Gboyega Akinsanmi

Intense lobbying and jostling have picked up among political actors currently serving in different capacities at the federal and state levels wanting to succeed the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), after the expiration of his tenure in 2015.

Prominent among the aspirants are Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Ganiyu Solomon, representing Lagos West Senatorial District; Senator Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District; the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; and ex-Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire.

Other aspirants interested in the job include Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives; former Governor Bola Tinubu’s aide-de-camp, Mr. Gbolahan Lawal; and the immediate past Accountant-General of the state, Mr. Akin Ambode.

Another possible replacement for Fashola is the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeola Ipaye, although he is said not to be interested in the core politics of the state.

It was however gathered that the governorship position might be zoned to the Lagos East Senatorial Zone, taking into cognisance the fact that the serving governor comes from Lagos Central while his predecessor is from Lagos West.

If the governorship slot is eventually zoned to Lagos East, as is being canvassed, the move will put paid to the governorship ambitions of Hamzat (Lagos West), Gbajabiamila (Lagos Central), Lawal (Lagos Central), Banire (Lagos West), and Solomon (Lagos West) as possible contenders, leaving Ashafa, Ambode and Ikuforiji, who is currently facing graft charges, in the race.

But in response to enquiries on contenders for the race, the state’s Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Oladele Ajomale, said the party’s leaders “are not talking about the governorship election yet,” stating that the party was yet to deliberate on such issue.”

The chairman, however, expressed strong opposition to the principle of zoning, noting that the principle “is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) formula and not ACN’s. We do not believe in such ideas. We believe in picking the best.”

He said the next governor of the state could come from any part of the state, adding, “Our responsibility is to get the best and only the best will be good for the state.

“Wherever the candidate comes from, it does not matter. It is only those that can perform that will emerge eventually.

“It is not about zoning. Someone who cannot perform cannot govern the state. The state is too discriminatory for that. We always want the best. The only thing the state deserves is a quality candidate.

“We cannot choose someone who will drag the party backwards. The next governor of the state must be someone who will shatter the records of the incumbent governor.

“When the time comes, the right candidate will emerge. I have not seen anyone who is interested yet.”
On Somolon’s declaration to contest for the position, Ajomale explained that all qualified candidates “have the right to say what he or she want. But I am in the best position to tell the truth. The party is yet to decide who will
be the next governor of the state. But when the time comes, we will do that.”

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/early-scramble-for-babatunde-fashola-s-job-begins/138459/

Any numskull "scrambling" for the governorship position under the banner of the discredited and despised ACN is engaging in a futile mission. The "scramble" should be left to the PDP or perhaps the Labour Party. The ACN is finished in Lagos, and by implication, the South West, and by implication, completely finished!

Let them go to Banana Island and Victoria Island to "scramble" for votes, and we would see whether 'elite' votes are sufficient to put them in power.

pro01: Any numskull "scrambling" for the governorship position under the banner of the discredited and despised ACN is engaging in a futile mission. The "scramble should be left to the PDP or perhaps the Labour Party. The ACN is finished in Lagos, and by implication, the South West, and by implication, completely finished!

Let them go to Banana Island and Victoria Island to "scramble" for votes, and we would see whether 'elite' votes are sufficient to put them in power.

well said brother

pro01: Any numskull "scrambling" for the governorship position under the banner of the discredited and despised ACN is engaging in a futile mission. The "scramble should be left to the PDP or perhaps the Labour Party. The ACN is finished in Lagos, and by implication, the South West, and by implication, completely finished!

Let them go to Banana Island and Victoria Island to "scramble" for votes, and we would see whether 'elite' votes are sufficient to put them in power.

Very well said! Apart from the elitist and close associates of ACN. Everyone else HATES ACN'S guts in Lagos state. What's worse is that the bloody king pin of ACN, ojuyobo, is not even an indigene of Lagos but of Osun.

Hands croSsed.

.

jason123:
Very well said! Apart from the elitist and close associates of ACN. Everyone else HATES ACN'S guts in Lagos state. What's worse is that the bloody king pin of ACN, ojuyobo, is not even an indigene of Lagos but of Osun.

Keep deluding yourself.
In 2015, you will finally understand what is called "BO RINU MI BO RINU MI, DEMO N MO WA"
You will understand Yoruba people then.

.a

The next governor of the state must be someone who will shatter the records of the incumbent governor.

This is the koko of the matter!

pro01: Any numskull "scrambling" for the governorship position under the banner of the discredited and despised ACN is engaging in a futile mission. The "scramble" should be left to the PDP or perhaps the Labour Party. The ACN is finished in Lagos, and by implication, the South West, and by implication, completely finished!

Let them go to Banana Island and Victoria Island to "scramble" for votes, and we would see whether 'elite' votes are sufficient to put them in power.

Some people on this forum who make statements such as this haven't even set foot in Lagos in their entire miserable lives.

pro01: Any numskull "scrambling" for the governorship position under the banner of the discredited and despised ACN is engaging in a futile mission. The "scramble" should be left to the PDP or perhaps the Labour Party. The ACN is finished in Lagos, and by implication, the South West, and by implication, completely finished!

Let them go to Banana Island and Victoria Island to "scramble" for votes, and we would see whether 'elite' votes are sufficient to put them in power.

This is delusion.

Absolute nonsense! The party still strong and will be out to win the race any time any day. You people should stop your trash and zip your mouth ok.
The government of ACN is a set example of good governance. However, provision of basic need in term of infrastructures are gradual process and to be completed by successor owing to limitation of tenure.
Who is lagosian among us in SW? Lagos is our avenue to make life easy for every Yoruba raze before any other race in Nigeria. It's design for that purpose and if you lack this knowledge before now, this is avenue for you to know.
If Nigeria refused to work as a unity, we will found alternative to survive which is the plan on ground. Tell your state governor to do the obligation he signed to do, if he doesn’t, go to the street. This is beauty of democracy: Stop spreading rubbish and please attend to your ill.

Performance in previous assignment or appointment should be considered among many other.