Lagos 2027: How Sanwo-Olu’s Successor Will Emerge, Three Top Contenders Attract President’s Interest

By Akinjide Aina, Abuja Bureau Chief

The godfather of Lagos politics and former Governor of the State, now President of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has, since leaving office as Governor in 2007, effortlessly decided who rules the State.

However, 2027 may be a bit tricky for the President as far as making a choice of who succeeds the incumbent, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is concerned.

This magazine can authoritatively reveal that though the next governorship election in Lagos is three years away, a titanic battle albeit clandestinely to succeed Governor Sanwolu has begun in earnest and at the centre of it are three men dear to the heart of the President Tinubu- his son, Seyi Tinubu,  his Chief of Staff and immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.Femi Gbajabiamila and the Speaker of  Lagos state House of Assembly, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.

A source who is conversant with the unfolding intense battle for Alausa seat of Lagos state government but pleaded for his name to be withheld “because it will not be politically right to openly comment on the issue at the moment as none of us knows where the pendulum will eventually swing” told the magazine that deep down his heart, the President is appreciative of the unflinching, unwavering loyalty of Gbajabiamila and Obasa all these years- from the AD years to AC, then ACN and now APC-  and would love to reward them with the governorship of Lagos state.

His words: “However, Mr President also wants to make history in Nigeria as the first politician who was governor and whose son also later become governor too, something akin to the Bush scenario in the United States where the Senior Bush, George H W Bush was Vice President and President respectively, and later his son, George W Bush became the Governor of Texas and President of America respectively.

Further giving insight into what may likely play out at the end, the source said: “Had it been that there is a provision for “co-governorship” in the constitution, the trio of Gbajabiamila, Obasa and Seyi would have definitely emerged one in 2027.

“But I believe there will eventually be something politically hefty for the trio in 2027”

The magazine was informed that in the worst case scenario, Gbajabiamila or Obasa may pair with Seyi ( Seyi as running mate) or a neutral candidate will be chosen and Seyi made his Deputy while Obasa and Femi are compensated with Senatorial seats.