• As Ambode vows to run an open government
LAGOS State governor, Babatunde Fashola, has described the 2015 election campaigns as the most difficult he has ever participated in. Fashola, in his confession, said never has any political contest divided over 120,000 Lagos civil service than the 2015 general elections did.
The governor, who, however, thanked the workers for giving All Progressives Congress (APC) the edge, said it was time to close ranks and give the in-coming administration massive support. Fashola, during a “thank you meeting” with the state civil servants in Agidingbi said the 2015 elections attained heights, which previous elections never achieved.
He said: “I have been involved in four elections till date. In 2003, I was the Chief of Staff to Governor Bola Tinubu, 2007 and 2011 as candidate while 2015 as governor. But not in any of those elections have I seen a campaign that tried to divide our public service.
“I have never seen posters (by oppositions) in front of the State secretariat, Alausa, and these posters distorted the reality of our condition in service. The posters alleged that the minimum wage wasn’t paid and that leave bonuses have been withdrawn. That was dangerous for public service.
They didn’t reflect the reality. “But today, you have decided to keep the model that we have developed. We have become the flagship government in Nigeria.
Today, I like to thank all of you, irrespective of the side you voted.” While citing the cliché that variety is the spice of life, he added that it must enrich the polity and unite all and sundry.
Again he declared: “The second message I have for you (civil servants) is that choice must never divide us. On last Saturday, some of us were supporting APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others.
Today, the elections are over; we are now one. That is the most important thing. “The majority has spoken on who should govern the state. And now, we must move from yesterday to professionalism because the task ahead is daunting, both at the state and national levels.”
He reiterated that his government and that of the in-coming administration would not discriminate against anyone. Earlier, the governor-elect, Akinwunmi Ambode, had vowed to run an open government that would thrive on the contributions of all residents.
Ambode added that he would welcome criticisms of his policies and programmes from workers for the best interest of the state and its residents.
Explaining the importance of civil servants to the state’s development, the governor-elect said: “We know that the public service is the driver of any government. So, we begin this journey of greater development together.
I expect you to bring with me improved productivity. “Whatever it is that our administration will do in the betterment of the lives of residents, you should always walk with us and help us.
I just want to appreciate you and tell you to always stand up and tell us the truth about the prosperity of Lagos. I am passionate about that prosperity and I want you to work with me.”
Having worked in the state’s civil service and retired after 27 years, he understood everything about the system. As he explained that he was a beneficiary of service’s long-standing culture of excellence, he added that he would do his best to make the service the best in Africa.
He promised to improved synergy among the executive, legislative arms of government and the judiciary for greater service to residents, while his administration would work closely with the Federal Government to speed up the state’s pace of development.
