Temidayo Akinsuyi

LAGOS- Ahead of the 2023 general elec­tions, major stakeholders in the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have kicked against the ru­moured governorship ambition of Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the House of Representatives, and Obafemi Hamzat, the state’s deputy governor, Daily Indepen­dent has gathered.

Others seeking to replace the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in 2023, according to findings by Daily Independent, are Tokunbo Abiru, senator representing Lagos East and Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Head of Service in Lagos.

Daily Independent gath­ered that the leaders have told those nursing the ambi­tion of replacing Sanwo-Olu in 2023 to perish the thought as there is no vacancy in Government House.

While Sanwo-Olu will naturally desire a second term as enshrined by the constitution, there is, how­ever, a caveat as a source in­formed Daily Independent that there was an unwritten agreement that Sanwo-Olu who is a Christian, will only serve one term in order to complete the four-year term which former governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, be­gan in 2015.

He added that by the time Sanwo-Olu completes his tenure in 2023, the two terms allocated for a gov­ernor of Christian denom­ination would have been completed, while a Muslim candidate will continue from there.

While many dismissed the argument as unfound­ed as no one could ascertain if such agreement exists, Pastor Sam Ogedengbe, a former Senior Special As­sistant to the Lagos State Governor on Christian Re­ligion, few weeks ago, said that a Muslim will succeed Sanwo-Olu in 2023.

Ogedengbe, who is the National President of the All Christian Leaders and Min­isters Forum, said he was one of those who clamoured for a Christian governor after the end of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s tenure, which later brought about the emergence of ex-Gov­ernor Akinwunmi Ambode and Governor Sanwo-Olu.

He said without being economical with the truth, he and other Christian min­isters and leaders would not be ingrates, but would take the necessary line of action by supporting a Mus­lim governor.

“We Christian leaders and ministers hail admin­istrations in the state since 1999, but we will insist that Sanwo-Olu’s successor should be a Muslim in the interest of justice and eq­uity,” Ogedengbe had said.

Findings also revealed that Sanwo-Olu’s perfor­mance has endeared him to party elders in the state who removed Ambode and en­sured his emergence in 2019. They are thus canvassing a second term ticket for him.

Our source, a key mem­ber of the defunct Mandate Movement in Lagos APC who does not want his name in print, however, said just like the last minute political maneuverings that threw up former Governor Babajide Fashola, in 2007, Ambode in 2015 and Sanwo-Olu in 2019, a shocker may await those already indicating interest in the number one office in Lagos in 2023.

According to him, Gba­jabiamila’s reason for wanting to be governor in 2023 was that even if APC returns as the ruling party, the zoning equation may not favour his return as speaker of the House of Representatives as the po­sition may not be zoned to the South-West.

The other option for Gba­jabiamila is to go to the Sen­ate through Lagos Central Senatorial District but the position is currently being occupied by Senator Olure­mi Tinubu, who may want to extend her reign as the longest serving senator in Lagos State history.

He said the desire to be governor and test his popularity was why Gba­jabiamila took active part in the just concluded local government primaries.

On the case of Hamzat, our source said the depu­ty governor who believes that he would be the favou­rite to succeed Sanwo-Olu if the one-term agreement was implemented had been seriously involved in poli­ticking as evidenced in the just concluded local gov­ernment primaries of the party where some of his loyalists emerged as chair­manship aspirants.

He also added that the like­lihood that Sanwo-Olu would be returned for another term is very high as “he has tacti­cally avoided some of the pitfalls of Fashola and Am­bode by facing governance squarely and allowing those who saw to his emergence as governor to run the political affairs of the state.

“Yes, nothing stops those you have mentioned to as­pire to become governor. They have constitutional rights to do so. But one thing is certain, if the par­ty leaders in Lagos led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu didn’t endorse you, then you are just wasting your time.

“People should learn from Fashola and Ambode’s experience. In 2011, it was some of these party elders that stood up for Fashola when Asiwaju decided he won’t get a second term. Asiwaju bowed to them and later endorsed Fashola. For taking sides with Fashola, a popular senator was even denied the opportunity of returning to the Senate.

“In 2015, it was these par­ty leaders who chose Am­bode among top politicians in APC and worked for him to emerge as governor. In 2019, it was these same el­ders who rejected him and brought Sanwo-Olu as his replacement. I don’t think the scenario would change in 2023,” he said.

