A coalition of Civil Society Organization has condemned ongoing move by Lagos State House of Assembly to impeach the State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, describing the plot as embarrassing and unfair.
The groups under the aegis of concerned people of Lagos State lamented that the news of the impeachment process has already thrown the State civil service into confusion and in addition does not augur well for the investment climate of Lagos and of Nigeria as a whole.
The leader of the groups, Mr. Olufemi Wise, noted that “the future of our beloved Lagos State is at stake”, and accused the Lagos Assembly of re-enacting the Obasanjo era when governors were “illegally impeached”. He disclosed that the groups had launched a petition against the Assembly with the intention of getting about 10, 000 signatures, stressing that they would reveal the next line of action in the coming days.
The full text of the petition:
Enough Is Enough of the impunity in Lagos
“With news of the moves to impeach Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State, there is no doubt that the future of our beloved Lagos State is at stake. For the first time since 1999, Lagos is entering the second month of a new year without an approved budget. There are several completed projects awaiting commissioning and several more ongoing ones that are being slowed down.
"This petition is by concerned people of Lagos State. The cabals behind the continued harassment and embarrassment of outgoing Governor Ambode need to be opposed, and told enough is enough. This is starting to look like a throwback to the days of President Obasanjo, when unfair and illegal impeachment actions brought Governors down, just because they were not in the good books of their godfathers.
"This is not about taking sides in the politics of Lagos, or about being a fan of the APC, or about Governor Ambode. It is simply about ensuring any semblance of governance of Lagos State is preserved. When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. The good people of Lagos have had enough. Enough of impunity in Lagos State.
"Governor Ambode has been denied a chance of reelection, but he should be left to fulfill the promises he has made to the people of Lagos: infrastructure, healthcare, education, housing, environment, and jobs. Lagos deserves better. That’s all we are asking for, that’s why we are asking concerned and passionate Lagosians to sign this petition.”
