in the state.

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