Early in the week, the political drama ravaging the country shifted to Lagos State, albeit momentatarily, when alleged moves to impeach Governor Babatunde Fashola came to the fore. Though nipped in the bud and dismissed as the handiwork of detractors and not masterminded by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Fashola's predecessor, our correspondent, Soji Oyinlola narrates what transpired and how Action Congress chieftains put a stop to the  ridicule.

Despite information making the rounds concerning the alleged friction between Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos State House of Assembly and former Governor Bola Tinubu, all the parties concerned have strongly debunked existence of such rancour, rather, they claimed it was the handiwork of the fifth columnist.

The serial denials notwithstanding, recent events unfolding on the political landscape points to the fact that something grievous is happening within the Lagos chapter of the Action Congress that made the advocate of the rumoured rancour to have a point to hang on.

The recent state broadcast by Fashola, obviously meant to douse growing apprehension among the people concerning the alleged festering rift, was taken by the people as a confirmation that all is not well between him and his political mentor.

The fact that the broadcast was made few days after the Assembly constituted a committee to probe allegation of corruption made by a group against Fashola, Tinubu and the House of Assembly made the argument more tenable.

Those espousing that belief saw the event as it unfolded beyond the ordinary.

They believe the advertisement where the allegations of corruption were made was sponsored by forces against Fashola, otherwise, they did not see the need for the urgency the House accorded it.

The fact that the House hurriedly set up a committee to probe the allegation further made the argument to gel.

The move obviously was seen as the beginning of impeachment plans against Fashola. Though the Assembly said its decision to investigate the allegation made in one of the dailies was not a sign to commence impeachment of the governor, rather, it was meant to prove that it is up and doing in its duties to Lagosians.

According to members, the fact that Fashola, Tinubu and members of the House were mentioned in a corrupt-related matter made it essential to investigate the matter. It is however, doubtful that people actually took the statement as the truth.

Rather than see the action of the lawmakers in line with what they postulated, people are moved further by other unfolding events.

They hinged their unfaltering belief that some people are out for Fashola's jugular on a recent publication by one of the national dailies, where it was written that Tinubu walked out of Fashola and Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos during a peace meeting at the Ita Idugran palace of the monarch.

Apart from the publication, what further drives home the apprehension people now entertain was the recent protest march by two groups under the aegis of Lover of Babatunde Fashola.

The group that pledged its support for Fashola staged a protest march to the Alausa seat of power.

The protesters, who carried all manners of banners, demanded that Fashola be left alone to concentrate on his duty as governor of Lagos State.

They praised him for his unwavering attention in serving the people of the state, assuring him of unwavering support for a second term.

The sequential of events as they continue to unfold no doubt embarrassed the perceived warriors, forcing them out of their cocoon to defend and clarify issues.

Apart from the joint press conference addressed by Bisi Akande, national chairman of the Action Congress, Governor Fashola and Asiwaju Tinubu, the state chapter of the party had lent its voice to the fact that all is well within the party.

Akande especially, was unequivocal in his words that all is well between Fashola and Tinubu.

His words,

"All is well between the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu."

Akande, who addressed reporters alongside Fashola and Tinubu at Bourdillon, Ikoyi, described Fashola as an anointed disciple of Tinubu. This is why Tinubu chose him to succeed him as governor in 2007, he said.

"Each time we hear of bad news or rumour in the media, we feel worried, and the more we deny the rumour that there is no feud between them, the more people make issues out of it," Akande said, adding:

"Why are we not happy that Lagos is doing well? Why are we not happy that there is no problem between them when in the last one month, both of them have denied constantly that there is no trouble, yet people continue to fuel problems?

"As a national chairman of the party, I am saying to you that the cordiality between Fashola and Tinubu remains as solid as it was in 2007. So you can see for yourself; pictures don't lie.

"I have said it many times over that it is possible for father and son to debate over issues and disagree. So it is possible for Fashola and Tinubu to disagree on items or issues of discussion. It does not make them enemies. Tinubu has been governor for eight years. He is the best chooser of leaders in Nigeria today; nobody has ever done it the way he did it."

