What’s up Between Ambode and Bosom Friend, Adeniji Kazeem?

What’s up Between Ambode and Bosom Friend, Adeniji Kazeem?

It is not for no reason that our parents cautioned us against friends who are like zebras with a duality of stripes that reflect the duplicity of their hearts. Did the former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode hear this counsel in his teens or did he remain headstrong despite it? At least he knows it now, thanks to the actions of his old pal, Adeniji Kazeem.

Media houses and newsrooms have begun to zero in on the dregs of the damaged friendship that used to exist between Ambode, and his former right-hand man, the former Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kazeem. With the return of the former Governor to the limelight as the APC’s Deputy Chairman of the South-west subcommittee of the Contact and Strategy Committee, all the empty spaces at his side that used to be occupied by his friends and retainers have become even more conspicuous.

Most folks would recall the semi-shock that accompanied the termination of Ambode’s gubernatorial ambition after he had served for only one term. To show that there was more to the issue than a simple turnaround of Lagosians’ support, Ambode lost during his party primaries and had nary a chance to compete on the big stage. Notwithstanding, a loss is bearable with friends and loved ones—except that some of those disappeared into thin air, blown away by the same winds that shredded his dreams of two terms.

Based on reports from insiders, Kazeem was one of those who were blown away (or hightailed under fairer and more favourable weather) during that horrendous episode in 2019. The conclusion to this effect, according to well-informed folks, is that Kazeem knew himself to be at risk of being forcefully untethered from the centre of Lagos state politics, and so speedily sought refuge under the same canopies that thrust Ambode out of power and pertinence.

To make matters worse, the ambitions of Kazeem have not seen the light of day while under the new canopy, similar to how Ambode resided in obscurity for almost two years. Now that Ambode is out again, folks are looking to see the next course of action. Will there be episodes of confrontation as is characteristic of politicians, or will Ambode and Kazeem continue to pretend as if the other does not exist? Time will tell.

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