The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified the pressure on National Leader Bola Tinubu to support Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s re-election again. Both leaders have been on edge at each other leading to Tinubu diverting his support to former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu.
However, following a meeting attended by President Muhammadu Buhari and some APC governors on Tuesday, a reconciliation may be in the works which may revive Ambode’s chances of a re-election. It is obvious with the reaction of all players that the fate of the Lagos state governorship election rests in the hands of Tinubu. At the mega rally for Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, APC’s aspirant in Saturday’s Osun State gubernatorial election the party’s leadership group reportedly pleaded with Tinubu to reconcile his grievances with Ambode and allow his return for a second term. Former governors of Osun and Ogun States, Chief Bisi Akande and Aremo Segun Osoba, were said to have initiated the plea. The national leader was said to promise to re-consider out of respect for the governors including Osun state incumbent Governor, Rauf Aregbesola on the condition that his political loyalists in Lagos, who already pronounced Ambode’s departure be consulted.
At the meeting with President Buhari and the APC governors, sources revealed that Kebbi State Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu also led the plea and prostrated for Tinubu, which led the national leader to burst out in tears and was also implored by President Buhari to give Ambode a second chance. As a result of all the pleading by the joint efforts of the governors and president, Tinubu was said to have called for a meeting of the Governors Advisory Council (GAC) to hold yesterday, which will finally determine Ambode’s fate.
Meanwhile, Babajide Sanwoolu denies that the above event ever took place and declares that he won’t back down. On the other hand, Jimi Agbaje who lost to Ambode in 2015 has declared his intention to run again under the PDP’s platform stating that the APC’s 20-year reign in Lagos must be put to an end, in his words; “the party must be shown the way out next year.”
____
Olatorera Consultancy Limited is a new-generation consulting company providing business development and consulting services to established companies and high net-worth individuals. Olatorera Consultancy provides critical and analytical services to companies under our radar to enable them innovate and serve their clients more effectively and efficiently using digital resources and modern strategies. Olatorera Consultancy provides the seal and stamp of Africa’s Best to enable great companies compete stronger on a global scale. Olatorera Consultancy publishes an annual list of “Africa’s Best 100 Companies” and “Africa’s Best 100 Leaders”.