Our source also said, “Why I said the odds favour Sanwo-Olu is that he has had no issues with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the party elders since assuming of­fice. Many people said he is weak politically and he has no single structure but I tell you that it is this weakness that will be his advantage.

“Tinubu can sleep soundly with his two eyes closed in Bourdillon with Sanwo-Olu in charge of Alausa Government House. I doubt if that can be said about others.”

An aide of Sanwo-Olu who played a key role in his emergence in 2019 said the governor is ready to abide by any decision taken by the party leaders.

“I can’t speak for him but I know he will abide by any decision taken by the party leaders. For now, he is only focused on delivering his electioneering promises to Lagosians.”

When contacted, Seye Oladejo, the APC’s Public­ity Secretary, said the par­ty’s effort now is geared towards the forthcoming local government elections and not 2023.

He said, “Not to the best of my knowledge. All present efforts are geared towards the forthcoming lo­cal government elections.”

Also speaking on wheth­er there is a one-term agree­ment, Oladejo said, “I know the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic (as amended) allows for two terms.”

However, speaking with our correspondent, Mat­thew Akinlose, a public affairs analyst, said there is nothing like a one-term Christian agreement in La­gos politics.

“If truly they said Am­bode performed badly and they wanted his replace­ment, justice demands that they replace him with a Christian from Lagos East where he (Ambode) hailed from. Why did they settle for Sanwo-Olu from Lagos Central? I don’t think that argument of a Christian or Muslim governor holds wa­ter in a cosmopolitan city like Lagos,” he said.

https://independent.ng/2023-no-vacancy-in-lagos-govt-house-apc-leaders-tell-gbajabiamila-hamzat-others/

Over 20 million Lagosians should determine who governs them, not few party elders

While Sanwo-Olu will naturally desire a second term as enshrined by the constitution, there is, how­ever, a caveat as a source in­formed Daily Independent that there was an unwritten agreement that Sanwo-Olu who is a Christian, will only serve one term in order to complete the four-year term which former governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, be­gan in 2015.

He added that by the time Sanwo-Olu completes his tenure in 2023, the two terms allocated for a gov­ernor of Christian denom­ination would have been completed, while a Muslim candidate will continue from there.

Dem don come with religion wahala.

Love the fact Sanwo olu is concentrating strictly on governance.. that is strategy on it's own, he wins the hearts of non-lagosians without being a front faced enemy to any cabal.

That is strategy..

Why are they all Muslims?

Only Tinubu the Jagaban Borgu can say whether there is vacancy or not. Anyone that is not happy with that should carry his nylon bag and return to his village. Also remember to call your state governors at the guest houses they are hiding with their mistresses in Lagos as they spend more days in Lagos than in your useless States that they are governing.

Its turn of Muslims and they control Lagos politics

RichBoy247:
Why are they all Muslims?

Only Tinubu the Jagaban Borgu can say whether there is vacancy or not. Anyone that is not happy with that should carry his nylon bag and return to his village. Also remember to call your state governors at the guest houses they are hiding with their mistresses in Lagos as they spend more days in Lagos than in your useless States that they are governing.

RichBoy247:
Why are they all Muslims?

Only Tinubu the Jagaban Borgu can say whether there is vacancy or not. Anyone that is not happy with that should carry his nylon bag and return to his village. Also remember to call your state governors at the guest houses they are hiding with their mistresses in Lagos as they spend more days in Lagos than in your useless States that they are governing.

Oponu, and you think anyone even the jagaban of borgu will live forever?

Watch and see.....

Esseite:
Love the fact Sanwo olu is concentrating strictly on governance.. that is strategy on it's own, he wins the hearts of non-lagosians without being a front faced enemy to any cabal.

That is strategy..

I'm still thinking the governance he is concentrating on because his projects are just scanty all over Lagos including the ones he completed for ambode. During ambode time we have been giving 2 flyovers and a lot of roads during the first 2 years. ... Sanwo now play boy.... Gbaja should just bury that dream of being a Governor...

You said it yourself 'including the ones he completed for Ambode'. How can you have time for your project when you are completing your predecessor's projects?

obinoral1179:
I'm still thinking the governance he is concentrating on because his projects are just scanty all over Lagos including the ones he completed for ambode. During ambode time we have been giving 2 flyovers and a lot of roads during the first 2 years. ... Sanwo now play boy.... Gbaja should just bury that dream of being a Governor...

Muslims have had 16 years (Tinubu and Fashola) while Christians 8 years ( Ambode and Sanwoolu). Lagosians obviously have no say in who governs them meaning that the state is far from progressive. The governor of Lagos is chosen by a few. What an oligarchy!

