http://www.osundefender.org/?p=100480

Fashola Backs Hamzat To Succeed Him As Opposition Mounts
Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, is following the footsteps of his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by endorsing a member of his (Fashola’s) cabinet to succeed him.

Thegazellenews.com learnt exclusively that Fashola has put his weight behind the current Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in the state, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, to succeed him as the next governor of the state.

Just like Tinubu, Fashola was reported to have informed members of his kitchen cabinet of his decision.

His choice was reportedly borne out of the desire to have someone who understands the workings of the state to succeed him.

Hamzat was state Commissioner for Science and Technology for six years under Tinubu while he has been commissioner in the state since the advent of the Fashola administration.

He was in charge of Ministry of Science and Technology in Fashola’s first term and currently in charge of Works and Infrastructure ministry.

He is the third son of His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Olatunji Hamzat, Olu of Afowowa but also the Lagos West Senatorial Disrict leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Some members of Fashola’s cabinet have started working for the Hamzat. One of them, according to report is the state Commissioner for Rural Development, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.. Ojelabi, a former member of the House of Representatives was also one time chairman of Ojo Local Government and Otto-Awori Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

However, there are difficulties in the way for Fashola’s annointed candidate. In the first instance, the national leader of the ACN, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly insisted that all governorship aspirants on the platform of the party will be given level playing ground to prove themselves in an openly conducted primary.

And in this instance, Hamzat is not seen as being a match for politicians like Senate Minority Whip, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon; former state Commissioner for Environment, Dr Muiz Banire and probably Senator Gbenga Ashafa who are experienced in grassroots politicking and are adept at mobilising people.

Solomon in particular is well noted for his grassroots connection and his popularity cuts across all sections of the society spread across the nook and cranny of the state.

Hamzat may also not be helped by alleged zoning of the party’s governorship ticket to the Lagos East senatorial district as his political base is in Mushin in the Lagos West.

Politicians are also quick to point to the fact that the Hamzat family has been enjoying juicy political patronage since the advent of the present democracy in the state. The patriach of the family has been a one time national vice chairman of then Alliance for Democracy (AD).

Now he is the Lagos West leader. Obafemi himself has been a commissioner in the state for the past 13 years and by the end of the Fashola administration he would have spent 15 years as a commissioner in the state.

Added to this is the fact that his elder brother and the older Hamzat’s eldest child and first son, Ganiyu, has been in the House of Representatives since 2003 representing Mushin Federal Constituency 2 and not to be forgotten was the older Hamzat’s second son, Bosun, who died three years ago, was a senior special assistant to both Tinubu and Fashola.

Finally, the question is can Fashola commits the kind of resources and energy to Hamzat governorship project as Tinubu did for him in the 2007 election? Your guess is as good as mine.

Sources within the party have told thegazellenews that majority of party members may not be favourably disposed towards Fashola’s choice not because Hamzat is not capable and suitable but because they are desirous of a change in the method of choosing the party’s candidates particularly the governorship ticket.

“We are determine to ensrue a level playing ground for all aspirants and we want them to show their popularity with members of the party and thank God our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has acknowledged this fact,” a prominent member of the party told our correspondent.

For now the die is cast as Lagosians await mother of all governorship battle in the ruling party in the state.

The Commercial capital of democratic south should not be the exclusive property of Muslim Politicians!

Fashola we are watching

If you are backing a Muslim we will question whether no christain is qualified

Bola Tinubu - Muslim
Fashola - Muslim
Hamzat - Muslim

^^^^Who cares if the governor is Muslim, Hindu, Pagan, or whatnot?

As long as the person is indigenous to the state, Lagosians will support him/her.

You lot need to take your religious bs away from Lagos; most people from there have Muslims, Christians, and Traditionalists in their families.

You folks continue to engage in a lost cause. Religion is not a factor in SW politics and no matter how hard you try to turn it to a willing tool of division, failure is rest assured for such effort.

The key factors are qualification, past record and potential for performance. How does religion enhance or impede performance in office? Take your religion nonsense away.

I think the people of Lagos will ask why only Muslims seems to emerge Governors in Lagos?

2015 will be a year of change

There are Christains qualified to run the affairs of Lagos too!

Thought 'lagos' was a 'Pagan State'?

I think the people creating the division are the people creating this pattern of only muslim governors emerging!

krendo: I think the people of Lagos will ask why only Muslims seems to emerge Governors in Lagos?

