Intense lobbying and jostling have picked up among political
actors currently serving in different capacities at the federal and state
levels wanting to succeed the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola
(SAN), after the expiration of his tenure in 2015.
actors currently serving in different capacities at the federal and state
levels wanting to succeed the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola
(SAN), after the expiration of his tenure in 2015.
Prominent among the aspirants are
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Ganiyu
Solomon, representing Lagos West Senatorial District; Senator Gbenga Ashafa,
representing Lagos East Senatorial District; the Speaker of the state House of
Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; and ex-Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz
Banire.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Ganiyu
Solomon, representing Lagos West Senatorial District; Senator Gbenga Ashafa,
representing Lagos East Senatorial District; the Speaker of the state House of
Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; and ex-Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz
Banire.
Other aspirants interested in the job
include Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi
Gbajabiamila; Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives; former Governor
Bola Tinubu’s aide-de-camp, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal; and the immediate past
Accountant-General of the state, Mr. Akin Ambode.
include Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi
Gbajabiamila; Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives; former Governor
Bola Tinubu’s aide-de-camp, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal; and the immediate past
Accountant-General of the state, Mr. Akin Ambode.
Another possible replacement for
Fashola is the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeola Ipaye,
although he is said not to be interested in the core politics of the state.
Fashola is the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeola Ipaye,
although he is said not to be interested in the core politics of the state.
It was however gathered that the
governorship position might be zoned to the Lagos East Senatorial Zone, taking
into cognisance the fact that the serving governor comes from Lagos Central
while his predecessor is from Lagos West.
governorship position might be zoned to the Lagos East Senatorial Zone, taking
into cognisance the fact that the serving governor comes from Lagos Central
while his predecessor is from Lagos West.
If the governorship slot is
eventually zoned to Lagos East, as is being canvassed, the move will put paid
to the governorship ambitions of Hamzat (Lagos West), Gbajabiamila (Lagos
Central), Lawal (Lagos Central), Banire (Lagos West), and Solomon (Lagos West)
as possible contenders, leaving Ashafa, Ambode and Ikuforiji, who is currently
facing graft charges, in the race.
eventually zoned to Lagos East, as is being canvassed, the move will put paid
to the governorship ambitions of Hamzat (Lagos West), Gbajabiamila (Lagos
Central), Lawal (Lagos Central), Banire (Lagos West), and Solomon (Lagos West)
as possible contenders, leaving Ashafa, Ambode and Ikuforiji, who is currently
facing graft charges, in the race.
But in response to enquiries on
contenders for the race, the state’s Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria
(ACN), Mr. Oladele Ajomale, said the party’s leaders “are not talking about the
governorship election yet,” stating that the party was yet to deliberate on
such issue.”
contenders for the race, the state’s Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria
(ACN), Mr. Oladele Ajomale, said the party’s leaders “are not talking about the
governorship election yet,” stating that the party was yet to deliberate on
such issue.”
The chairman, however, expressed strong
opposition to the principle of zoning, noting that the principle “is a Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) formula and not ACN’s. We do not believe in such ideas.
We believe in picking the best.”
opposition to the principle of zoning, noting that the principle “is a Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) formula and not ACN’s. We do not believe in such ideas.
We believe in picking the best.”
He said the next governor of the
state could come from any part of the state, adding, “Our responsibility is to
get the best and only the best will be good for the state.
state could come from any part of the state, adding, “Our responsibility is to
get the best and only the best will be good for the state.
“Wherever the candidate comes from,
it does not matter. It is only those that can perform that will emerge
eventually.
it does not matter. It is only those that can perform that will emerge
eventually.
“It is not about zoning. Someone who
cannot perform cannot govern the state. The state is too discriminatory for
that. We always want the best. The only thing the state deserves is a quality
candidate.
cannot perform cannot govern the state. The state is too discriminatory for
that. We always want the best. The only thing the state deserves is a quality
candidate.
“We cannot choose someone who will
drag the party backwards. The next governor of the state must be someone who
will shatter the records of the incumbent governor.
drag the party backwards. The next governor of the state must be someone who
will shatter the records of the incumbent governor.
“When the time comes, the right
candidate will emerge. I have not seen anyone who is interested yet.”
On Somolon’s declaration to contest for the position, Ajomale explained that
all qualified candidates “have the right to say what he or she want. But I am
in the best position to tell the truth. The party is yet to decide who
will
be the next governor of the state. But when the time comes, we will do that.”
candidate will emerge. I have not seen anyone who is interested yet.”
On Somolon’s declaration to contest for the position, Ajomale explained that
all qualified candidates “have the right to say what he or she want. But I am
in the best position to tell the truth. The party is yet to decide who
will
be the next governor of the state. But when the time comes, we will do that.”
Source: Thisday
