Following reports that President Muhammadu Buhari is considering the former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode as a minister in his second term, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has vowed not to allow the presidency to reward Ambode’s disloyalty.
Herald Nigeria gathered that the position is being fronted by party men loyal to the National Leader of the ruling party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the same group that edged our Ambode in favour of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Top party chiefs in the Mandate Group accused the ex-governor of frustrating many party members in Lagos State during his tenure and there was, therefore, the need “to teach him a lesson.”
Consequently, the aggrieved party men were said to be making moves to petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over Ambode’s alleged financial misappropriation and corruption.
One of the party sources, who spoke to The Punch, said, “Ambode tried to destroy the party in his first term. Apart from not being accessible, he revoked contracts belonging to party members and brought in his own companies. He tried to destroy our chances by trying to undermine Sanwo-Olu at every turn.
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“He did not campaign for us. Rather, he was following Buhari all over the place. He should not expect to represent Lagos in any capacity. We will not allow him have any appointment.”
Another source said, “Ambode is from Ondo State and he cannot deny it. Yes, he was governor in Lagos State but the constitution allows that. However, the constitution states clearly that only an indigene of a state can represent that state as far as ministerial appointments are concerned.
“We will ensure that the three senators from Lagos State block his nomination in the event that he is nominated by the President. There must be party discipline.”
The source said a probe of Ambode’s administration would soon commence where the cases of alleged fraud and abuse of office would be exposed.
However, a former aide to Ambode said, “Ambode is already prepared for the worst since they have already humiliated him. Buhari even appealed to them to let Ambode return as governor but they refused. They then tried to impeach him but they failed.
“They should remember that Ambode was a permanent secretary and accountant-general of the state before becoming a governor.
“He knows the secrets of all those making threats. Anybody who is on a mission of revenge could be digging his own grave in the process. I won’t say more than that.”