2023: PDP Mulls Ambode, Sanwo-Olu Showdown

By James Orji

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Lagos state says its doors are wide open to a former Governor of Lagos state, Akinwumi Amode if he wishes to contest next year’s  governorship election  under its banner.

Last week, the incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu dislosed that he is considering running for another four years in office.

When asked whether he is prepared to throw his hat in the ring for a second term, Sanwo-Olu  said “I will ask, I will consult. Citizens, how do you see it? These are some of the things; that’s how you get it down. Try and finish very strong. You know when it is time for us to do all the politicking we will do it.

“I think we are doing a very good job if I dare say so. I think the citizens know what it is they will be missing if they don’t let us continue to wrap up all the things we are doing.”

The development  comes on the back of suggestions that the former governor may be planning to return to active poltics after following his disgraceful exit from office three years ago. Ambode, we recall was denied the APC governorship ticket by powerful forces in the state, even though he was entitled to second term as the sitting governor at the time.

But after more than two months in political wilderness, the former Lagos helmsman who has refused to speak since he left office, broke the silence on Tuesday, thus raising posers on whether he is intending to run for a political  office next year.

Posting on his face book page  the former governor had urged the youths to go a get their PVCs in preparation  for next year’s  general election.

“After all we have been through, God has been faithful. Thank you for the overwhelming endorsement of our modest contributions to the growth of Lagos. It can only get better for Lagos, and indeed Nigeria. The youths are coming. The power is in their hands. Go and get your Permanent Voters Card (PVC) ready. Your future is NOW!” Ambode said.

According to keen watchers of the state’s  politics, the former governor is positioning himself to run for the Senate.  Others who are  close to himy also informed the magazine that he may be eyeing the Alausa Government House again.

The PDP may be ready to offer him its platform to run for any elective office,  chieftain of the party, Ganiu Taofik said, as long as he  can abide by the rules.

Taofik  a former Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state in an interview with The Punch said the former governor has the opportunity  to become the state governor under the PDP next year.

According  to him, “the PDP is a political party, the gate is widely open; you can come in and come out as long as you abide by the regulations of the party, especially when you are seen as an asset, you will definitely be a beautiful bride.

“Anybody can join the party and we are ready to allow as many as possible to try their popularity using our platform.”

He said Ambode has a brighter chance in the party “having been a governor of the state. He sure would have people who love him and of course, people whom he may have stepped on their toes as well,” adding that the party will keep its door opened for any aspirant  who wished to run under its platform. We are making the party a platform that anybody wants to join going into 2023,” Taofik said.

Taofik however stated that the party has not reached  out to the former governor. “Officially, not to my knowledge but I know that for somebody like a former governor, there is no doubt that a serious political party would have reached out to such a person but I don’t have an official report on whether he has been reached,” he said.

Meanwhile,  sources Lagos APC informed the magazine that some powerful elements in the party are contemplating  dropping Governor Sanwo-Olu for next year’s  governorship  contest. In his place, it was learnt Muri Okunola, the state Head of Service, HoS has been pencilled down to run for governor under the party.