Familiar foes, Governor of Lagos state- Babatunde Raji Fashol and political mentor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu are back in the trenches. They have resumed quarrel over who is to be the next governor of Lagos state.
But this time, Governor Fashola is not eligible to contest and is rooting for other. Both Fashola and Tinubu had gone to the mat over the lagos helms man re election bid not too long. It had taken a strong threat of anarchy, after a protracted internal fight, for party leader Tinubu to endorse and help secure Governor Fashola's return to office. A sort of compromise that put an end to the war was reached in the process.
But it appears the compromise is off and the quarrel is resumed. Governor Fashola wants a succession alternative different from the one his protege has in mind.
According to a source ' the party and elders with Asiwaju as string puller had requested Governor Fashola made known list of those he favours as successor...the idea was that the list be harmonise with those of that stakeholders and a consensus candidate chosen...Femi Hamzat, the commissioner and son of Asiwaju Tinubu's major supporter Baba Hamzat ( Olatunji Hamzat) appeared to be the consensus candidate until a ferocious campaign by the influential Lagos crowd led by Oba of Lagos, Akiolu threw his candidature into stormy waters..they want a hard core lagosian as the next Governor of Lagos state...and a
growing religion sentiment was also kick started, a christian Governor is desired...Hamzat's father is now a king in Ogun state effectively tagging the aspirant a prince from another state and...he is a muslim'
Sources claimed an alternate candidate that fit the bill of the agitation of the powerful Lagosians and neutralised the religious sentiment was picked, Akinwunmi Ambode. But he was not in Fashola's list neither is he a favourite of the Governor.
According to another source 'infact the Governor was not consulted at all before he was chosen and he kicked against it'
Insiders claim Fashola and his camp now believe the offer for him to submit a list and subsequent protest of want of an indigenous governor and attendant religious sentiments were all ploy to know his leanings - and ultimately put his candidates out of contention.
It is further believed that Asiwaju has never forgiven him for the 'disloyalty' that brought about past engagement and his looking forward to installing a more 'obedient' successor to will help expose rot to 'nail' and discredit Fashola once he is out of office.
The Governor on his part need the support and sympathy of the next occupier the Lagos number one seat to evade this plot- and remain political relevant.
Maintained an insider ' statement by Fashola that competence rather than sentiments should help determine the next governor during a veiled reference to Oba Akiolu's public disclosure of Ambode's candidature is a slight window into raging fight over his successor'
Alarmed by the aggravated disaffection such pronouncements may within party ranks- and possible loss of support among electorates, the party hierarchy quickly issued a statement that no candidate has been chosen.
An insider however insist ' that doesn't mean no raging fight is on...it is just a damage control ploy to keep the matter within the party'.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the Party leader of ruling government in Lagos state, All Progressives Congress. He virtually single handedly installed incumbent two term governor Babatunde Fashola. The party's hold on the politics of Lagos state is such that, it is widely believed that candidates of the party are given election winners- particularly governor ship political contest.
Culled from societynowng
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