kingmakers in Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), who are expected to make impact in the 2019 general elections
As
the battle for the 2019 general elections gains momentum in Lagos State
with the commencement of campaigns, the ruling All Progressives
Congress (APC) in the state is expected to ensure that it defeats the
main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to retain the nation’s
former capital which has been under its grip since the country’s return
to civil rule in 1999.
But for APC to win next year’s
governorship elections, the party will be banking on the support of it
gladiators. The ruling party in the Centre of Excellence, without any
iota of doubt, would be banking on the leadership of former governor of
state and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Apart from
Tinubu, there are other kingmakers, who are expected to play crucial
roles in the election. They include members of the Governor’s Advisory
Council (GAC), the highest decision making body in Lagos APC.
The
GAC presently is made up of “22 wise men” who determine the direction
the party goes before, during and after any election. Its members are
Tinubu; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola;
incumbent governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Lagos APC chairman, Hon. Tunde
Balogun; his predecessor, Prince Henry Ajomale; former Lagos deputy
governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; former Speaker of Lagos State House
of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Lagos Central Senatorial District
apex leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Lagos West Senatorial District apex
leader, Prince Rabiu Oluwa; Lagos East Senatorial District leader,
Otunba Bushurat Alebiosu and Oba Olatunji Hamzat.
Others are
Deputy Director-General of Lagos APC Independent Campaign Group (ICG),
Cardinal James Odunmbaku; Second Republic Secretary to Lagos State
Government (SSG), Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun; Senator Anthony Adefuye,
Chief Lanre Rasak, Prince Murphy Adetoro; Prof. Tunde Samuel, Alhaji
Shakiru Seriku (Bamu), Alhaji Mutiu Lawal-Are, Chief M.A. Taiwo, Prince
Muyiwa Sosanya and Dr. Abayomi Finnih
Bola Tinubu
The
APC national leader is arguably one of the most experienced and
influential politicians in Nigeria. Through hard work and commitment,
Tinubu, who was once regarded as the face of opposition in Nigeria’s
politics, moved APC with the support of many political gladiators, from
an opposition to ruling party during the 2015 general elections.
Since
he ventured into politics as a senator in the aborted Third Republic,
Tinubu has been an active player in politics, especially in Lagos State,
where he has been deciding who gets what in the last 19 years. As a
member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), he alongside his
colleagues fought tirelessly against the annulment of June 12, 1993
presidential election and for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria,
which gave birth to the incumbent Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999.
Tinubu,
who was elected on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD) as the
first elected Lagos State governor in the present Fourth Republic
assumed office as the third elected governor of the state on May 29,
1999 and was re-elected in 2003, not only as Lagos State governor, but
also as the only man standing among the six South-West AD governors, who
were elected alongside him in 1999.
During his eight years as
governor, Tinubu’s philanthropic gesture endeared him to the heart of
the masses and he has remained a factor in Lagos politics and Nigeria at
large, despite leaving office since 2007. He singlehandedly backed his
then Chief of Staff, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to succeed him in 2007 on
the platform of the Action Congress (AC). Tinubu was also the brain
behind the emergence of incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in 2015 as
well as the choice of former Lagos State Commissioner for Training and
Pension, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as APC’s governorship candidate for the
2019 elections.
The APC national leader in the last few years has
demonstrated a great spirit in paddling the affairs of APC and many
people believe strongly that he will be the main issue in the 2019
elections. There is no doubt that Tinubu, who is fondly called ‘Jargaban
Borgu’ and ‘Asiwaju’ is very powerful in Lagos politics considering how
he has positioned different people, especially his associates in the
past into public office within and outside the state.
Babatunde Fashola
Fashola,
as a former governor of Lagos State wrote his name in gold. He governed
Lagos between 2007 and 2015 before handing the baton to Governor Ambode
and is currently the Minister of Works, Power and Housing.
