APC Primary: Ambode’s Second Term Bid In God’s Hand

In spite of mounting opposition to his second term bid ticket,
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode’s kinsmen and women have resolved to take the
battle to God in prayers.

An indication to this effect came from Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji, a
former Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, as he urged Epe
indigenes to pray for Ambode’s successful clinching of the All
Progressives Congress’ ticket at the governorship direct primary
scheduled for Sept. 29.

Ikuforiji made the appeal at the grand finale of Kayokayo
festival in Epe on Saturday night.

Epe is home to Ambode and the late Gov. Michael Otedola.

It was reported that the state’s Governor’s Advisory Council
(GAC), the highest decision making body of APC in Lagos, met on
Saturday night where it resolved that the chapter must hold its
primary to determine its governorship candidate.

The decision may have put paid to hopes that the party would
clear the coast for Ambode’s  bid by asking his challengers to
step down for him.

Among his challengers are Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, a former
Commissioner for Training and Establishment, believed to have been
backed by Chief Bola Tinubu, APC National Leader and ex-governor,
and Dr Obafemi Hamzat, also a former Commissioner for Works and
Infrastructure.

A source close to the 22-member GAC meeting held at Tinubu’s
Ikoyi residence told NAN that the party insisted that Ambode must
go through the primary with others.

“We met and deliberated extensively on the governor’s second
term bid and our forthcoming primary.

“After the deliberations, we resolved that the party should hold
the primary to pick its candidate because that is just the right
thing to do.

“We are a democratic party that believes so much in internal
democracy, so we think we should allow everyone to sell themselves
to members who will eventually determine their choices,” the source
who attended the meeting said.

Among those who attended the meeting are Sen. Anthony Adefuye,
Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi and former Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and
Chief Abayomi Finnih, who is scheduled to address the press on
Monday on the outcome.

Ikuforiji, however, urged the people to be calm and support the
governor in prayers for him to be successful in the re-election
bid.

He said prayer became necessary because of the “speculations”
that Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu has been tipped to succeed Ambode as the
next governor on APC platform in 2019 election.

Also addressing the gathering, Mr Adedoyin Adesanya, the
Chairman, Epe Local Government, stressed the need for peaceful
coexistence and be focused.

He said the people of Epe should live in peace and harmony for
the progress of the community.

Earlier, Mr Alade Saliu-Okulu, the Chairman, Organising
Committee, thanked sponsors and attendees, noting that this
year’s festival was better than the previous editions.

He advised the winner of a brand new car at the festival to make
a good use it and support the staging of other editions.

The activities marking the Epe Kayokayo festival which started
on Sept. 14 were rounded off at mid-night of Sept. 22 with several
artistes on the bandstand.