2015 will be a year of change

There are Christains qualified to run the affairs of Lagos too!

Who are these "people of Lagos?"

Perhaps, if you've done a thorough research about the people from Lagos and not continue to dwell in your own stupidity - you would have noticed that most of the people from Lagos are Muslims. A lot of them converted to Christianity, but most still have tons of Muslims in their families.

Why can't you take your searchlight to your state of origin and leave Lagos alone?

Why must everything be about tribe or religion. If an atheist can deliver who cares? Honestly mr krendo you have to change your thinking oo, you can't afford to raise your kids like this. No offense

shymexx:

Who are these "people of Lagos?"

Perhaps, if you've done a thorough research about the people from Lagos and not continue to dwell in your own stupidity - you would have noticed that most of the people from Lagos are Muslims. A lot of them converted to Christianity, but most still have tons of Muslims in their family.

Why can't you take your searchlight to your state of origin and leave Lagos alone?

you can abuse me all you like but in 2015 the people of Lagos will question why only a certain religion produce the Governors in Lagos. It is a legitimate political question to ask. There is no need being abusive about it.

If Tinubu and Fashola are so open minded and Lagos is so United then they should have a process that allows all no matter there religion to have a chance. It is called equal opportunity.

Fashola was Attorney General to Tinubu, now Hamzat is Works commissioner to Fashola. There is nothing similar about these people in terms of career path. The reason for this pattern is nothing but their religion.

These are the fact!

If Religion does not matter then lets see Fashola and Tinubu back someone from the other side.

There is no need being nepotic and then turn around to accuse others of nepotism when they call you out on it.

Lagos will vote in 2015!

^^^^Your opinions are irrelevant. Call it nepotism or whatever term that suits your deflated ego, that's how the country is structured and that's how every sovereign country created by indigenous people is. Indigenous people must be respected at all times!

However, you need to stop the fixation on Lagos and take your bs to your state of origin. Yoruba Muslims and Christians don't care about religion, or no backward mental-slavery inducing foreign ideologies. Muslims, or Christian - they don't care, as long as it's the right candidate who will effect the required change.

Take that religious bs to Nigeria - Lagos is Lagos, a different entity from Nigeria a la Ni.gger-area.

I think the OP is asking a good question

With this evidence we are all in trouble if Tinubu and Fashola take over control of the Presidency

A Yorubaman is a yoruba first before any other thing. Those okrika imported religion carry no weight in our region .get that in your head.Bringing it up won't make you friends either

krendo:

you can abuse me all you like but in 2015 the people of Lagos will question why only a certain religion produce the Governors in Lagos. It is a legitimate political question to ask. There is no need being abusive about it.

If Tinubu and Fashola are so open minded and Lagos is so United then they should have a process that allows all no matter there religion to have a chance. It is called equal opportunity.

Fashola was Attorney General to Tinubu, now Hamzat is Works commissioner to Fashola. There is nothing similar about these people in terms of career path. The reason for this pattern is nothing but their religion.

These are the fact!

If Religion does not matter then lets see Fashola and Tinubu back someone from the other side.

There is no need being nepotic and then turn around to accuse others of nepotism when they call you out on it.

Lagos will vote in 2015!

The problem with people like you is pure ignorance, nothing more.

Krendo, Fasola did not serve as Attorney General to Tinubu, he was Chief of Staff. How can religion be a deciding factor for Tinubu and Fasola when both of them have christian wives? If these individuals do not see religion as personal relationship with the Almighty, would they have married from other faiths? So Fasola and Tinubu are against Christianity? Is that your argument? Start your campaign by asking their wives to divorce them.

Lagos has produced a christian governor (democratically elected), a fine Epe Man called Chief Michael Otedola from NRC in early 90s.

Religion is the least of our worries in SW.

For some regions, religion is a dominant theme in voting, infact not only religion, bt denomination.

Catholic, Anglican, methodist e.t.c SMH.

krendo: I think the people of Lagos will ask why only Muslims seems to emerge Governors in Lagos?

2015 will be a year of change

There are Christains qualified to run the affairs of Lagos too!

How is it your headache? are the real Lagosians complaining?! Funny how you these immigrants leave your various villages for better life in SW and still pokenose on matters bigger than you. You people better be worried about the problems in you guys thick villages.

If that's the case, when is an abdul... Or an alhaji going to govern any eatsern state?

What has religion got to do with performance? Is it islam or christianity that will build bridges, provide drinking water, ferry services, etc?

