Following a statement credited to the All Progressives Congress (APC) national Chairman, Adams’s Oshiomhole dismissing the rift in Lagos state chapter, The 57 council chairmen in Lagos state, have come out to reiterate their endorsement of Gov Akinwunmi’s rival, Jide Sanwoolu.
Speaking to APC governors during a meeting in Abuja, Oshiomhole, insisted that the Lagos State chapter of the party was in sound health, saying that the reported rift between Ambode and the national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu was a product of the imagination of the enemies of the party.
Gov Ambode
But Omolola Essien, Chairman, Conference of LGs and LCDAs in Lagos says Oshiomhole is on his own on the matter.
Speaking to IGBERE TV, the leader of Conference of LGs and LCDAs in the state, popularly known as Conference 57, insisted that they have withdrawn their earlier support for Governor Ambode’s re-election & were now throwing their weight behind Jide Sanwo-Olu.
IGBERE TV recalls that the council chairmen, who are the grassroots mobilisers for the APC during elections, had endorsed Governor Ambode for another term on March 25, 2018.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues then, Essien said their decision to support Governor Ambode for another term was on account of the need to allow him continue with the massive infrastructural renewal & transformation of all parts of the state, adding that the achievements of the governor in office so far were visible to all.
She said the unanimous endorsement of the governor was the second time the council chiefs would be doing such having earlier endorsed him individually.
However, things took a dramatic twist when Essien and her colleagues were seen at the formal declaration of Sanwo-Olu who has the backing of the Mandate Movement, the most influential political organisation in Lagos State. It was also alleged that all the 57 council chairmen signed his nomination form.
With feelers that the rift between Governor Ambode and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, his political benefactor, had been resolved at the APC mega rally in Osun on Tuesday, the council chairmen on Thursday reaffirmed their support for Sanwo-Olu, saying their earlier endorsement of Ambode could no longer stand.
According to Essien, “Yes, we endorsed Governor Ambode for second term but that was then. Now, we are for Jide Sanwo-Olu. He is our candidate for governorship election.”
