The second term bid of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos state is still very bleak as one of his aides, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has also purchased nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed not to back out of the race.
He said he was inspired by his vision for a better and bigger Lagos which the generation yet unborn would be proud of, describing himself as “a proper Lagosian”.
His formal declaration has been slated for Sunday at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking with newsmen on Friday, he said his decision to run has exemplified the commitment of the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to entrenching internal democracy in the party.
Sanwo-Olu, 53, is believed to be strongly backed by Tinubu’s Mandate Group which comprises Conference 57 representing the Chairmen of the 20 Local Governments (LGs) and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).
There are indications that the move to pacify party leaders to support Ambode’s re-election may have suffered a major setback with Sanwo-Olu already constituting a 21-man campaign council made up of Tinubu loyalists.
Hon. Tayo Ayinde who heads the council as Director-General is a long term loyalist of Tinubu.
Flanked by prominent members of the Mandate Group and some LG Chairmen, Sanwo-Olu said his aspiration has nothing to do with any individual or any crisis within the party.
According to him, the Lagos state political firmament has a democratic process in place that allows everybody to aspire and prove his mettle.
He said going by his experience in the public and private sectors spanning 30 years, he has the capacity to lead the state to an enviable height.
The aspirant said the insistence of Tinubu to conduct direct primaries in nominating candidates has proved wrong his critics and proved that he is a true, thorough-bred democrat.
“My national leader is not only Lagos leader, he is a national leader for Nigeria. He has passion for Nigeria. To say that he will call me and all others to back out, he wouldn’t do it. He is a democrat that will allow democracy to grow and thrive. He has entrenched participatory democracy”, he said.
Sanwo-Olu also hinted that his government would make the entire Lagos State his constituency.
“Immediately after my nomination, we will set up teams at different levels. This is going to be about the people, we will go round all the Local Governments and hear what the issues are.
“I will reach out to the people and run an open door policy. I will not be a governor for Lagos Central, the entire Lagos 57 will be my constituency. I will speak less and listen more”, he added.
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