FASHOLA DESCENDING INTO THE ABYSS OF INFAMY. Written by Saint-Olawale Jimoh

        Of all the present and past governors in the Southwestern Nigeria, the present Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola remains one of my favourites. I fell in love with this man when he was listed among the best global thinkers. I took time to research about this dude and what actually it is about him that distinguishes him from the rest of our leaders.
     At a time, Colin Freeman, of The Telegraph, United Kingdom, touched a pleasant chord with me when he wrote that though Fashola 'famously claims to be "just doing his job" but has somehow won near-celebrity status for transforming west Africa's biggest city, cleaning up its crime-ridden slums and declaring war on corrupt police and civil servants!
     BRF as he's fondly called is simply one of a kind. Apart from being brainy, he's equally goal-driven and resulted-oriented.
    Over the years, hardwork and unwavering determination leads to success; continual success brings fame but fact is, not many people can manage fame. Some people having attained limelight suddenly become the opposite of what they have been known for.
    Fashola may have allowed his giant strides in Lagos State and past records get into his head because there cannot be any sensible justification for his actions in the last few months.
    For instance, early this year,  our own BRF publicly called his political opponent and PDP governoship candidate in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, a tax defaulter and claimed the pharmaceutical company owned by the fellow was owing Lagos State huge amount and it was only few days back that Jimi paid part of the debt.  Just few days after, Lagosians were shocked when in January, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi sent and signed a personal letter to Mr. Agbaje, commending him for his faithfulness in payment of taxes. This clearly showed BRF acutally lied considering the fact he's a lawyer and knows the consequences of such action.
    Just few days ago, same Fashola was quoted to have said, 'training Almajiri children has no gains!' This coming from a public office holder and till today, I have never seen anyone either on the social media or in the newspapers condemning this speech credited to Fashola.
     The real shock came again when he claimed the Presidency was responsible for the recent robbery attack in Lekki. This is one of the most irresponsible comments I have ever heard from a public office holder. He claimed the security operatives who were supposed to secure the area all went to secure the venue President Jonathan visited in same Lagos. If all the security operatives were engaged with GEJ's visit as Fashola claimed, how come 3 policemen where among the casualties?

     Meanwhile, if I'm not mistaking, Fashola made this statement at the APC Youth Rally held at Intercontinental Hotel which had in attendance Buhari, APC governors and other top party's officials. Is he fooling us that no policeman was deployed to the hotel in their hundreds? Or his hundreds of police attachment in his convoy couldn't have faced the robbers some close distance to the scene of the incidence. I think it's high time we quit politicising issues that concern lives.

   It's disheartening to see how money and politics could change a man we all admire and respect. Just imagined what a political party reduced a once respectable SAN to?
 An African proverb says when a leaf stayed longer in the soap, it becomes a soap as well. Fashola has stayed long enough in the system and has suddenly become one the regular Nigeria politicians.