Moses Ofodeme
The Lagos state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday, October 4, dismissed reports that the party hierarchy is contemplating a replacement for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The report says key party members are considering fielding Tokunbo Abiru, the party’s candidate for Lagos East senatorial district bye-election in the 2023 governorship election.
According to the APC, the reports are the handiwork of the opposition in the state.
This disclaimer was contained in a statement issued by Seye Oladejo, the party’s Publicity Secretary.
Oladejo said the APC is focused on the by-election scheduled for October 31, also adding that the aim of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is to cause disaffection in the APC and distract Governor Sanwo–Olu from delivering the dividends of democracy to Lagosians who overwhelmingly for him in the 2019 general elections.
“The report that Abiru is being prepped to replace Governor Sanwo-Olu in 2023 came from the camp of opposition; because we won’t have a governorship election until the next two and a half years. So, our party as well as Abiru as a candidate are focusing on the assignment at hand.
“The opposition will want to throw a spanner on the wheel to cause disaffection in the ruling party; perhaps that’s why they remain as permanent opposition in Lagos State”.
“But nothing can be farther from the truth; Abiru is focusing on the ticket he got from APC; and I enjoy some personal relationship with him; and I can also tell you that he is not even thinking beyond the present mandate he has.
“But it will suit the propaganda of the PDP to say that somebody is being prepped up to take over from the governor; and you can see that the governor didn’t even respond to that”.
Oladejo also said despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Sanwo-Oluhas been able to surpass the expectations of Lagosians in key areas of governance.
According to him, the pandemic brought out the best in the governor as the way he managed the situation earned him applause both from within and outside the country.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu has been able to surpass the expectations of the majority of Lagosians in the past one year. When one is coming into government; a lot of unexpected and unpredictable issues play themselves up.
“The pandemic threw up the leadership quality in the governor; he was on top of it in words and action. Lagosians were able to leverage on that; and have confidence in the government they elected.”