Open Letter to Governor Ambode | @AkinwunmiAmbode @Omojuwa @lindaikeji

Dear Mr. Governor,

I trust you are fine and everything is great with you. I am not about to stress you so much with a lengthy letter though I have a lot to write, however I will go straight to the point. First of all I am a Nigerian and resident in Lagos; I supported and voted for you (even though I was partially indifferent as to whether you or Jimi Agbaje should win). I voted for you based on the fact that you were the candidate of the APC party and I assumed that you would continue and strengthen the good work of a great man Babatunde Fashola. I am however surprised with what is going on and that is the reason I am writing this letter to you.

Mr. Governor, you would agree with me that Lagos is one of (if not) the most difficult state to manage and govern in Nigeria. Good! I know you would agree but I suppose you knew this before campaigning.  Yes, you knew and do not tell me someone pushed you into it because it is not impossible for you to say that the legendary leader Tinubu pushed you. You had a lot of time to think over it and decide what you wanted. So I doubt you would say that you are an accidental leader.

Yes sir, it’s about 6 months now since you became governor of Lagos state and a lot has happened most of which are things we are not used to and these things are getting out of hand. Mr. Governor, can you imagine yourself not having water supply in your house for almost 4 weeks and no trace of water coming at all? Of course maybe when you were a kid but right now that is what most Lagosians are facing- No water! I am sorry sir but I would be doing a lot of comparison between yourself and former governor Babatunde Fashola. I heard you guys are not on good terms, I think that is a very bad idea. Anyways, when Fashola was governor we hardly had shortage in water supply, if at all we did; it was not for more than a day. So sir, what is happening in your time? This is a very serious concern. Also the traffic! This is one identity of Lagos, every one outside Lagos knows about this traffic of a thing. Some people are not in Lagos just because of this traffic. Yes, I know we are over populated and we have so many rich people on the road who must drive their cars but really, it was not this much during Fashola’s time. I would like to ask again Sir- “What is happening in your time?” Yes I remember the robbery cases during traffic. I asked myself- where were these guys before now? Please do not tell me they just gave birth to them or they hate you as governor. I am sure some of them voted for you; so what is happening in your time Mr. Governor? You said you were going to buy three more helicopters, really don't know how that can help traffic and security, well maybe for fast response to rescue victims though but we need all these to stop and be sustainable. Let me stop at those few obvious examples so you won’t attack me like you did to the economist magazine claiming that they were judging you so soon and all.

Mr. Governor, thanks for the new BRTs you launched last week at Ikorodu, we appreciate you for that. Although it was Fashola’s work but you saw it necessary to launch, this is a plus for you. I also heard you have been making the civil servants smile due to the early payment of salaries, thumbs up to you on that, please keep it up and don’t let them down. If it is true that you saved N12billion in 4 months, wow!! I am impressed; however what is going to be done with the saved sum?

In conclusion sir before you go attend to some dutiful duties, I would like to beseech you by the mercies of God like Paul would say that you should sit down with Mr. Fashola though he might not have your time, you know he is a 3 in 1 man just because of how he governed Lagos state. It’s important you humble yourself and learn massively from him. It is not brilliancy and certification that is used to govern a state like Lagos, you need vast ideas and a focused mind to take charge- take charge of all agencies, institutions etc, be firm in your decisions and make your people follow it to details. You are lucky the tribunal didn’t fault your election, I trust my Lagos people with all what they have experienced in this short time of your governance, if there was a rerun they would have elected Jimi Agbaje, so don’t take this opportunity for granted. I know it can be difficult but sir, someone was there before you. Go learn from him! I am personally giving you till February 2016 to see improvement in your governance before I admit that you are just a one chance governor and I wasted my energy, time, and data to download the “A m boo o” campaign song on my phone. Please never let me down.

Thanks so much for your time out to read this letter. I really appreciate it. Until February 2016.

Concerned Citizen,

Signed.