Presidency to settle Tinubu, Ogunlewe rift
From Madu Onuorah (Abuja), Babatunde Bodunrin and Abiodun Fanoro (Lagos)
INDICATIONS emerged yesterday that the lingering rift between Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, over the management of roads in the state may soon end.
In Abuja yesterday, Vice President Atiku Abubakar told a delegation of Igbo chiefs resident in Lagos that the Presidency was ready to mediate in the crisis to ensure that the situation, which was gradually deteriorating, did not get out of hand.
He, however, did not give details of the shape or form that the presidential intervention would take.
Earlier, President General of the association, Chief Uche Momah, had called on the Federal Government to find an immediate solution to the crisis.
Making case for Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Momah said that the authority had recorded great successes in the area of traffic control, discipline and enforcement of traffic rules.
Government, Atiku also said, has approved the release of N500 million for the designated ecological projects contained in the 2004 appropriation act.
According to him: "I want to also assure you that we will look into the issue of erosion and flood control in some parts of the country where you have requested us to look, particularly in Lagos and in the eastern states. For your information, the President has already set up a council under my chairmanship to bring about Federal Government intervention on the issue of coastal erosion and also erosion in the hinterland as well as afforestation. That is as people cut down timbers without replenishing or replacing them, government would plant so as not to lose the forests."
The Vice President also spoke on the problems generated by the dichotomy between indigenes and settlers, especially in the North, saying government was seriously concerned because "it is not in the constitution."
Said he: "That brings me to the raging debate on the issue of settlers versus indigenes. The words are not in our laws and are not in our constitution. And the people who raise the issue of settlers and indigenes should better watch out because this government is not prepared to promote that dichotomy and we will employ all constitutional means to make sure every Nigerian feels secure at any place he decides to reside. That is what makes a country great and developed. Therefore, I like to commend you for showing that example by living peacefully in Lagos and contributing meaningfully to the economic development of Nigeria in general."
He commended the Lagos State government for considering the cosmopolitan nature of the city by appointing non-indigenes into positions of authority, citing the appointment of a Kogi State indigene as chairman of Ojodu Council.
Atiku also commended the Igbo for their support for the government and the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP), noting that they have given meaning to the saying that "a friend in need, is a friend indeed."
"The Igbo must be commended for at least two things: One, the forging of unity and two, for their economic contribution; because there is nowhere you go in this country, no matter how remote that place is that you don't find an Igbo man there. And when you find him, he is always contributing to the economic development of that place. Therefore, your contribution to the economic development of Lagos in particular and Nigeria in general is well appreciated."
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has called for a truce in the on-going war of attrition between Tinubu and Ogunlewe.
In a statement at the weekend, NIPR state chairman, Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, said the personality clash between the two prominent and respectable statesmen was uncalled for and inimical to the peace and development of Lagos State.
He stated that both Tinubu and Ogunlewe should forget party politics and rather work hand-in-hand as Lagos indigenes to bring democracy dividend to the state.
And for the Alliance for Democracy (AD) Senate Leader Tokunbo Afikuyomi, the Federal Government should call Ogunlewe to order to forestall violent reaction from Lagos residents over his utterances and actions.
Afikuyomi yesterday at a press conference in Lagos also said he had watched "with utter sadness and regret the actions of the Minister of Works and his ministry concerning Lagos State. I feel bad that a lawyer, a seasoned civil servant and a former Senator can grossly violate the provisions of the Appropriation Act among other violations."
He, therefore, warned that except the attacks on LASTMA and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials were stopped, the state government could take precise action to protect those in its employ while undertaking their legitimate duties.
He also added that by appointing 17 special assistants and personal assistants and claiming to have spent N2 billion when the 2004 Appropriation for road rehabilitation in Lagos State is N121, 048,036, Ogunlewe has also violated due process.
And yet, the Lagos State government has been urged to adopt lobby and dialogue in its dealings with the Federal Government so that the people of the state will continue to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
A member of the Federal Road Monitoring Committee, who is also a spokesman for the Works Minister, Chief Willy Akinlude, gave the advice in an interview with The Guardian in Lagos. The call is on the heels of reports that the $100 million World Bank fund to improve urban mass transportation and road rehabilitation in the state was suffering undue delay.
Akinlude dismissed speculations that Ogunlewe was using his position to stall the project following his feud with Tinubu. He blamed the delay on Tinubu who he accused of "impolitic and failure to identify and apply lobby and dialogue, which are the wheels on which democracy dividend moves."`
