Today, I celebrate a politician of Nigerian extraction. A man who has served his state of residence, Lagos, with unhidden dedication, devotion, passion and total submission to the supreme wish of the party he belongs – the All Progressives Congress (APC) – and by extension the Nigerian nation. By this, I am referring to the outgoing Governor of Lagos State, who was only recently “outclassed” in his party’s primary elections.

I salute a true faithful and loyal party man, by the name Mr Akinwunmi Ambode. By every definition he is, indeed, a true omoluwabi who accepted defeat gallantly, congratulated the winner of the primary and even promised continuous loyalty, and expressed gratitude - even in the face of defeat – to the national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the “leadership of our great party at state and national levels, all party faithful and all Lagosians.” What a humbling expression!

This, Ambode experience, should be an interesting case-study to students of political history. Not only that, this experience of defeat should also be a lesson to Gov Ambode himself.

I read somewhere, about two weeks ago, where former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Musiliu Smith, made strenuous effort to reach the governor. The ex-IGP said he had an important message he wanted to pass to the governor; but that on each attempt, the governor rebuffed his call.

At least, this piece of information was in public domain. l am not exaggerating! Painfully, the exposition revealed, the ex-IGP had to resort to the (Police) Orderly to get to the governor, who was (still) unable to connect Smith to the governor: not as a result of communication challenges, but because the governor will not “take it lightly with him.” If the ex-IGP had succeeded in reaching the governor with the information, perhaps, this humiliation and defeat would have been mitigated, or avoided. That is not all. There is a litany of “sins” allegedly committed by Ambode, but for lack of space l will be unable to recall such “sins” here.

It is however instructive, by way of advice, that the governor should embrace some attitudinal change; as l am repeatedly told “Ambode treated his party chieftains with disdain and a high level of arrogance.” That, in a nutshell, caused Ambode his second term ticket at the Alausa Executive Office. Hopefully, in future, when he finds himself in public office, he will be more circumspect, diplomatic and treat people with respect.

Permit me to digress and make a passing remark on Senator Olusola Saraki and co, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). There is nothing wrong with Peoples' Democratic Party, practically nothing, as a political institution per se. However, defecting to the PDP because they had organisational issues with the All Progressives Congress (APC), only portrays them as disloyal party members; and they are actually on “self-serving, self-actualisation mission and not essentially to the people, which ought to be their base.” And that is the wide difference between Ambode, who can be truly categorised as a “genuine, loyal, faithful party man and not self-seeking person, people-driven politician, in the class of First Republic politicians of repute.”

And that is the moral lesson embedded in Gov Akinwunmi Amode letter of acceptance dated October 03, 2018. I genuinely feel elated by his action, an action that has, indeed, enriched the political narrative. He has demonstrated that he is in the party because he believes in the party’s ideology. Brilliant! Wonderful!

IGP Idris Must Hear This . . .

On the night of Monday, October 1, 2018, somewhere along Arab Road/Byhazin junction in Kubwa District, about 8.45pm, l noticed some unsettling development happening on the major road leading to Byhazin Primary School.

I became curious and was anxious to know the cause of this flagrant public disturbance. Suddenly, l saw three young soldiers with horse-whip, terrorising every okada rider in sight, with animal instinct beating any civilian they could lay their hands on, forcefully disconnecting “I pass my neighbour” generators, consequently throwing the owners, their shops and the entire neighbourhood into total darkness. Within seconds, the entire neighbourhood was thrown into total darkness.

Certainly, the action of these soldiers is despicable and unacceptable in any sane society. Wait for this! And this is the height of my narrative. I put a call to the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma. Promptly he picked up the call, as if he was expecting it. He gleefully asked for the location and instantly assured to contact the Kubwa DPO.

In less than five minutes, one Kubwa Division Police pick-up passed me to the main spot where the wahala actually began. Then, two minutes later, another police pick-up arrived on the scene. In less than 10 minutes, the community became calm, sanity returned. Thanks for the prompt intervention of the police, ably led by CP Ciroma.

Let me make this confession: I am an ardent listener of the popular Brekete Family Programme on Human Rights Radio 101.1FM; a reality live radio programme every morning (7.30-9.30) ably anchored by the “ordinary president, the voice of the voiceless”, a man with an extraordinary and benevolent spirit. On many occasions during the programme, “ordinary president”, Dr Ahmad Isa, had alluded to and exhorted the proactive response of CP Bala Ciroma.

Knowing Dr Isa, respected for his truthful disposition, l decided that Monday evening to try out the CP and, indeed, l got a pleasant experience. It did not just end there. By Tuesday evening, October 02, 2018, l furnished the CP with full report of the circumstances that prompted the action of the soldiers. By 10pm, same Tuesday, Ciroma called to invite me to his office: “any time you are free tomorrow, please come to my office to discuss....”

By 2.15pm on Wednesday, as the FCT PPRO, my friend and brother, A Manzah, ushered me into the office of the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command. The CP, a dark-skinned fellow, humbly stood up to receive me, with his hand firmly stretched forward for a handshake. He then profusely thanked me for my community spirit and assured that he will assiduously work on the report l sent to him the previous day on the possibility to cleanse the community. I was inspired by his humane disposition and promise to intervene.

It was, indeed, a humbling experience meeting live with such a scrupulous and unassuming cop with a friendly disposition. Thanks to FCT spokesman Manzah, AC Sabo, the AC in charge of Jabi division, and another very inspiring, accommodating and very friendly senior officer, DCP Arungwa Nwazue.

I think the Police Force is blessed to have committed, dedicated and industrious officers, particularly in the FCT command, under you, sir, IGP Idris. I just thought l should share this remarkable experience with you. I am genuinely proud of these senior officers.

•Bernard Balogun (BenPino) writes from Wuse District of Abuja and could be reached via bernardbalogun1@yahoo.com; 08181812456.

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