Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode |
In spite of mounting opposition to his second term bid ticket, Gov.
Akinwunmi Ambode’s kinsmen and women have resolved to take the battle to
God in prayers.
An indication to this effect came from Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, a former
Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, as he urged Epe indigenes to
pray for Ambode’s successful clinching of the All Progressives Congress’
ticket at the governorship direct primary scheduled for Sept. 29.
Ikuforiji made the appeal at the grand finale of Kayokayo festival in Epe on Saturday night.
Epe is home to Ambode and the late Gov. Michael Otedola.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the state’s Governor’s
Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision making body of APC in
Lagos, met on Saturday night where it resolved that the chapter must
hold its primary to determine its governorship candidate.
The decision may have put paid to hopes that the party would clear
the coast for Ambode’s bid by asking his challengers to step down for
him.
Among his challengers are Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, a former Commissioner
for Training and Establishment, believed to have been backed by Chief
Bola Tinubu, APC National Leader and ex-governor, and Dr Obafemi Hamzat,
also a former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure.
A source close to the 22-member GAC meeting held at Tinubu’s Ikoyi
residence told NAN that the party insisted that Ambode must go through
the primary with others.
“We met and deliberated extensively on the governor’s second term bid and our forthcoming primary.
“After the deliberations, we resolved that the party should hold the
primary to pick its candidate because that is just the right thing to
do.
“We are a democratic party that believes so much in internal
democracy, so we think we should allow everyone to sell themselves to
members who will eventually determine their choices,” the source who
attended the meeting said.
Among those who attended the meeting are Sen. Anthony Adefuye, Alhaji
Tajudeen Olusi and former Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and Chief Abayomi
Finnih, who is scheduled to address the press on Monday on the outcome.
Ikuforiji, however, urged the people to be calm and support the
governor in prayers for him to be successful in the re-election bid.
He said prayer became necessary because of the “speculations” that Mr
Jide Sanwo-Olu has been tipped to succeed Ambode as the next governor
on APC platform in 2019 election.
Also addressing the gathering, Mr Adedoyin Adesanya, the Chairman,
Epe Local Government, stressed the need for peaceful coexistence and be
focused.
He said the people of Epe should live in peace and harmony for the progress of the community.
Earlier, Mr Alade Saliu-Okulu, the Chairman, Organising Committee,
thanked sponsors and attendees, noting that this year’s festival was
better than the previous editions.
He advised the winner of a brand new car at the festival to make a good use it and support the staging of other editions.
The activities marking the Epe Kayokayo festival which started on
Sept. 14 were rounded off at mid-night of Sept. 22 with several artistes
on the bandstand.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer: Comment expressed do not reflect the opinion of African Parliamentary News