Debate Grows Over Relevance Of Lagos Governance Advisory Committee 

The turmoil within the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to escalate, with growing debates among political watchers over the relevance—or lack thereof—of the Governance Advisory Committee (GAC), a body established by President Bola Tinubu. 

In recent times, the body has been under intense pressure and criticism regarding its essence and continued existence given the sharp polarisation and balkanisation within its rank and file. 

The GAC is widely regarded as having outlived its usefulness, becoming a burden on President Bola Tinubu and the Lagos State Government, prompting calls from some quarters for its dissolution. 

According to Olaogun Thorpe and Adebayo Akanni, members of the Good Governance for Lagos Group pointed out that the committee is divided into camps of political cleavages of Justice Forum (JF) and The Mandate Movement (TMM). 

They said, “the Acting Chairman of the GAC, Prince Tajudeen Olusi is of Justice Forum extraction and others in his camp are; Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Otunba Bushura Alebiosu, Chief Sosanya, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Otunba Henry Ajomale, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Alhaji Mutiu Are (the Secretary of the body) Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Princess Joke Orelope-Adefulire, Princess Sarah Sosan and Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi (APC State Chairman). 

Also in the fold of The Mandate Movement (TMM) led by Cardinal James Odunmbaku according to Olaogun and Adebayo are; Senators Anthony Adefuye, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Ganiyu Solomon, Idiat Adebule, Chief Yomi Finnih, Chief Muraina Taiwo, Alhaji Shakiru Seriki (who is said to be hobnobbing with the JF in recent days) and Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa. 

“Other members of the body who are neither here nor there are Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Otunba Femi Pedro. 

“Segregation on the basis of State of Origin is also an issue within the GAC fold as the Lagos indigenes in the body usually have their separate nocturnal meetings, ostracizing the likes of Cardinal Omolaja Odunmbaku, Otunba Bushura Alebiosu, Senator Anthony Adefuye, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Chief Muraina Taiwo, Rt. Hon. Obasa, Alhaji Mutiu Are, Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Governor Babajide Sanwoolu. 

“Except Alhaji Mutiu Are, who is from Ibadan, Oyo State, all the others aforementioned are from Ogun State,” the duo stated. 

Part of the agitation of the Lagos Indigenes Group within the GAC fold, according to Olaogun, who is also the Team Leader, Social and Human Right Advocate and Adebayo, Youth\Grassroots mobilizer for Credible Election, has been that the three topmost positions in the government of Lagos State (Governor, Deputy Governor and Speaker) are occupied by Ogun state indigenes before the ‘coup’ which produced Hon. Mojisola Merandah as Speaker, which they blame Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for deliberately empowering non-indigenes. 

“Unknown to him, the incumbent Governor is funding a project he thinks is meant to bring Obasa down but is unaware of the bigger Lagos Plan which also strives to decisively decimate the powers of President Bola Tinubu who also has severally been described as a non-indigene from Iragbiji in Osun State. 

“There is also the propaganda making the rounds that the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s strong interest in Obasa stems from the Ogun State affiliation as she is also branded to be from Ijebu-Ode. She is also accused of nominating another Ogun State indigene Jide Sanwoolu to replace Ambode as Governor.” 

The Good Governance for Lagos Group noted that, “the Lagos Group in the GAC have vowed to curtail and they have the blessings of some traditional rulers to forge on. Ironically, most of the perpetrators of this agenda are people President Tinubu nurtured, empowered and built over the years. 

“The integrity of some members of the GAC is being put to question in recent times because they have not only been foisting their children on party members for political positions but also receiving pecuniaires from aspirants and serving political office holders. 

“Three GAC leaders from Ikorodu, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Oshodi-Isolo have their children as members of the House of Assembly. The acting Chairman of the body has his son as Council Chairman in Lagos Island and another member is currently pushing for his son to be Council chairman in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, inspite of having one at the Lagos House of Assembly presently. 

“They are also milking the resources of the state as they receive brand new SUVs at every tenure from the government whilst also enjoying largesse from contracts patronage. At every meeting, the members are paid juicy bonuses. It is also said that some of them get executive and legislative arms of government sponsorship for their overseas travels, pilgrimages, birthdays, health tourism, among other benefits, depending on how good they are in the book of the government.” 

However, the pressure on the President to do away with the GAC is mounting and in the weeks ahead, a lot of developments are expected to occur in the political configuration of the State, according to watchers.