Barely one year to the 2023 general election, speculations
are growing over the “selection” of Hakeem Muri-Okunola as the next Lagos State
Governor.
Political forces reportedly picked the Head of Service (HoS)
to emerge as All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate against Governor
Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
If this happens, it would be history repeating itself as
former governor Akinwunmi Ambode suffered the same fate ahead of the 2019
election.
Though governors in Lagos and Nigeria mostly get second term tickets, Ambode was denied a second chance, after party stalwarts insisted on his exit.
To date, many believe his fallout with powerful APC members
and the leader, Bola Tinubu, cost him another four years in office.
The intervention of the presidency and others stopped
Ambode’s impeachment. Lagos Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa eventually named those who
made the House of Assembly soft-pedal.
But APC elders in the state have described the purported
move against Sanwo-Olu as baseless and inaccurate.
The Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the most powerful and
highest decision making organ, issued a rebuttal at the weekend.
The Secretary, Mutiu Are, accused enemies of plotting to
destabilize the APC and cause disaffection among members.
Are debunked the “replacement” claims, noting that the
suggestion “is absolutely false and preposterous”.
The scribe said contrary to the impression by merchants of
“hate, confusion and disharmony”, there are no discussions on the 2023 ticket.
Are stated that it was “not within the realm of GAC” to
engage in picking who becomes Lagos helmsman.
He reminded the public that the Independent National
Electoral Commission (INEC) was yet to signal the commencement of processes for
the next election.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu was elected for a 4-year tenure which is
still ongoing. The matter of replacement of the governor does not arise and is
patently subjudice.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu is doing a wonderful job delivering
infrastructure projects for Lagos and working daily on making the state better
for all its residents”, Are added.
The GAC warned those behind the “dangerous, dysfunctional
and misguided” information to desist forthwith.
Muri-Okunola, a Tinubu disciple with widespread support in
Lagos is close to APC chieftains, the elite, moguls, political and community
elders, as well as the traditional institution.
The lawyer and public administrator clocked 50 on January 7,
2022. He is the first son of the late respected Justice Muritala Okunola.
In December 2018, Ambode appointed him as Lagos HoS after
Folasade Adesoye retired. Tinubu was said to have made the nomination.
Muri-Okunola served as Permanent Secretary, Ministry of
Youth and Social Development. He was Executive Secretary, Land Use and
Allocation Committee between 2005 and 2011.
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