The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday refuted speculations that it had chosen former Accountant-General of the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, as its candidate for the 2015 governorship election in the state.
In a telephone interview with our correspondent, the Publicity Secretary of Lagos APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, said the recent endorsement of Ambode as the next governor of Lagos by the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, did not mean the party had picked him as its candidate.
He said, "We have not chosen anybody as our candidate for the governorship election. The fact that the Oba of Lagos expressed his private opinion does not mean we have chosen a governorship candidate for 2015 election."
Also in a statement issued by Lagos APC on Tuesday, the party condemned the Peoples Democratic Party for threatening Oba Akiolu because of his personal endorsement of the candidature of Ambode for the Lagos State governorship contest in 2015.
APC also described as irresponsible, uncouth and callous the allegations levelled against the Oba of Lagos that he aided the rigging of elections in the state.
The party said the rude and callous statement emanating from Lagos PDP flowed from its frustration that the Oba rejected the multi-million dollar bribe the PDP had been dishing out to traditional rulers nationwide.
It added that the threat by the PDP to burn down the palace of the Oba of Lagos was a collective threat to the peace loving people of Lagos.
The statement read in part, "For record purposes, the Oba of Lagos never made any illegal statement by stating his preference for the candidacy of Ambode who is still an aspirant of our party. We state that other traditional rulers have been known to make similar endorsements, and even President Goodluck Jonathan was openly cavorting traditional rulers all over the country recently for his presidential re-election aspiration.
"It is understandable that the Lagos PDP has made itself a tale bearer that invests in speculating and circulating rumours and gossips, trading lies and innuendos over who gets what ticket and who backs who in Lagos APC, we dare say their attempt to pre-empt whoever emerges as APC candidate instead of working to present a credible candidate for their party, is downright silly and flows from the same lack of seriousness that has been the hallmark of Lagos PDP."
APC urged Lagos residents to choose the best candidate to succeed Governor Babatunde Fashola.
When contacted the Publicity Secretary of Lagos PDP, Taofik Gani, denied that the party threatened to burn down the palace of the Oba of Lagos, but noted it had said it would make sure that any palace used to rig elections in 2015 would be made inhabitable.
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