Anxiety has begun to mount in the Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), following a festering rumour that the state’s Head of Service, Alhaji Hakeem Muri-Okunola, may be fielded in next year’s governorship election by the party’s patriarch, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This has become so, following various reports online, indicating that the incumbent governor, Mr. Sanwo-Olu, was originally brought in to spend a term, following the technical ouster of former Governor Akinwumi Ambode, which denied him a second term.
A report stated that Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, had made up his mind to field Muri-Okunola who’s young and seen as one of the inner caucus members.
“To those around Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu does not belong to the inner caucus and may not be able to stand the heat if the push come to shove,” one of the repots said.
On the issue of Seyi Tinubu (Tinubu’s son) succeeding Sanwo-Olu, a source said,” It’s just a kite to deceive the unwary. The real masquerade is HMO (Hakeem Muri-Okunola) who has been around the corridors of power in Lagos for a long while now. He’s Tinubu’s boy and you see him around always. His loyalty has never been in doubt.
“ If you observe, there’s hardly anywhere you see Sanwo-Olu that HMO will not be around to understudy him. As the head of service, he’s supposed to be in charge of the civil service, but his mandate is beyond that.
“Besides, when Ambode was foot-dragging to make him head of Service, Tinubu waded him and pronto, his name was announced. To show that HMO is Tinubu’s boy in who he is well pleased, he came to Alausa to celebrate with him after his name was announced.”
On what will be the fate of Sanwo-Olu, the source said he would replace Senator Oluremi Tinubu in the Lagos Central Senatorial district in anticipation that Remi will be the First Lady after the 2023 presidential election.
“HMO has been tested and trusted. He has run errands for Tinubu without any controversy, served Fashola as personal assistant. He was also the Secretary of Lands, the honey pot of Lagos state without having any problem. He was the permanent secretary in governors’ office. Now, he’s the head of service. All these were to enable the 50 years old politician to learn the ropes and now, barring any last minute change of strategy, he’s seen as the incoming governor in the political parlance.”
But a pro-Sanwo-Olu group named Concerned Lagos Professionals, has hit back, describing the HMO permutation as largely self-aggrandisement and not Tinubu’s thought-flow.
It discribed the HMO issue as “a seasonal kite about Hakeem Muri-Okunola as potential successor to current Governor Babajide Sanwoolu of Lagos state in the 2023 general elections”.
“This is pushing Muri-Okunola’s luck too far. In all appointments given him, he has never acquitted himself well, apart from being Personal Assistant to the Leader.
He was a… (expletives).. in Lagos bureau of lands. HMO left the place in…(expletives); If not for Kabiyesi Rilwan Akinolu, former Governor Ambode would have dismissed him. For what? Wait till another day.
“As Head of service, HMO is a mistake waiting to be CORRECTED by Sanwoolu.
WAIT FOR MORE DETAILS ON HMO WHO HAS DENIGRATED THE HOS POSITION,” the group averred, with emphasis.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) has debunked the viral news on the social media that it had concluded plans for the replacement of Governor Sanwo-Olu Muri-Okunola in the 2023 governorship election.
The Secretary of the GAC, which is, officially, the highest political decision-making organ in the state, Alhaji Mutiu Are, disclosed this via a press statement released on Saturday,
According to a press release, GAC stated that it is not within its realm to choose a replacement for any Governor.
The statement said the news was spread to cause disaffection among party members and leaders, noting that the GAC had not discussed the issue of second term.
Below is the full press statement from GAC:
The attention of the Governance Advisory Council has been drawn to a vexatious post circulating on WhatsApp purporting that the GAC, party leaders and stakeholders have settled for a replacement for Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu.
Ordinarily, we would not have dignified such an anonymous post with any response. However, because of the possibility that some unwary persons may believe the words contained therein and interpret them as factual, the GAC would like to state as follows:
1.That the GAC has not settled for any person to replace Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu as governor. Therefore, it is absolutely false and preposterous for anyone to suggest so.
- That the process of picking a Governor is clearly stated in the constitution. And contrary to the false impression the merchant of hate, confusion, discord and disharmony wanted to create with the post, there is no discussion of second term ticket by the GAC.
- It should also be pointed out that it is not within the realm of GAC to engage in picking replacements for a governor.
- Importantly, the Independent National Electoral Commission has not signaled the commencement of the process for governorship election in Lagos State.
- Governor Sanwo-olu was elected for a 4-year tenure which is still ongoing. The matter of replacement of the governor does not arise and is patently subjudice.
Governor Sanwo-olu is doing a wonderful job delivering infrastructure projects for Lagos and working daily on making the state better for all its residents.
- Finally, we urge those behind this dangerous, dysfunctional and misguided post to desist forthwith.
SIGNED
Secretary, GAC