Ahead of the 2019 general election, the governorship candidate of
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, and his
All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, are
at different stages of negotiation to try to get the support of the
Igbo residing in the state, Akelicious can report.
While
Sanwo-Olu has allegedly agreed to reward the Igbo with a position in the
State Executive Council (SEC) and release N300 million for the purpose
of mobilisation, Akelicious investigation revealed that Agbaje was still
in talks with different Igbo groups and leaders in the state.
Multiple
sources confirmed the quest of the two governorship candidates to
Akelicious at the weekend, noting that Sanwo-Olu appointed the Publicity
Secretary of Lagos APC, Mr. Joe Igbokwe “to coordinate Igbo leaders and
residents to support him and other APC candidates in the state.”
An
APC leader, who spoke with Akelicious in confidence, disclosed that the
Igbo leaders had allegedly accepted the offer “to cede a cabinet
position to an Igbo resident and N300 million as conditions to canvass
support for the APC and its candidate in the March 2, 2019 governorship
election.”
Following the sealing of the deal, the source revealed
that Sanwo-Olu “had already agreed to release N100 million before
Christmas with a promise to settle the remaining part before the end of
January 2019.”
However, according to the source, some Igbo
leaders, mainly the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) leaders, are
dissatisfied with the offer because they were initially demanding N1
billion, among other conditions, to support the APC candidate in Lagos
State.
Consequently, the source noted that Igbokwe “has lost
ground as long as Igbo people in the state are concerned. For some Igbo
leaders, they believe Igbokwe cheapened the Igbo with N300 million
deal.”
Another competent source, who also craved anonymity,
claimed that Agbaje had initiated talks with different Igbo groups and
leaders in the state ahead of the March 2, 2019 governorship election.
The source disclosed that majority of Igbo leaders were negotiating with
the PDP candidate for a better deal, noting that the Igbo meetings with
Agbaje, started since the last four weeks, are gaining momentum.
According
to the source, most Igbo leaders are more comfortable with Agbaje for
different reasons. First, they have strong affinity with the PDP.
Second, they want a government that protects their interest better.
Third, they did not like the way Lagos APC maltreated Governor Akinwunmi
Ambode.
However, the source noted that some influential Igbo
leaders, like the former military governor of Imo and Lagos states, Rear
Admiral Ndubisi Kalu, were not part of the meetings with the PDP
candidate.
In telephone discussion with Akelicious yesterday,
Igbokwe admitted that he was the one coordinating Igbo residents for APC
and its governorship candidate in the state. He said he had been able
“to secure Igbo support for Sanwo-Olu without any condition attached to
it.”
Igbokwe, however, denied the claims that Sanwo-Olu had
agreed to cede a cabinet position to an Igbo resident and release N300
million for the purpose of mobilising Igbo voters in support of the APC
and all its candidates.
The APC state publicity secretary said,
“It is not true that there is an agreement to give Igbo a
commissionership slot if Sanwo-Olu wins the governorship election. Also,
our decision is not based on any pecuniary gain or political patronage.
“However,
all we are asking from the government and people of Lagos State is a
deal to protect the interest of Igbo people and residents in the state.
We are business people. Igbo people have huge investment in Lagos State,
cutting across different sectors of the economy.
“We are
grateful that the government and people have accommodated us over the
years without rancour. Our support for Sanwo-Olu is a way to show
appreciation to the government and people of the state.”
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