Ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election, a group within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos is said to be spoiling for war against alleged plans by some party leaders to handpick one of the leading gubernatorial hopefuls as the party's candidate.
The Visioners for New Lagos, VNL at the weekend vowed that it would resist what it alleged as attempts by the party hierarchy to foist a former accountant-general of the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, as the next governor without due process.
However, the assertion was immediately challenged yesterday by the interim spokesman of the state chapter of the APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe who told newsmen that assertions of imposition credited to the immediate past governor of the State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were the figment of the imagination of the group. He said that serious decisions on Lagos are collectively taken by a group of elders and not solely by Asiwaju Tinubu.
Coordinator of the VNL, Mr. Bambo Akin-Johnson, however, in the statement said that the group was determined to stop what it claimed were clear signals that the party leadership was inclined to railroad Ambode as the next governor without due process.
"Why no one is opposed to the person of Ambode aspiring to the office of the governor, we take exception to his imposition. If anything, he must be a product of a credible process in the emerging new Lagos," he said.
In his reaction yesterday, Comrade Igbokwe said: "I don't know about it. If anybody is saying that Asiwaju can just decide what can happen in Lagos, that person does not understand the inner working of APC Lagos. We have elders of the party who are between 15 and 20 and if there is any important decision to be taken, they meet and after the meeting and if there is any serious decision, somebody must be mandated to speak and because Asiwaju commands the respect of Lagosians, he is always the one to deliver such."
"It is not a matter of one man getting up that this must be this. Lagos is a civilised place. It is a figment of the imagination of those people who are saying that."
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The only ones imposing Akinwunmi Ambode will be the people of Lagos. Their decision will be based solely on his good character and his ability proven in 27 years in civil service and by his account of social engagement. Check out his CV on wikipedia and get your own opinion.
ReplyDeleteIf this is an attempt to build a negative record for Akinwunmi Ambode, it is clearly not working. This guy's reputation has been established over 27 steadfast years in civil service and in manifold acts of social engagement.
ReplyDeleteThere is more to Ambode that meets the eye. No doubt he has an impressive resume, but why would he resign suddenly from his position in 2012 at the peak of his career. From what I have read he is from Ondo State. Are there no other qualified candidates that are indigene of Lagos State that are just as good as Ambode and even better, because I know some. He is been selected to continue the onslaught on Lagos State revenue to the pocket of one man and it needs to be stopped.
ReplyDeleteYou need to get your research right. Ambode is a core Lagosian from Epe.
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