CAN started this nonsense of xtian Governor and now Muslims are demanding same. Sanwo is performing against the expectation of the born Wailers. Pls let him continue. Senator Abiru can wait till 2027. Gbaja can stay in Abuja like Dogara. Tinubu I trust though but those GAC members are the ultimate decider.

nairavsdollars:
You said it yourself 'including the ones he completed for Ambode'. How can you have time for your project when you are completing your predecessor's projects?

They have problem forging coherent thoughts.

ccffwx:
Muslims have had 16 years (Tinubu and Fashola) while Christians 8 years ( Ambode and Sanwoolu). Lagosians obviously have no say in who governs them meaning that the state is far from progressive. The governor of Lagos is chosen by a few. What an oligarchy!

The party leaders decide flag bearers, the voters have always decide who occupy Alausa

obinoral1179:
I'm still thinking the governance he is concentrating on because his projects are just scanty all over Lagos including the ones he completed for ambode. During ambode time we have been giving 2 flyovers and a lot of roads during the first 2 years. ... Sanwo now play boy.... Gbaja should just bury that dream of being a Governor...

Well, Ambode built his structure on Governance aswell using infrastructure and not through political leaders thereby having large funds to play with, while garnering diverse support of both indigenes and non-indigenes ... which is why the cabal never allowed him get to the Governorship election either through decamping or anymeans, if he did, he may have won.

Gbaja has a lot of financial baggage and may not have the appeal of non-indigenes due to the House of reps being at its lowest ebb.

“Yes, nothing stops those you have mentioned to as­pire to become governor. They have constitutional rights to do so.

But one thing is certain, if the par­ty leaders in Lagos led by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu didn’t endorse you, then you are just wasting your time. People should learn from Fashola and Ambode’s experience.

Of course it is an open secret.People votes dont count but endorsement by some selected few.Oba awon democrat and the oligarchy gang determining who get what in a participatory democracy.

Trashy reportage. Sanwolu is completing 8yrs

afroniger:


Dem don come with religion wahala.

I don't believe that crap, especially when it comes to lag, the media just spreading lies

Esseite:
Love the fact Sanwo olu is concentrating strictly on governance.. that is strategy on it's own, he wins the hearts of non-lagosians without being a front faced enemy to any cabal.

That is strategy..

Well his governance has been nothing to write about if not for some things he launched in the last 20 days ....

I score him low in security

I score him low in sanitation

I score him low in vision

I score him well in Grassroot healthcare

I score him well in grass root education

I like the new Fire fighting unit in Epe

He has done well with some road work in VI but should try and fix the Oniru Bypass please

FarahAideed:


Well his governance has been nothing to write about if not for some things he launched in the last 20 days ....

I score him low in security

I score him low in sanitation

I score him low in vision

I score him well in Grassroot healthcare

I score him well in grass root education

I like the new Fire fighting unit in Epe

He has done well with some road work in VI but should try and fix the Oniru Bypass please

The country generally is low on security, I think he has tried handling such a diverse state with various ethnic groups while being most secured than most states.

Sanitation... he cant go the vision scape route like Ambode did while being sabotaged by lawma.

Vision... Ambode exposed the wealth of Lagos and its capability by going opposite with its political leaders, dont think sanwo olu has the energy for that.

With the way he has started winning the hearts of non-indigenes and political boost of Southern Governors unity united by herdsmen menace which has sealed the faith of opposition in Lagos, he might be too powerful for a second term to the cabals.

Yoruba christains have suffered...

Was it not Tinubu a Yoruba Muslim that handed over to Fashola another Yoruba Muslim...
Did anything kick against it...

Now that Ambode handed over to Sanwo olu.. they're calculating eight years for christains...

Chai... Yoruba christains ronu

Ambode handed over to who

zombieHUNTER:
Yoruba christains have suffered...

Was it not Tinubu a Yoruba Muslim that handed over to Fashola another Yoruba Muslim...
Did anything kick against it...

Now that Ambode handed over to Sanwo olu.. they're calculating eight years for christains...

Chai... Yoruba christains ronu

Interesting, they have indirectly retained a second term slot for Jide.

Tor!

Happy one Nigeria

Lagos needs a Governor with balls to decongest Lagos. Put them in a bus back to their states, they can cry for all we care.

- erase the dot

Must everything be religion and tribe.. Nansense