He was not on the political radar.
No noise. No long years of partisan combat. No entrenched political machinery of his own.
Yet, in 2015, he emerged—lifted by circumstance, endorsed by the political establishment, and ultimately pointed to power by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He rode a wave not of his own making—but one that demanded competence, continuity, and technocratic discipline.
And for a moment, the tide carried him.
A Brief Account of Stewardship: The Ambode Years (2015–2019)
As Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode governed with a technocrat’s precision and an administrator’s instinct.
His tenure, though politically truncated, was performance-heavy and structurally impactful.
1. Infrastructure Expansion and Urban Renewal
Ambode accelerated road construction and rehabilitation across Lagos—particularly in previously neglected suburbs.
Network of inner roads opened in Alimosho, Agege, and Ajah corridors
Expansion of major arterials like Oshodi–Apapa Expressway
Transformation of Oshodi into a modern transport interchange hub
He pushed Lagos outward—decongesting the island and activating the mainland.
2. Security Architecture Reinforcement
Understanding Lagos as an economic nerve centre, he strengthened security infrastructure:
Deployment of patrol vehicles and surveillance equipment
Support for the Rapid Response Squad (RRS)
Establishment of a more responsive emergency management system
Crime visibility reduced, and response time improved.
3. Transportation Reform and Traffic Management
Ambode took decisive steps in tackling Lagos traffic:
Introduction of lay-bys and traffic redesign in choke points
Strengthening of LASTMA operations
Early groundwork for modern bus reform systems
While not fully institutionalised, his interventions showed clear direction.
4. Power and Independent Energy Projects
He expanded embedded power initiatives:
Independent Power Projects for public institutions
Electrification of public schools and health centres
This reduced reliance on unstable national grid supply in critical sectors.
5. Environmental and Urban Aesthetics
Ambode pursued a cleaner, more organised Lagos:
Cleaner highways and improved waste management
Urban beautification—parks, lighting, and landscaping
Revival of public spaces like Ndubuisi Kanu Park
Lagos began to look like a city being prepared—not just managed.
6. Financial Discipline and Revenue Growth
With his background as an accountant and former Accountant-General of Lagos:
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) improved
Fiscal discipline was maintained
Capital projects were funded without reckless borrowing
He governed with numbers, not noise.
The Political Undercurrent: Where the Wave Turned
Yet, governance is not just performance—it is political navigation.
And here, the tide shifted.
Ambode’s fall was not due to absence of results—but misalignment with the political currents that produced him.
In 2018, he lost the APC ticket—a rare occurrence for an incumbent governor.
The system that elevated him… withdrew its cover.
Those he was given to—gave him up.
The Prophetic Pattern: Rising Outside the Radar
A pattern has already been established:
First emergence: Unexpected
First ascent: Externally propelled
First fall: Politically induced—not performance-driven
This is not a conventional political trajectory.
It is what you call a Davidic pattern—emergence from obscurity, validation in performance, interruption by power dynamics.
And such patterns rarely end in a single chapter.
The Second Wave: A Tide Forming Again?
Politics, like surfing, is not about controlling the ocean—but reading the wave.
Ambode’s first ride was not self-generated.
His second—when it comes—will demand something deeper:
Political intelligence equal to administrative competence
Coalition sensitivity equal to infrastructural vision
Alignment without loss of identity
Because a skillful surfer is not judged by the wave he meets—
But by how he returns to the water after being thrown off.
Final Reflection
There is often a silence before a second wave forms.
Not every observer sees it.
Not every participant believes it.
But those who understand tides… prepare before the swell appears.
If there is indeed an approaching wave for Akinwunmi Ambode, then the question is no longer about his past performance.
It is about his readiness for the coming wave.
Closing Line
Get your board ready.
Head for the beach.
Because when grace comes the second time—it does not announce itself with noise…
It rises with the tide.
