Dele Alake Distances Self From Lagos East Senatorial Bye Election; As APC Debunks Claim Of Anointed Candidate |The Source

By Akinwale Kasali

Few weeks after the death of Senator  Sikiru Bayo Oshiniwo, Popularly known as Pepperito, there have been series of permutations from different quarters, with different names being mentioned as possible replacement for him at the Senate.

First was Tola Kasali, the longest serving Commissioner in the history of Lagos, who served under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for two terms and Babatunde Raji Fashola for another two terms, before throwing the hat into the ring for the Governorship Race, but was shoved aside with former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode getting the nod.

Ambode, former Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Kaoli Asipa Olusanya, Otunba Ganiu Abiru, Jimi Benson, Primate Charles Odugbesi, Babatunde Olalere Gbadamosi are eyeing the Senatorial Seat to represent Lagos East.

Former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Dele Alake is also alleged to be gunning for the seat, but Alake says: Perish the thought, dismissing it as a lie from the pit the pit of hell.

Corroborating Alake, the Lagos State All Progressives Congress, APC, in a statement said its attention has been drawn to the various speculations as regards the emergence of a candidate for the yet to be scheduled Lagos East Senatorial by-election.

The State APC said it will like to state emphatically that the process of selecting a candidate is yet to commence for a number of reasons.

The Party is still mourning the demise of Senator Sikiru Adebayo Oshinowo, as it is yet to come to terms with the reality of his exit.

“The death of Oshinowo,  whose sudden departure sent shock waves through the fabrics of the party is still like a dream”.

The Party said INEC is yet to officially notify the party of the scheduled by-election, and that the constitution of the party is explicit about the process for the emergence of candidates for elections and it is irrevocably committed to abide by it.

The nomination is either by consensus or a primary among the aspirants, the Party stated.

The party acknowledges the interest the by-election may generate as the ruling party, but wants to urge all and sundry to play by the rules.

“We wish to reiterate our commitment to provide. at the appointed time , a level playing field for all the aspirants to engender internal democracy.

“We want to assure the media, party men and women and other interests that we will communicate the plan and process and program of the party towards the by-election at the appropriate time”, Seye Oladejo, the Lagos State spokesman revealed.

Meanwhile,  Alake, an indigene of Ekiti State, whose son is, also, a Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,  in a text message described the news as “a lie from the pit of the hell”, noting that he has no interest in Lagos East Senatorial election.