Tinubu, Ambode, others shun Fashola's book launch

Prominent members of the All Progressives Congress, Tuesday, stayed away from a book launch chronicling the tenure of Babatunde Fashola at the helm of affairs of Lagos State.

Mr. Fashola was the governor of Lagos State between 2007 and 2015.

The books: The Great Leap, The Lagos Blowdown, and In Bold Print, were authored by Hakeem Bello,‎ Special Adviser on Media to Mr. Fashola, and Dapo Adeniyi.

While Mr. Fashola’s predecessor and a leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, failed to attend, he sent Tunde Samuel, who was among Lagos State delegates at last year’s National Conference, as his representative‎.

All APC governors, particularly those from the South West, failed to attend the book launch.

‎Akinwunmi Ambode, Mr. Fashola’s successor, was also conspicuously absent.

Among those present at the event include Funmilayo Atilade, the Lagos State Chief Judge; Lateefat Okunnun, former deputy governor of Lagos State; Gbenga Makanjuola, Chief of Staff to Bukola Saraki, who represented the Senate President; and Bimbo Ashiru, Ogun State Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, representing Ibikunle Amosun, the state governor.

‎In his welcome address, Fola Adeola, the former Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, commended some of those who attended the launch for being “brave and not afraid.”

“I believe everybody who came here today considers Fashola as a friend, brother, cousin, so I greet everyone and welcome them here‎,” Mr. Adeola said.

“I believe in fullness of time, everything evolves and dissolves, things come and go, Fashola, SAN and a former governor is now the only thing that will remain constant and the people who are here today are simply telling him that no matter what, they still remained his friend.”

Mr. Fashola has come under criticism lately over the contracts he awarded during his administration, including a N78 million spent for the upgrade of his personal website.