The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives
Congress has commenced its governorship
primaries at the Onikan Stadium, Ikoyi.
Over 3,000 delegates from the 20 local
government areas of the state have been
accredited and ballot boxes placed at the centre
of the field.
All 13 governorship aspirants are seated outside
the main field. They are: A former Commissioner
for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan; a former Account
General of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode; the
Current Commissioner for Works, Dr. Obafemi
Hamzat; the Speaker of the House of Assembly,
Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Senator Ganiyu Solomon.
Others are Mr. Wahab Tokunbo, a former aide to
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Tayo Akinde; Mr.
Olanrewaju Ope, a former Commissioner for
Rural Affairs, Mr. Toyin Ayinde and a former
Attorney General of the state, Mr. Olasupo
Shasore.
Ambode, who is said to have the backing of
Tinubu is the most likely candidate to win.
Our correspondent who spoke to a cross section
of aspirants across all the local governments
learnt that Ambode would emerge the winner.
Despite protests by all the aspirants (except
Ambode) that the direct system of election
should be used, the APC has gone ahead to
employ the delegate system otherwise known as
the indirect system of voting.
The Peoples Democratic Party has therefore told
the APC aspirants that they are free to join the
PDP if they perceive any hanky panky.
However, the state Chairman of Lagos APC,
Chief Henry Ajomale, said, while addressing
journalists at the venue, that there would be a
level playing field.
Ajomale said the direct system of primaries
would be too hectic and cumbersome. He,
however, said aspirants would not defect to the
PDP if things did not go their way.
He said, “We had about 20 aspirants in 2007 and
many even left because they were not satisfied
but we still won convincingly.
“Everybody cannot win but I am proud of the
quality of the aspirants we have today.”
The chairman of the event, Mr. Peter Obada, who
is also a former Deputy Governor of Edo State,
said the votes would be counted at the venue.
More details later. . .
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