2023: Sanwo-Olu’s Second Term Bid Shaky

Will Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu suffer the same fate like his predecessor, Akinwumi Ambode over his second term bid? Will he be denied the ticket? Will Senator Tokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East in the Senate be drafted to replace him as it’s been touted? 

These are the posers agitating the minds of politicians around Alausa seat of power in Ikeja as they throng there daily, waiting for Mr. Governor to give them the go ahead for his second term campaign.

Though, he has effectively shut down the aspirations of his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and his head of service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, but it’s not yet uhuru for Sanwo-Olu. 

There is uncertainty in the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress over the second term bid of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as the party National Leader, Bola Tinubu, appears to be considering “other options” for the 2023 governorship race.

According to Daily Trust, contrary to reports that Sanwo-Olu had been endorsed by the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision-making organ of the APC, the governor is still awaiting its nod.

This is why the governor has not made his intention known to seek a second term, it was learned amidst fears in some quarters that he might be denied.

It was also gathered that GAC is yet to meet on the second term of Sanwo-Olu and until it takes a final decision on the matter, the fate of Sanwo-Olu is unclear.

There has been widespread speculation that Sanwo-Olu might not get a second term ticket paving way for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to offer its ticket to him.

The APC immediately kicked and rejected what it called a Greek gift, saying the platform that offered him the ticket in 2019 is still very much available.

The speculation followed a report alleging that another member of the ruling oligarchy in the state might have been anointed.

But findings by Daily Trust indicated that there is uncertainty in Lagos over the fate of Sanwo-Olu.

“I can tell you this is what is responsible for the lull in the party. Aspirants have been coming out for other positions but not the governorship.

“Aspirants are reading the lips of the GAC before indicating interest, especially in the governorship. Definitely, people will still come out to contest the position. It is not automatic,” the source said.

A prominent GAC member who spoke with our correspondent confirmed that they are yet to meet on the issue of the second term for Sanwo-Olu.

“I am surprised to read a report that GAC has endorsed Sanwo-Olu for a second term. There is absolutely nothing like that. GAC has not met for some time now on the issue of the second term,” he said on the condition of anonymity.

However, the GAC member said the general opinion of the GAC members is that Sanwo-Olu deserves a second term.

“He is already getting the endorsement of some divisions in Lagos. Ikorodu people recently endorsed him for a second term when he came to commission some projects in the zone.

“But he needs the support of all the divisions in Lagos and all the GAC members in these zones would have to endorse him. Until then, we just need to exercise some patience,” he said.

When asked when Governor Sanwo-Olu is likely to declare his intention for a second term, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said it is about leadership and not about one person just standing up to declare.

According to him, Sanwo-Olu still is just mid-way into his tenure. Besides, he noted that the governor has several gigantic ongoing projects to focus on so as to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people.

“Declaring for the second term is not the most pressing thing now, it is about delivering the dividend of democracy; it is about completing all of the ongoing projects.

“When it is time for politics, you will see us. Remember, we have party elders, and leaders, so when it is time, you will see us,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu has also expressed the fears that he might be denied the second term when he told Channels Television that the state stand to lose most of the lofty programmes he wanted to unleash if he’s denied the second term. 

Additional reports from franktalknow