By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Last Saturday, September 5,marked the 100th day of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration in Lagos. Ambode, in his inaugural speech, said his administration would practice an inclusive government. Following his inauguration, Ambode announced the appointments of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary.

Gov. Ambode

Mr. Tunji Bello, the immediate past Commissioner for Environment, was appointed as the SSG. Mr. Samuel Olukunle, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Chief of Staff became the new Chief of Staff. Mr. Habib Adamson Aruna was appointed the Chief Press Secretary.

As usual, many expected the governor to, in a matter of few weeks, announce his kitchen cabinet. But alas, three months after, Lagosians and indeed Nigerians are still kept in the dark over who and who will form the next cabinet in Lagos.

Though, the list of commissioners and aides, according to informed sources, is ready for submission to members of the State House of Assembly, many factors are said to be delaying the appointment of the commissioners.

Ambode, it was gathered had approached Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his mentor, godfather and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for his blessing on some pragmatic steps he wanted to take and the leader gave his nod.

Apart for waiting on President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint his ministers, Ambode, a retired civil servant himself, was shocked at the level of degradation of the civil service he inherited from his predecessor, hence the need to reposition the civil service, which he believed is the engine room for any government to succeed and make indelible impression on the generality of the public.

The composition it was gathered initially divided the party following exclusion and inclusion of names of some individuals, which did not augur well with some APC members. The differences were said to have been resolved by Tinubu and other respected leaders of the party.

The major step taken by Ambode was the restructuring of the civil service. He first dissolved boards of all paratstatals and agencies, which was followed by the sacking of about 19 permanent secretaries. He said the restructuring was geared towards improving the public service and enhancing service delivery.

Ambode did not mince word about cutting the cost of governance as well as making use of technocrats as he embarked on streamlining the ministries. Apart from politicians, Ambode is looking at appointing some technocrats from the civil service, a reason he called for the formation of retired Heads of Service and Perm Secs forum, recently.

Speaking at the inauguration of the forum, Ambode said the forum was aimed at helping the state continue to tap from their wealth of experience, knowledge and institutional memory, noting that the forum could further add value to good governance and efficiency in public service delivery.

Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, described the forum as a blessing in disguise.

He said: “As you are aware, the past few months have witnessed some restructuring in the public service featuring the realignment of MDAs and creation of new ones. All these are aimed at repositioning the public service for better performance in terms of quality and timely service delivery.”

He believed that the perm secs could provide a solid foundation for excellent public service upon which successive administrations in the state can erect super structures. Ambode, apparently, feels he is comfortable working with Permanent secretaries now to enable him properly streamline his 3 Ps, policies, programmes, and projects.

‘’Those, who are orchestrating for the appointment of commissioners are those believed to be looking for positions. How many states in the country have appointed commissioners?

“Let them give him time, what he is doing is re-organisation, he wants to take charge of governance the way he feels he can do it better. Let us allow him, let us give him a space,” said one of the state lawmakers,’’ she said. Also, the delay is also due to the absence of members of the Lagos State House of Assembly who are currently on recess, attending a workshop abroad.

It was gathered that as soon as the lawmakers resume next week, the governor may send the list for consideration and subsequent ratification.

Likely commissioners, aides list

Although Ambode has kept the final list close to his chest, Saturday Vanguard gathered that those may be considered for appointment include: Abdullateef Abdulhakeem, former Commissioner Political and Legislative Matters to former Governor Fashola; Hon, Lola Akande, a former member Lagos State House of Assembly; Hakeem Muri Okunola, newly retired Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau; and Prince Gbolahan Lawal, the immediate past Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives.

Others include Mr. Oladapo Seye, a former Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Commerce and Industry; Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, a Journalist of note who was one of the media professionals that packaged the campaign strategies of the governor; Dr. Lateef Raji, a party loyalists and strategist; Engr, Ganiu Johnson, a former Special Adviser to the governor on Works and Infrastructure; Dr, Wale Ahmed, immediate past Commissioner for Special Duties and Mr, Kehinde Bamigbetan, former Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, and former Chief Press Secretary to Tinubu.