The practice of political office holders struggling to anoint an heir to the throne in case of their exit is gradually falling apart.
This follows a cohesive move by Nigerians to uphold the agitation for change.
At the moment, out-gone Nigerian governors who succeeded in installing their allies as successors are enjoying temporary exoneration. While those who tried but were unfortunate in their bid to impose their chums have constantly being confronted with the barks and threats of successors who are pertinently waiting for a fitting time to bite.
These threats have constantly placed both parties at loggerheads leaving room for enmity to prevail.
Apart from a few incumbent governors who have openly exonerated their predecessors from inheriting an empty treasury, others have vowed to investigate their predecessors.
These governors are moving with determination to retrieve any looted property and are not bent on letting sleeping dogs lie.
Naij.com has compiled a list of some governors at loggerheads with their predecessors as they look very much ready to bite real hard.
Wike Vs Amaechi (Rivers state)
For months now, newspaper headlines have continued to compete for stories on the raging war between Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers state and his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi.
For Amaechi, his utterances have clearly shown that he does not recognize Wike as governor. At the other end, Wike’s body language has evidently shown that he’s all out to send Amaechi to cool off his heels behind bars.
Interestingly, before now, both men had enjoyed a very strong relationship. Having assisted each other to achieve their political ambitions, clashing political differences will however see their alliance head south.
Allegations that the former governor Amaechi left the state in rags and in empty treasury triggered Wike’s intent to start probe of the former governor.
Governor Nyesom Wike (left) and former governor Rotimi Amaechi (Right)
It was therefore not surprising when Wike set up a judicial commission of inquiry for the investigation of the former governor which began sitting yesterday, August 25 after court’s approval
Amaechi has however brandished Wike a liar for claiming he met an empty treasury stating emphatically he left a balance of between N8-N10 billion for his successor.
Lalong Vs Jang (Plateau state)
Whoever thought that Jonah Jang, 73, would escape the ramification of his alleged misuse of public funds having piloted the affairs of Plateau state for eight years should be having a re-think at the moment.
This follows the two weeks deadline given to the erstwhile governor to either return stolen funds or face prosecution.
The outcry of a group loyal to Governor Lalong in court alleging a N400 billion debt profile prompted almost immediately a statement from Jonah Jang’s administration owning up to a debt profile of N18 billion.
Former governor Jonah Jang (left) and Governor Simon Lalong (Right)
Governor Lalong however did not buy that as chairman of the Lalong/Tyoden Transition Committee alleged that Jang spent a total of N747.65bn in the eight years of his administration, leaving behind a debt of N222.3bn.
Of the two weeks deadline given to him to return stolen funds, Jang has just till the end of this week to either oblige or face the heat of Governor Simon Lalong.
Ortom Vs Suswam (Benue state)
In Benue state, nothing generated as much heat between erstwhile governor Gabriel Suswam and his successor, Samuel ortom as the amount of debt the former was said to be leaving for the latter.
Just before leaving the country on President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration ceremony Governor Suswam disclosed that his administration will be leaving a debt profile of N9.2bn behind for the present administration of Samuel Ortom.
This obviously left the state in tatters as arrears of unpaid salaries left Governor Ortom no other option than to go borrowing.
Governor Samuel Ortom (Right) and former governor Gabriel Suswam (left)
Samuel Ortom has however promised to review the administration of his immediate predecessor, Gabriel Suswam who was alleged to have siphoned N48 billion meant for local government funds.
Ortom revealed his intent to ask the outgoing government to make refunds of alleged looting of the state’s resources, if established.
Bello Vs Aliyu (Niger state)
Abubakar Sani Bello became the governor of the state against all barricades created by his predecessor Muazu Babaginda Aliyu.
Bello defeated the youngest governorship candidate at the general elections and Aliyu’s candidate Umar Mohammed Nasko.
Shortly after taking over the helms of affairs, Governor Bello asked for the immediate refund of the N2.9 billion, allegedly obtained illegally by the immediate past government on the eve of departure.
Former governor Muazu Babaginda Aliyu (left) and Governor Abubakar Sani Bello
According to reports, Aliyu left a debt of N57bn for his successor. This immediately prompted the Niger state House of Assembly directive to Governor Bello to probe how his predecessor the state’s resource when he held sway as governor for eight years.
Both parties are set for a collision course if the alleged looting of the state’s resources is established.
Ambode Vs Fashola (Lagos state)
There are strong indications of a brewing dispute between Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state and his predecessor, Babatunde Fashola.
This follows different reports about how the Ambode administration seems to have gone on a reversal spree, targeted at some of the policies of the Fashola’s government.
There have been various allegations levelled against the former governor which has triggered Ambode decision to gradually revoke the various approvals made by his predecessor.
Former governor Babatunde Fashola (left) and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state (Right)
The erstwhile governor has been on the hot seat as just only recently, BudgIT, an analytic firm disclosed that before Fashola left office, he approved a contract of N78.3 million from the state treasury for an upgrade of his personal website.
Days after that, Ambode revoked the concession contract to rebuild the popular Falomo Shopping Centre in Ikoyi by the Fashola’s government.
Following suit just after was the state government list of contracts of the immediate past administration published on the online portal of the Lagos state public procurement agency alleging massive fraud in the contracts.
Not leaving out the government reversing the alleged allocation of over 25 plots of land by Fashola to his relatives, friends and associates in high-brow Lekki.
In some camps, the frosty relationship existing between Fashola and Ambode is a plot by Tinubu to diminish Fashola.
It is also believed in these quarters that the various reformations going on in the state’s civil service now is targeted at some top civil servants who benefitted immensely from Fashola’s administration and who also played key role on how Fashola managed the resources of the state without interference from Tinubu throughout the years he governed.
Both Tinubu and Ambode stayed away from a book launch chronicling the tenure of Babatunde Fashola at the helm of affairs of Lagos state last week.
Fashola is perhaps experiencing the worst moments in his political career as his successor Ambode looks likely to inflict more ominous blows on him.
It was recently alleged that Governor Ambode ordered the removal of Fashola’s photo from the list and all of fame of former governors of the state.
Meanwhile, the race for 2019 presidential election has began sooner than anticipated as major actors are aligning their interests for the number one job ahead of the next general elections.
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