Tinubu saves Ambode from impeachment threat

National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bola
Tinubu on Sunday said the threat by the Lagos House of Assembly to
impeach Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos has been put to rest.

Tinubu flanked by Ambode, Obasa and others

Tinubu stated this after a peace meeting brokered by the APC leadership in the state held at Lagos House, Marina.

Tinubu said it was gratifying to note that the conflict between the
Governor and the members of the State Assembly has been amicably
settled.

Tinubu, who spoke on behalf of all the APC leaders in the state, said
the executive and the legislative arms of government in the state had
resolved to work together.

“We held a meeting on behalf of Lagos, the entire Lagosians, our
party – APC leadership. In the last one week, there has been noise about
the conflict between the executive and the State Assembly.

“It is of great concern to all of us and particularly what Lagos represents across the country.

“We have been able to look into the source of various conflicts which
is not uncommon in politics; what is the genesis of those problems? We
are one big family and as a big family, you will have some rumbles.

“You will have some disagreement. As leaders of the party, we have
looked into that; we have looked into areas where we have to compromise,
discuss and build the institutions, encourage the institutions to
really do what is right.

“We have resolved there is no question of impeachment in Lagos State.
Let the two arms of government communicate and continue to respect one
another and build consensus and understanding.

“That is all about politics. Conflict and conflict resolution
mechanism is inbuilt in any political system unless leaders are lacking
in their responsibilities,” Tinubu said.

He thanked the Governor, his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule and the
leadership of the House for agreeing to the peaceful resolution of the
conflict.

He said that it was evident that consequences of allowing such
conflict to fester would have been dire not just for the state, but the
entire country.

“We thank the Speaker and the entire members of the House of Assembly
leadership. We thank the Governor and the Deputy Governor who had
demonstrated firm respect for the party leadership in Lagos State.

“You know when Lagos sneezes, the rest of the political equation
catches cold and we are very happy that we are able to resolve amicably.

“The Deputy Speaker is also here and all of them put together, we are
assured that things will start to run smoothly in Lagos,” he said.

A party chieftain, Prince Tajudeen Olusi was also quoted to have
corroborated Tinubu’s position, and expressed optimism that the House
would soon meet to resolve other grey areas.

“The National Leader (Tinubu) has spoken and mine is just to confirm the decision.

“Conflict resolution is an essential ingredient of management. We
have looked into the problem and the party has directed the two arms of
government – the executive and the legislature to work together and very
soon, the House will meet and resolve all grey areas,” Olusi said.

According to the statement, the meeting was attended by both the
executive and legislative arms represented by Ambode and his deputy; and
the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa;

The Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshinlokun; Majority Leader, Sinai
Agunbiade; Chief Whip, Rotimi Abiru, were also among other principal
officers of the Assembly.

Others in attendance were all the members of the Governors’ Advisory
Council (GAC), the highest decision making organ of the party in the
state; Governorship candidate of the party in the state, Mr Babajide
Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr Femi Hamzat, among others.