Ex-secretary to the Lagos State government said Ambode was ousted for lacking emotional intelligence

FORMER Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode has been criticised by his secretary to the state government Tunji Bello for lacking emotional intelligence which resulted in numerous stakeholders being left behind during his administration.

Yesterday, Mr Ambode bowed out of office after just one term, having been defeated in his party's primaries by Governor Babajide Sanwoolu. During an acrimonious contest, former governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, backed Governor Sanwoolu against his predecessor, leading to the incumbent Governor Ambode being ousted by a landslide.

According to Mr Bello, who served as secretary to the Lagos State government over the last four years, Governor Ambode's main drawback was his inability to apply enough emotional intelligence in the administration of the state. In a statement entitled Time to Say Goodbye to Colleagues on This Platform, he however, thanked Governor Ambode for bringing him and his colleagues together over the last four years.

Mr Bello said: “We must praise him for the successful strides in bringing Lagos to the present level and all the accomplishments and success stories of this administration should go to him. Yet, as we depart on our individual sojourn, we must never forget to learn from our glaring weaknesses and failures, as since we are all part of the success stories, we must also share in the weaknesses and failures.

“Our main drawback was our government’s inability to apply enough emotional intelligence in the administration of the state. Emotional intelligence includes interpersonal skills, interpersonal relationship, humility, respect for the well established mores of governance, disregard for the accomplishments of others.

"This includes the belief that our way was the best without considering other options in a democratic setting, the absence of wider consultations, distance from the governed, lack of effective communication skills or amateurish display of government acts and political immaturity, deliberate and open alienation of others. We undertook gigantic projects without the soul and we were too self-opinionated and narrow in our approach to governance."

He added that this was a big drawback which prevented the administration from returning because it was punished for its lack of inclusiveness. According to Mr Bello, in leadership, emotional intelligence is 70% of application while individual brilliance is only 30%.

“Besides, and apart from lack of enough camaraderie compare to previous administrations, our cabinet has been less rigorous, less fulfilled, less engaged and less accomplished. For the first time since the time of Governor Lateef Jakande, this cabinet departs unappreciated and disenchanted," Mr Bello added.

Yesterday, Governor Ambode chose to stay away from the inauguration of his successor, Governor Sanwoolu saying his successor deserves to enjoy his historic day without him sharing the glory. On Tuesday, Governor Ambode had formally handed over reins of power in a ceremony at State House.