Lagos 2027: Ambode Is Back!
By Kolawole Oriola
He’s back. Mr Akinwumi Ambode, the former governor of Lagos State between 2015 and 2019, is back.
Although there has been front and back on his next political journey, this medium can authoritatively reveal that Ambode is back to complete his second term, which was cut short in 2019 because of issues of politics.
Impeccable source who reveals this to newsnowonline.com.ng was emphatic that the former governor has fully reconciled with President Bola Tinubu, and that explains why most of the governorship aspirants in the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state has stepped down their campaign despite the initial preparations.
As at last count, not more than a dozen aspirants have been touted in the ruling APC: Names like Mauruf Alausa, Minister of Education, Hon Babajimi Benson, a member of house of representatives from Ikorodu, Dr Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, deputy governor, the principal private secretary to President Tinubu, Hakeem Muri- Okunola, Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Seyi Tinubu, Lagos Chief of Staff, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Speaker, Lagos Assembly, Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa; Chiarperson of NiDCOM, Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and Dr. Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran, aka JANDOR, made up the list.
On the other hand, it’s almost certain that the governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour who has defected to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, will pick the ticket.
Also, in the Peoples Democratic Party, Funso Doherty, ADC , guber candidate in 2023, is poised to pick the ticket without dismissing Wale Gomex, a PDP stalwart from Lagos Island and its perennial candidate, Mr Jimi Agbaje.
According to the source, Ambode is seen as a candidate that will be easily managed without much ado because of his past record.
Also, the fact that he’s coming to spend four years and pave the way for the heir apparent to the Lagos State House, Seyi Tinubu, whose The City Boy Movement is almost everywhere in the nook and cranny of the state has made his job a sweet one without much ado for a second term which always distract incumbent.
” I can tell you that ADC tried to convince him last year as an adopted candidate, but he declined.
“After his reconciliation with President Tinubu, a lot of political pundits went into a frenzy. Initially, he was tipped to be a member of FEC, and when that didn’t fly, it was rumoured that he would go to the Senate.
“Now, it’s certain that he’s been reserved for the top job in Lagos. Moreover, his candidacy seems to enjoy the support of the wide spectrum of the state based on his modest achievements in the first term.”
Also, at a recent 70 birthday anniversary of a former military administrator’s wife somewhere in Lagos, Ambode, according to our impeccable source, was grining from ear to ear as people at the function salute him for gradually making a return to the office he was denied a second term in 2019 in grand style.
” Even his security has been beefed up around him. Those who should know in the APC apparatick are aware already. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been fully briefed on how to handle the situation when the nominations open. For now, it’s certain that Ambode is back, “said our source with the tone of finality.
