By Ishaya Ibrahim
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State may risk early affront with his political godfather, Bola Tinubu if he dares makes appointments.
More than 24 hours after his inauguration, the governor is sitting pretty, unable to make appointments of his own, in his own government until Tinubu decides, an insider in Lagos APC has told TheNiche.
He resumed on Thursday with his deputy, Babafemi Hamzat to a rousing welcome at Government House Alausa, Ikeja.
Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had made some appointments before his inauguration in 2015, especially personal aides like the chief of staff.
On May 29, the day of Sanwo-Olu’s inauguration, the media had reported that he had named his campaign director-general, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, as his chief of staff. But Ayinde himself denied the report.
“My attention has been drawn to a news item circulating in some quarters of the media, especially digital media, where it is reported that I have been appointed as the chief of staff by the Governor of Lagos state, Obafemi Sanwo-Olu.
“Let me state emphatically that His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has not made any cabinet appointment. The only official assignment undertaken so far by him was taking of the oath of office and inspection of the Guard of Honour,” Ayinde said.
It was curious why Ayinde himself was the one refuting the report of his own appointment.
But TheNiche was told that Sanwo-Olu cannot make a single appointment even though he is the head of the government effective from May 29.
He has to await a list from his God Father, Bola Tinubu, on the people that would fill the positions in the government.
Politicians are already jostling for positions by throwing mud on Ambode in the hope that Tinubu might find them loyal enough for appointment in Sanwo-Olu’s government.
Tunji Bello, secretary to the Lagos government under Ambode, described as amateurish the administration in which he played a prominent role, and in fact, its engine room for four years.
“Our main drawback is our government’s inability to apply enough emotional intelligence in the administration of the state.
“Emotional intelligence includes interpersonal skills, interpersonal relationship, humility, respect for the well-established mores of governance, disregard for the accomplishments of others.
“The belief that our way is the best without considering other options in a democratic setting, absence of wider consultations, distance from the governed, lack of effective communication skill or amateurish display of government acts and political immaturity. Deliberate and open alienation of others.
“In leadership, emotional intelligence is 70 per cent of application while individual brilliance is only 30 percent. Successful leaderships across the world in history have thrived on this fact.
“Besides, and apart from lack of enough camaraderie compare to previous administrations, our cabinet has been less rigorous, less fulfilled, less engaged and less accomplished. And for the first time since the time of Governor Lateef Jakande, this cabinet departs unappreciated and disenchanted,” he said.
Bello’s lambasting of the government in which he played a prominent role is believed to be part of a scheme to relaunch himself into the government of Sanwo-Olu.
Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, was said to have appointed a former head of service in the state, Folasade Jaji, as the new Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, announced the appointment in a statement on Thursday.
Jaji is the 18th Secretary to the State Government.