By the way, Lagos has had christian governors in the past: Sir Michael Otedola, Mike Akhigbe, Olagunsoye Oyinlola (the worst governor in the history of Lagos), Ndubuisi Kanu, etc.

McKren: I think the OP is asking a good question

With this evidence we are all in trouble if Tinubu and Fashola take over control of the Presidency

...and the OP's handle is "KRENdo" while yours just happens to be "mcKREN" abi? Be there responding to yourself with your multiple IDs. Make Seun catch you you go know how far

naptu2: What has religion got to do with performance? Is it islam or christianity that will build bridges, provide drinking water, ferry services, etc?

By the way, Lagos has had christian governors in the past: Sir Michael Otedola, Mike Akhigbe, Olagunsoye Oyinlola (the worst governor in the history of Lagos), Ndubuisi Kanu, etc.

You're minding those ignorant buffoons. That same Oyinlola should be the worst governor of the state of the living spring, heard he took N18billion to build 6stadiums. Imagine a state with 6stadiums, So brainless and ret@rded. What did the mumu gbenga Daniel of Ogun state did? they are all christians and all dumb. Mimiko is also a christian but he's doing fine. I wonder what Orji of Abia and Kelechi of Ebonyi have done for these dolts to still have them as governors, are they not christians? My point is the right person should be in control. FYI I'm a christian.

krendo:

you can abuse me all you like but in 2015 the people of Lagos will question why only a certain religion produce the Governors in Lagos. It is a legitimate political question to ask. There is no need being abusive about it.

If Tinubu and Fashola are so open minded and Lagos is so United then they should have a process that allows all no matter there religion to have a chance. It is called equal opportunity.

Fashola was Attorney General to Tinubu, now Hamzat is Works commissioner to Fashola. There is nothing similar about these people in terms of career path. The reason for this pattern is nothing but their religion.

These are the fact!

If Religion does not matter then lets see Fashola and Tinubu back someone from the other side.

There is no need being nepotic and then turn around to accuse others of nepotism when they call you out on it.

Lagos will vote in 2015!

My friend you are just chasing shadows! Religion has never and will never be a factor to consider in Lagos politics. All we are interested in is someone who will deliver on political promises made. It may interest you to know that both Fashola and Tinubu are married to practicing Christian women and have had absolutely no issues with the Christian population in Lagos. Do yourself a favour and lose this bias.

Prof Corruption:

The problem with people like you is pure ignorance, nothing more.

Krendo, Fasola did not serve as Attorney General to Tinubu, he was Chief of Staff. How can religion be a deciding factor for Tinubu and Fasola when both of them have christian wives? If these individuals do not see religion as personal relationship with the Almighty, would they have married from other faiths? So Fasola and Tinubu are against Christianity? Is that your argument? Start your campaign by asking their wives to divorce them.

Lagos has produced a christian governor (democratically elected), a fine Epe Man called Chief Michael Otedola from NRC in early 90s.

Religion is the least of our worries in SW.

Thank you sir for lecturing the doofoos.

shymexx:

Who are these "people of Lagos?"

Perhaps, if you've done a thorough research about the people from Lagos and not continue to dwell in your own stupidity - you would have noticed that most of the people from Lagos are Muslims. A lot of them converted to Christianity, but most still have tons of Muslims in their families.

Why can't you take your searchlight to your state of origin and leave Lagos alone?

You are very correct! Not just in Lagos, but in larger swath of SW. Christianity came in only couple of centuries ago very long after Islam, in actual fact, nobody is sure of how long islam has been in SW, but very very long before Uthman dan Fodio's jihad.

emiye: For some regions, religion is a dominant theme in voting, infact not only religion, bt denomination.

Catholic, Anglican, methodist e.t.c SMH.

my brother, this is very pathetic. I am so ashamed for my SE/SS kinsmen that never see beyond the vile vail of religion and ethnicity. all men beyond their religion doctrine and tribe is condemned by default, yet are quick to accuse others of same crime.

Yesterday the Hausa-Fulani muslims were the extremist, today it is the we SE/SS christians.

The first thing you should have ask is, why is SW not in a state of anarchy?

We are not muslim or Christian alone, we are yoruba (omoluabi)

Reptyle:

...and the OP's handle is "KRENdo" while yours just happens to be "mcKREN" abi? Be there responding to yourself with your multiple IDs. Make Seun catch you you go know how far

Ahahaaha
Ol boy, you sharp o, thought I was the onlyone that noticed
Some people are naturally dumb sha!

