Protesters storm Lagos State House of Assembly demanding that Ambode be left alone

DEMONSTRATORS have stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest planned moves by lawmakers to impeach Governor Akinwunmi Ambode amid claims that he engaged in the unlawful spending of state funds.

Earlier this week, 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 former governor and All Progressives Congress APC) national leader Asiwaju Tinubu of inciting the lawmakers to impeach Governor 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.

To protest the move, a group of demonstrators stormed the assembly this morning, carrying banners with inscriptions, pointing out that the removal of Governor Ambode would disrupt the peaceful conduct of the general elections. They asked the lawmakers to allow the governor complete his tenure.

Police vans were mounted at the entrance to the assembly as the protesters sang solidarity songs, pointing out that Governor Ambode did not deserve the treatment being meted out to him. They added that the governor had done well during his tenure, providing Lagos State with several infrastructural developments.

One protester said: “I am concerned as a Lagosian as his performance is visible, so they should leave him alone. I was not paid to come for this protest, nobody gave me anything nut they should just allow him complete his tenure, which ends in a few months time.”