PROTESTERS WARN LAGOS LAWMAKERS ON MOVE TO IMPEACH AMBODE
Protesters Warn Lagos Lawmakers On Move To Impeach Ambode
Hundreds of protesters on Wednesday embarked on peaceful march to the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand immediate end to moves by lawmakers to impeach the governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.
The protesters said the action was not only self-serving but capable of setting the state ablaze and scaring away investors.
The protesters, who carried out the protest under the auspices of Lagos People’s Assembly – a coalition of civil society groups in the state, displayed placards of various inscriptions such as “Lagos people reject planned impeachment of Ambode, it’s self-serving; Lagosians love Ambode for his good works; We say let there be smooth transition for the sake of peace; Stop scaring investors and tourists from Lagos; Don’t set Lagos ablaze; and Lagos APC should be careful, election is around the corner,” among others.
The lawmakers had threatened to impeach the governor over alleged gross misconduct, particularly with regards to the 2019 appropriation bill.
But the protesters, led by human rights activist, Declan Ihekaire, said it was important for the lawmakers to drop the impeachment plan, and rather work with Governor Ambode to complete all ongoing projects and deliver democratic goodies to the people.
He said any move to forge ahead with the plan to impeach the lawmakers would ultimately affect the people negatively, and as such, all the parties – both executive and the legislature should sheathe their swords and rather concentrate on the dire need to work in the interest of the people.
“Lagos, it is trite to emphasize here, is the social and economic nerve centre of the country. A home to over 20 million population with gross infrastructural deficits. As far as we are concerned, if the two arms of government are determined to ensure that the welfare of the people is the supreme law of governance, then, it should be convenient to find a common-ground to resolve any ensuing misunderstanding.
“However, if the impasse is allowed to fester into huge political conflagration, the state and residents would be the victims of such a conflict. Besides, the general election is fast approaching and mischievous detractors on both sides would not hesitate to gain maximum personal aggrandizement from the conflict and such situation has the potential to disrupt the tradition of seamless transition of power and undermine the state’s social and economic geometric pace of development.
“We are appealing to the House of Assembly that, in the interest of one love and people of the state, they should leave Ambode to finish his tenure; the lawmakers should leave the governor to complete ongoing projects because that is what the people want,” Ihekaire said.
Responding, Majority Leader, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon Sinai Agunbiade, commended the protesters for conducting themselves in peaceful and orderly manner, assuring that the House would look into their petition and act accordingly.
Hundreds of protesters on Wednesday embarked on peaceful march to the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand immediate end to moves by lawmakers to impeach the governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode.
The protesters said the action was not only self-serving but capable of setting the state ablaze and scaring away investors.
The protesters, who carried out the protest under the auspices of Lagos People’s Assembly – a coalition of civil society groups in the state, displayed placards of various inscriptions such as “Lagos people reject planned impeachment of Ambode, it’s self-serving; Lagosians love Ambode for his good works; We say let there be smooth transition for the sake of peace; Stop scaring investors and tourists from Lagos; Don’t set Lagos ablaze; and Lagos APC should be careful, election is around the corner,” among others.
The lawmakers had threatened to impeach the governor over alleged gross misconduct, particularly with regards to the 2019 appropriation bill.
But the protesters, led by human rights activist, Declan Ihekaire, said it was important for the lawmakers to drop the impeachment plan, and rather work with Governor Ambode to complete all ongoing projects and deliver democratic goodies to the people.
He said any move to forge ahead with the plan to impeach the lawmakers would ultimately affect the people negatively, and as such, all the parties – both executive and the legislature should sheathe their swords and rather concentrate on the dire need to work in the interest of the people.
“Lagos, it is trite to emphasize here, is the social and economic nerve centre of the country. A home to over 20 million population with gross infrastructural deficits. As far as we are concerned, if the two arms of government are determined to ensure that the welfare of the people is the supreme law of governance, then, it should be convenient to find a common-ground to resolve any ensuing misunderstanding.
“However, if the impasse is allowed to fester into huge political conflagration, the state and residents would be the victims of such a conflict. Besides, the general election is fast approaching and mischievous detractors on both sides would not hesitate to gain maximum personal aggrandizement from the conflict and such situation has the potential to disrupt the tradition of seamless transition of power and undermine the state’s social and economic geometric pace of development.
“We are appealing to the House of Assembly that, in the interest of one love and people of the state, they should leave Ambode to finish his tenure; the lawmakers should leave the governor to complete ongoing projects because that is what the people want,” Ihekaire said.
Responding, Majority Leader, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon Sinai Agunbiade, commended the protesters for conducting themselves in peaceful and orderly manner, assuring that the House would look into their petition and act accordingly.
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