Ambode treating us well, says Arewa community

The Arewa Community in Lagos State has debunk allegations by one Alhaji Mohammed Bambado, who claimed and addressed himself as the Sarkin Fulani of Lagos that the Northern people has been side-lined in the affairs of the state.

In a statement signed by the secretary general of the Arewa Community in Lagos and signed by Alhaji Musa Saleh, the group said Alhaji Mohammed Bambado is not in position to speak for the Arewa Community.

“The statements credited to him are his personal opinion which we unequivocally submit are practically lies from the figment of his imagination.

Categorically, the Arewa people have not been in any way side-lined in the socio-economic and political affairs of Lagos State by the present administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

“Economically, we have been in control of our various markets in Alaba Rago, Iddo Market, Mile-12 Market, Okeodo Market, Gatankowa Market, Lagos State Abattoir, Sabo Ikorodu to mention a few.

“We also requested for the development of an ultra modern market for food products and the state governor approved it and is presently working assiduously on the development of this multi-million market in Imota where the already choked Mile-12 Market will be relocated to.

“Politically, we have representatives in various positions in the ruling party, APC and even in the Lagos State government cabinet. Arc. Ahmed Kabiru Abdullahi is presently serving as the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission.

He was appointed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. Alhaji Musa Saleh is also serving as EA in the same Commission,” the statement said.

The statement added: “Our own Hon. Gambo Manzo is also serving as the SA to the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

During the last local government elections, we also got three principal officers as Majority Leaders of Apapa Local Government Council and Ikoyi/ Obalende Local Council Development Area, Ishaq Ali Danbaba and Sulainman Jibrin respectively.

Sani Yau Bichi is also the Chief Whip in Apapa L. G., while Mrs. Sulaiman K. A. is also a Counsellor in Ifelodun Development Area of Lagos State.

“We are equally awaiting various appointments across the 57 local governments for those who contested and lost but aided our great party to victory.

As you all know, we had representatives who served as Supervisory Councilors and Special Advisers in 37 Local Governments and LCDAs in Lagos State,” the statement added.

The Arewa community called on the general public, the Lagos State government and the people of Lagos State to ignore what it described as the fallacious press statement by Mohammed Bambado as they are not in tune with the reality on ground,

but a bunkum and a very cheap attempt to create disharmony between the Arewa Community and the Lagos State government.

“It is a blackmail to gain political relevance through the backdoor.

The administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode have been carrying the Arewa community along, we have been having meaningful interactions with the government of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and we are very happy with the outstanding performance of his government.

“We are calling on our action governor to continue with the cordial relationship we have developed over time and not get distracted by the antics of hate propagators from rendering good governance to us as we strongly believe more and more benefits are coming our way.

“Lagos State Government and Kaduna State Government remain the only truly Nationalistic State Governments in Nigeria and we commend them. Thank you Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. Lets emulate them to make Nigeria work.

“The Arewa Community is solidly in support of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration as partners in progress, we know how the government is managing the state resources in achieving the massive infrastructural development in the state as Lagosians are witnessing now.

And we thank you so much,” the statement added.