Eko Atlantic:

You're minding those ignorant buffoons. That same Oyinlola should be the worst governor of the state of the living spring, heard he took N18billion to build 6stadiums. Imagine a state with 6stadiums, So brainless and ret@rded. What did the mumu gbenga Daniel of Ogun state did? they are all christians and all dumb. Mimiko is also a christian but he's doing fine. I wonder what Orji of Abia and Kelechi of Ebonyi have done for these dolts to still have them as governors, are they not christians? My point is the right person should be in control. FYI I'm a christian.

Mimiko is a Muslim, his wife a practising xtian and ondo state is 99.9 % Christian .the idiot agagu was a xtian and ranks with bode George as the worst governors in the history of the state.
Sorry , we just see thing differently or should I say one of the most culturally advanced and spiritually emancipated people on the planet.even more than the American ,Europeans etc.
Even on an empty stomach, a Yoruba man will not lash out over religion.but European, Arabs and Asians lash out all the time even on a full stomach

homerac7:
You are very correct! Not just in Lagos, but in larger swath of SW. Christianity came in only couple of centuries ago very long after Islam, in actual fact, nobody is sure of how long islam has been in SW, but very very long before Uthman dan Fodio's jihad.

That's what most of them don't know. Islam was prominent amongst Yoruba's way before Christianity and Uthman Dan Fodio. And a lot of Yoruba Muslim scholars schooled In Timbuktu under the tutelage of Baba Ahmed, when Songhai reigned supreme in West Africa.

Any group of people that hides under the veil of ethnicity and religion to chose their leaders instead of competence are doomed!
Religion or tribe is inconsequential so far, the development that people wants to see is apparent!
I'd rather make sheik makthoum, the sheik of Dubai the president of Nigeria, if he will make Nigeria like Dubai (FYI, many of our brothers, especially from the east are there hustling and they are not complaining about the religion), rather than Good luck Jonathan whose destiny is to make Nigeria , another somalia

My point is this: religion and ethnicity does not matter, in as much as the development we crave is there for all to see !

krendo: I think the people of Lagos will ask why only Muslims seems to emerge Governors in Lagos?

2015 will be a year of change

There are Christains qualified to run the affairs of Lagos too!

I am a Lagosian and I am not asking that silly question. We don't care whether you are Christian or Muslim. All we care about is good governance. Leave Lagos and go back to your SS/SE where ethinic and religious bigotry cloud your thinking. Din din rin jati jati!

na2day!:
Any group of people that hides under the veil of ethnicity and religion to chose their leaders instead of competence are doomed!
Religion or tribe is inconsequential so far, the development that people wants to see is apparent!
I'd rather make sheik makthoum, the sheik of Dubai the president of Nigeria, if he will make Nigeria like Dubai (FYI, many of our brothers, especially from the east are there hustling and they are not complaining about the religion there), rather than Good luck Jonathan whose destiny is to make Nigeria , another somalia

My point is this: religion does not matter, in as much as the development we crave is there for all to see !

God bless you sir!

shymexx:

That's what most of them don't know. Islam was prominent amongst Yoruba's way before Christianity and Uthman Dan Fodio. And a lot of Yoruba Muslim scholars schooled In Timbuktu under the tutelage of Baba Ahmed, when Songhai reigned supreme in West Africa.

I am sure that if you ask them, they will swear that Christianity was in SW before islam.

One of my very learned uncle unfortunately had this thought until i corrected him and asked him to check up the records. He was shocked and that changed a lot of things about his opinion. Today he is a researcher in Islamic/Arabic influence in Nigeria polity and culture in a foreign institution.

homerac7:
I am sure that if you ask them, they will swear that Christianity was in SW before islam.

One of my very learned uncle unfortunately had this thought until i corrected him and asked him to check up the records. He was shocked and that changed a lot of things about his opinion. Today he is a researcher in Islamic/Arabic influence in Nigeria polity and culture in a foreign institution.

Honestly, if not for the Arabs and the Salifism ideology that destroyed Islam... and probably the way they revere the asteroid(black stone) in kaaba... Islam is arguably a more balanced religion than Christianity...

Yoruba Muslims were also the ones behind the slave revolt in Brazil during slavery, hence why the revolt was called; Imale Revolt. That shows how long Islam has been in the SW.