By Akinwale Kasali
For weeks, the second term ambition of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo of Lagos was shrouded with uncertainty, with speculations rife that there may be a sudden change in his earlier endorsement by the Governors Advisory Council, GAC.
But the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader and frontline Presidential Aspirant for the 2023 election, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has quashed such speculation by openly endorsing Governor Sanwo Olu and his Deputy, Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat for second term.
Tinubu held both men by their hands; raised them up, and endorsed them for another four years at the Lagos APC Stakeholders Meeting, during which all aspirants vying for elective positions in the State met with the former Governor at a declaration event held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Lagos.
In attendance were Lagos House of Assembly Speaker, Rt.Hon.Mudashiru Obasa, Chairman APC Lagos, Chief Ojelabi and many others.
Speculation was rife that former Deputy Governor, Idiat Adebule, under former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration was tipped to replace the incumbent Deputy Governor, Kadiri Hamzat, but that has been vehemently debunked with the endorsement of both men today.
There had been reports that Tinubu had dumped Sanwo-Olu for another loyalist, Mustapha Olorunfemi, ahead of the May 23, 2022 governorship primary in the state.
Tinubu’s open endorsement has quashed the viral reports that Tinubu had abandoned Sanwo-Olu.
Before today’s endorsement, 85-year-old GAC Member, Prince Tajudeen Olusi and APC chairman in Lagos, Cornelius Ojelabi, had openly given support to the ambition of Sanwo Olu, noting that Sanwo-Olu had GAC’s support to return to office.
The GAC, the highest decision-making organ of the party headed by Tinubu, had mid-April endorsed Sanwo-Olu for second term.
Responding to viral reports that Tinubu had rejected Sanwo-Olu just as he opposed former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in the build-up to the 2019 Governorship election, Olusi revealed that Tinubu had filled Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement form which would be transmitted to the party’s secretariat in the state before the May 23 Governorship Primary.
Olusi said, “All members of GAC are happy with Sanwo-Olu’s first term performance and we support his return for second term.
“A lot of our members have also filled a form endorsing Sanwo-Olu’s second term bid. Tinubu also signed the form. Any other thing is untrue.”
Following this speculations that Sanwo Olu won’t be given ticket for a second term, there were another speculation that former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was planning to run for the Governorship, and was on the verge of purchasing the APC form, but the Chairman of the Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Organisation, Wale Oluwo, refuted the allegation.
He said, “The same way they heard about it was the same way we heard about it. The person that they said has been picked to replace Governor Sanwo-Olu is not from AMCO. He doesn’t work with us; we know him because he was in government and had been a PS (Permanent Secretary).”
When asked whether Ambode had purchased APC N50m form for the May 23, 2022 Governorship primary, Oluwo said, “No”.
On whether the ex-governor had any intention to do so, he said, “The organisation, AMCO, will announce it. The organisation has to meet and finalise things and announce.”
