Tinubu fingered as the mastermind behind Lagos State House of Assembly's plans to impeach Ambode

ALL Progressives Congress (APC) national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has come under attack for being the mastermind behind recent plans to Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode impeached by state house of assembly.

Yesterday, the Lagos State House of Assembly debated a motion calling for the impeachment of Governor Ambode, amid charges that he was engaged in unapproved expenditure. Following the debate, the House summoned Governor Ambode to appear before it within one week over his failure to formally present the 2019 budget before the assembly.

Some Nigerians have accused Asiwaju Tinubu of inciting the lawmakers to impeach Ambode, stressing that he was still in full control of the affairs of the state. It is believed that the lawmakers are unhappy with the governor for not bankrolling their campaigns, which is considered the norm in Lagos State.

Given that Asiwaju Tinubu still controls the APC within Lagos State, it is believed that he incited the lawmakers to rebel against the governor under the pretext that he was spending monies not approved.  Privately, some APC members have also accused Governor Ambode of funding the campaign of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate Jimi Agbaje, although this has not been proven.

However, lawmakers claim that Governor Ambode needs to come and explain why he has not presented the 2019 budget publicly before the Lagos State House of Assembly. This year’s Appropriation Bill has not been presented to the lawmakers, leading to bitter disagreement between the executive and the legislature.

Last month, the governor sent the budget to the Lagos State House Assembly in contrary to the tradition of a formal public presentation. Majority leader Sanai Agunbiade, told his colleagues at yesterday’s plenary that it was important to give the governor a fair hearing on the budget, although he added that there had been violations of the constitution and alleged infractions.

Hon Agunbiade said: “The attorney-general, the finance commissioner and the commissioner for budget and economic planning, who ought to have advised the governor did not do so. The most important thing is that we should let the people know that a budget that was yet to be approved was being spent.

“We must give them a fair hearing to come and explain what happened. The point has been made that there must be something before the assembly before you can commence expenditure, so we want to call on the governor to come within a week to explain himself along with the other officials."

This stance was taken after the lawmakers read a report presented by deputy speaker Hon Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni as the chairman of the committee set up to examine issues surrounding the 2019 budget. He said the committee met with relevant commissioners and heads of agencies, including the commissioner for budget and economic planning Segun Banjo, who said no money had been spent in this year’s budget.

Hon Eshinlokun-Sanni said the accountant-general told the committee that a warrant had been issued that they could spend up to 25% of the preceding year’s budget before the approval of the new year’s appropriation. However, most lawmakers stressed that the governor and members of the state executive council were committing glaring constitutional breaches which might lead to serious consequences.

Governor Ambode and Asiwaju Tinubu have fallen out over recent months, leading to the APC leader's decision to back Babajide Sanwoolu as the party's gubernatorial candidate in the March 3 governorship elections. This lead to Mr Sanwoolu defeating Governor Ambode to clinch the party ticket with 93% of the vote.

It is believed that the governor opposed Asiwaju Tinubu's constant meddling in the running of his government, which eventually led to their falling out. Despite this, Governor Ambode has backed Mr Sanwoolu and has been campaigning for him across the state over the last few weeks.