Of note is the fact that the candidacy of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State in 2015 was powered by the political claws of the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as it was rumoured that outgoing Governor then, Mr. Babatunde Fashola had preferred his Commissioner for Environment.
However, the trending turn of the table which seems to have pitched the incumbent State Governor and his two political godfathers, Tinubu and Fashola is capable of upturning calculations and permutations.
Some grassroots political foot solders’ who volunteered comments on the matter on grounds of anonymity averred that part of the anger of the national leader are germane.
They accused Ambode of not taking care of foot solders’, support groups and even the Obas. They recalled that whereas Fashola bought cars and randomly sees traditional rulers with goodies and other political kingmakers, Ambode deviated from such support schemes.
Otherwise, it’s like Tinubu may be talking for these groups of party faithful after all.
Besides, another strong ally of Tinubu hinted that one of the key factors annoying the ‘Jagaban’ was Ambode’s refusal to follow many of Tinubu’s counsels in the spread of projects, saying one of the hottest cases was the location of a N2.5bn project to Epe, his home town.
Currently, even though there had been some levels of reconciliation, strong indications emerged weekend that Babajide Sanwoolu, one of the governorship aspirants on the platform of the APC in Lagos State, has expressed his desire to pursue his ambition to become the next governor of the state, saying he will not step down for the incumbent, Governor Ambode.
This is as the national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is reported to be in a dilemma over the fate of Governor Ambode, who is seeking a second term in office as Governor of Lagos State.
Business Hilights gathered that while Tinubu, after entreaties from many prominent Nigerians which include President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President President, Yemi Osinbajo, religious leaders and monarchs said he has forgiven Ambode, he added that his foot soldiers in the Mandate Group, the most influential political group in the state are insisting they have had enough of the governor.
Analysts say another contender; Alhaji Hamzat (coming from Fashola) may not put more threat to Ambode’s second term aspirations as would be done by Jide Sanwo-Olu who is seen as a more popular candidate coming from the Jagaban.
