First class traditional ruler and Lagos monarch, Oba Rilwan Akiolu’s choice as Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s successor, Mr. Akin Ambode, is far from extricating himself from the murky waters of controversy. The latest one which the former Accountant General of the state is mirred in has to do with his roots. In spite of his persistent claims that he’s from Epe, Lagos State, an advertorial published in the Saturday Sun of June 28, 2014, on page 61, by the Committee For Democratic Ethos And Good Governance In Lagos, alleged otherwise. In it, there’s the JAMB form allegedly filled by Ambode and where he claimed to hail from Ondo, Ondo State. Accompanied by his photograph (then), a paragraph from the advert had said this and also posed this question: “Available evidence clearly revealed that a certain Akinwunmi Ibidapo Ambode from Ondo State attended the University of Lagos (UNILAG) as his passport photograph attached to his admission form indicated…The question is if the Ambode A.D in this picture is from Lagos State, was he claiming Ondo State to secure admission? Is he truly from Ondo State? Can we conclude that he committed perjury? Can such a person be entrusted with the oath of allegiance? What else has he lied about? If you can lie about your heritage, where then lies integrity, and honour that are in short supply among our leaders?”. The advert ended on a funny note. See: “As for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Fashola, it is in their interest to suggest to us the most competent person to do the job of running Lagos, after all, we will make our decisions secretly. Don’t take us for granted. Our state is now well managed and as a shining light in the country, we will not allow anyone no matter how powerful to reverse the progress. Please don’t be selfish. Think of our future”. Earlier, it had tackled Oba Akiolu and his choice of Ambode as the next governor of Lagos thus: “…In any case, our reasoning now is that the Oba might actually intend on exposing the lies around Ambode because of undue pressures mounted on him for some selfish reason…”
Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the 51 year old one-time Accountant General of Lagos State, has not known peace ever since his name cropped up as the candidate of APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his successor, Barrister Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN. Immersed in controversies soon after, particularly as it concerns where exactly he hails from, his adoption and public declaration by the Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu, during his book presentation, further compounded everything. This new advert is only the latest.