Ambode flees abroad to escape lobbyists and favour hunters

That politics is the clearing house of pressures is no mean fact; pundits aver that big and simple favours are the lubricating oil of every democratic government. Usually it is the accumulation of these small gratuities rather than any direct bribe that gradually obligates the person in power. And this instructive reality has playing out in the life of Lagos State's new governor-elect, Akinwumi Ambode. No sooner than he won the gubernatorial polls than Ambode was subjected to a barrage of phone calls and courtesy visits by lobbyists and power brokers seeking endless favours on behalf of their clients. In some instances, the actual characters lusting for plum positions and contracts under Ambode's incoming government simply bypass the career lobbyists and powerbrokers and desperately launch a vigorous campaign in pursuit of their various wants.

Wearied and embarrassed by the pressure severely mounted on him, Ambode has fled abroad to cool off and escape harassment by the political jobbers tearing his doors down in pursuit of their selfish interests. However, friends, family and political associates of the new governor-elect are worried that Ambode, like the Nigerian political stereotype, might have bitten more than he can chew, promising favours to 'investors' in his political dream prior to his election. If truly, the Lagos governor-elect had promised favours to the horde prowling his home, office and phone lines for various favours, he may have put himself at a great disadvantage - as it could be extremely difficult for him to guarantee 'returns on investment' of these political jobbers. Notwithstanding the facts of his disappearance, sources close to Ambode argue that he travelled to rest and shop for a new wardrobe befitting a new governor-elect of Lagos, the state of aquatic splendor.
Culled from The Capital.