Akande noted that former President Olusegun Obasanjo chose a successor and gave Nigeria trouble. "But Tinubu chose Fashola who gives us glory in Lagos . Will that stop them from arguing if they have to argue over any issue? Not that I know of any at this moment.

He explained that in the past few days when rumours of a crisis between them grabbed headlines in the dailies, both Tinubu and Fashola were working in the interest of the party.

He said: "On Thursday, when the publication came out, Tinubu, Fashola and I drove together in a rally. They moved to Abuja and I returned to Lagos . Yet, people perceived and some were demonstrating. It is better we allow peace to reign in Lagos ."

Tinubu on his part, assured Lagosians that all is well between him and Fashola.

He said: "In my eight years as the governor of Lagos , there were instances and several occasions where a lot of advertorials and allegations and accusations were published about me.

"I did not attribute it to any internal enemy. Even at a time, I had a very odd suggestion with some people. You will expect all of this in politics. What we need to do is to be mature and careful.

"You can have 100 per cent support in politics, but in my administration and our party principle, we must debate, in our Exco we had vibrant debate and criticised issues to arrive at the best solution in the interest of the state.

"I described the present government at the initial stage as the best man for the job. People expressed doubt about him. I was the man who created a slogan that Fashola is the best man for the job. I am still standing by that till tomorrow.

"But if I see certain things that might be wrong, I will not wait until he is down with bruises before picking him up."

While the assurance by Tinubu and Akande should be seen as soothing enough, the insistence by the Assembly to continue with the probe makes the issue more confusing.

Ordinarily, what is playing out within the Lagos chapter of the AC became noticeable last year during the presentation of 2010 appropriation bill by Gov. Fashola to the House of Assembly.

Speaker Adeyemi Kuforiji apparently rattled his audience at the presentation when he admonished Fashola to beware of praise singers. He cautioned against insinuation that only Lagos State is working, pointing out that the governors of Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and Gombe are also doing well.

The vituperation of the speaker attracted unconcealed condemnation from Lagosians. The situation became worsened when rumour started flying out that the House had an commenced impeachment move against Fashola.

They accused the leadership of AC led by Tinubu of fanning the ember of disunity between the two arms of government.

The situation abated after Tinubu visited Fashola at the Alausa secretariat, where they both assured Lagosians that there was no love lost between them. However, despite the assurance of a smooth relationship existing between the two political heavyweights, activities surrounding them further suggest that the  camaraderie between them may have caved in.

This much is manifested in some paid advertorials by some core Tinubu loyalists trying to bring ashore the continuous relevance of their principal that is presumed to be gradually giving way to Fashola's unprecedented performance cum acceptance by Lagosians.

If at all some of the sponsored advertorials from Tinubu's camp were not enough evidence to show that some of his loyalists are up in game with his successor, the recent advertorial by Dele Alake, former Information commissioner in Tinubu's administration put all that to rest.

He was direct in his assessment and comparisons of Tinubu's achievements vis a vis what is presently available. He made frenetic explanation on the difference between the periods when Tinubu and Fashola came to power. He practically submitted that Tinubu it was, who created the basics upon which fshola's achievement's were built.

Though people considered some of the write-ups as provocative enough to elicit response from Fashola's camp, nothing of such came fron  the Alausa seat of government, at best, whatever is being said remained as rumour.

The unfolding event no doubt throw up the question concerning a second term for Fashola, or who among the disciples of Tinubu would be made to fly the AC flag this time around.

Some party chieftains attempting to solve the riddle attributed what is happening to the issue of second term.

They posited that what is going on in Lagos State is normal in politics. It is not as if the alleged rift is that serious. You have all kinds of interest that make up the AC. Fashola has concentrated so much in delivering his electoral promises in such a manner that members of the party were made to take the back.

Though the party members attested to his achievements since he assumed office, it is not enough to guarantee him a second term ticket. "It definitely would involve a lot of horse trading. He can't just get the ticket like that," they chorused.