Lagos hopefuls and the doctrine of continuity

One single word is setting the whole of Lagos into political frenzy, reverberating throughout the length and breadth of the state.

Continuity!

It is the key word for those in the All Progressive Congress planning to succeed Babatunde Fashola, SAN as the governor of this rich and influential state.

It is almost like a mantra and a song rolled into one, sung with feeling and fervor to drum up support for the giant strides being recorded by the Fashola administration, while building on the foundation of the preceding Bola Tinubu regime. Expectedly, the continuity band has grown in leaps and bounds with no less than 10 aspirants formally expressing interest in the race. Whether in an ‘acapella form’ that requires no more than social-media buzz or with the full ‘orchestral accompaniment’ of party supporters, the continuity choristers are very audible and the people will sure enjoy the performance till it reaches the crescendo of the primaries next month.

It must be a good testimony to the leadership of APC in Lagos and to the immediate-past and current administrations in particular, therefore, that those seeking to be governor in Lagos state on the platform of the party are united in one thing at least – to consolidate and build on the achievements of the Tinubu-Fashola template. If several other states struggle to see the gains of the past 15 years of democracy, the aspirants in Lagos are saying their state has made tremendous progress and that it can do a lot better if the vision is maintained.

Without doubt, Lagos is an extraordinarily important state; to the whole of Nigeria and indeed to the economy of West Africa. As a social and economic nerve-centre of Nigeria, with about 20 million people and multi-billion dollar business transactions annually, it is within logic to say Lagos is the California of Africa, richer than many states combined in Nigeria and running a budget that is bigger than those of several African countries.

It must have been the realization of that unique potential of this state that spurred the Tinubu-led cabinet, at the dawn of the administration in 1999, to consider a long-term developmental plan that will transform Lagos into a truly global city and world-class economy. Consequently, a 32-year development plan was hatched among the core campaign team and his first cabinet. How the economy of the state would expand and grow rapidly without disruptive political upheavals was the core concern of that administration.

In a way, that dream for meaningful growth in an atmosphere of political continuity was similar to what a few cerebral politicians also designed in Cross River State with Donald Duke as the arrow-head of that vision. With a 24-year plan in mind and an idea of those who should take the baton one after the other roughly agreed, the Duke team conceived and pursued a wonderful plan that propelled the eco-tourism landscape of Obudu, Tinapa and hospitality culture in Calabar that is worthy of export.

But the Lagos plan was larger in scope and the people, in the first year of the vision, were asked in a futuristic television commercial to imagine a few life-transforming projects. The Independent Power Project, Fourth Mainland Bridge, a new city within the city (Eko Atlantic), the Bus Rapid Transportation project, the light rail and tram system as well as the transformation of the beaches and waterfronts for aggressive tourism developments…were conceived as ideas that would create comfort and jobs.

If oil discovery came along the line as was envisaged, then that would be a bonus. But it was not meant to be a dash, but a journey that required keeping eyes on the ball at all times. And so as the Internally Generated Revenue grew from a paltry N600m monthly to multi-billion, the projected transformation began in earnest. But it is important to appreciate the idea behind it – the need to plan, execute and consolidate.

That lofty dream for Lagos has not even reached halfway yet. But the progress has been remarkable, so much so that it will be a bit tough for opposition candidates not to acknowledge let alone campaign against the kind of transformation that The Telegraph of London glowingly described as effective last week.

Who then is best suited to pick the baton in 2015 and continue with the second half of the 32-year initial developmental plan for this city of dreams? I am inclined to accept that Fashola’s successor will have a ‘Progressive DNA’. But a few of my friends are quick to say that the two leading candidates in the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State also carry a variant of such DNA having originally aligned with the progressives before venturing out to pursue their dreams elsewhere.

Others less charitable would argue that Progressive DNA is not so much about your past but mainly about your current ideological leaning and preferably within the abode of founding fathers of progressive politics. And that having lost previous elections against politicians that chose to remain within that progressive enclave may not be a good testimonial for those who are again seeking to occupy the Round House in Alausa.

However, as the day of reckoning beckons for those singing the continuity song, the direction of the APC party leadership seems to be getting apparent, for the Lagos developmental plan not to get derailed. Zoning the governorship to the Lagos-East senatorial district, in order to give that area its own opportunity, is the first clear message.

A tested and trusted hand that is mentally in tune with the correct letter of continuity, perhaps with pass marks from both the political and monarchical establishments, may also be an added consideration. If that person now caps his qualifications with membership of a religious persuasion that deserves to produce the governor this time around, in the wisdom of party elders, then that candidate would have almost arrived safely at the finishing line.

It is that one candidate that will, in the end, wax lyrical, singing the continuity song in Lagos and joining his party to chant the change mantra in Abuja.