Fashola
has been an active player in the corridor of power since 2003. He was
Chief of Staff to Tinubu before he threw his hat into the ring to run
for Lagos governorship on the platform of Action Congress (AC). Against
all odds, he emerged as the party’s candidate and also won the election.
Fashola,
within his first term in office as governor proved that he is an
actualizer with lots of remarkable achievements, which made him to win
the hearts of many Lagosians. It was his performance that earned him
public sympathy amidst intrigues that trailed his second term ticket in
2011.
His remarkable achievements in office also attracted him to
President Muhammadu Buhari, who made him a “super minister” by giving
him the opportunity to handle three key ministries – Power, Works and
Housing.
Fashola without any iota of doubt still have some
influence in Lagos politics and this was reflected recently with the
emergence of one of his loyalists and former Commissioner of Works, Dr.
Obafemi Hamzat, as running mate to the APC governorship candidate,
Sanwo-Olu.
Fashola is expected to play a major role in 2019 general elections to ensure that APC wins in both state and federal elections.
Akinwunmi Ambode
Ambode
as a sitting governor has a lot of role to play in the forthcoming
general elections despite being denied the opportunity to seek for
re-election.
The former Accountant-General of Lagos State,
against all odds emerged as APC governorship candidate for the 2015
election and won poll to become the fifth civilian governor of the
state. His intension to seek for re-election in 2019 hit the rock as he
lost the party’s governorship ticket to Sanwo-Olu.
As the number
one citizen in Lagos State, Ambode will play a crucial role during the
campaigns to ensure that his party retains the state. He is expected to
join other party’s leaders to campaign in all the nooks and crannies of
the state to ensure that the APC governorship candidate, Sanwo-Olu and
other candidates emerge victorious.
Tunde Balogun
The
former Commissioner for Home Affairs is the incumbent chairman of Lagos
APC. Since his assumption of office, he has done a lot of things to keep
the party together, especially after the primary elections.
Unlike
many states, where post-primary elections tore the party apart, Lagos
APC is still a formidable platform, except a few members who are still
raising voices within the party.
As a number one man in Lagos
APC, it is believe that Balogun is among those who will lead the battle
for the 2019 general elections for APC to retain the state.
Tajudeen Olusi
Prince
Olusi is one of the respected kingmakers in the ruling party. His
sterling career in politics spans over 50 years. He is one of the firm
believers of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and has always
remained consistent as a progressive in promoting good governance.
Prince
Olusi was among those who midwifed Social Democratic Party (SDP) in
1990 and first served as the party’s vice chairman in Lagos State before
becoming chairman of the party during the aborted Third Republic.
In
1998, prior to the beginning of the present Fourth Republic, which
started in May 29, 1999, Prince Olusi became a chieftain of the Alliance
for Democracy (AD) and was among leaders who worked for the emergence
of Tinubu as governor in 1999. In 2007, he became the National Vice
Chairman (South-West) of Action Congress.
Prince Olusi as a
member of the GAC is one of the kingmakers in Tinubu’s political empire
and there is a strong belief that all political aspirations in Lagos
Central Senatorial District are usually determined by Olusi, being APC’s
apex leader in the district.
Bushura Alebiosu
Otunba
Alebiosu is the apex leader of APC in Lagos East Senatorial District.
The engineer turned politician started politics in 1976 as a councillor
in the then Shomolu Local Government of Lagos State. He became a member
of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 1979 and was re-elected in 1983.
Since
1999, Bush as Alebiosu is popularly known in Lagos politics has
remained one of the leaders of the ruling party, especially in Kosofe
area of the state from the AD days to when the party became APC. As the
apex leader of Lagos East Senatorial District, Alebiosu will lead other
foot-soldiers to ensure that APC wins with landslide in the general
elections.
Rabiu Oluwa
Prince Oluwa is a member of GAC
and the apex leader of Lagos West Senatorial District of APC, the
largest and most populated senatorial zone in the state. The party will
rely on him and other party members for APC to win all the elective
positions in the senatorial districts.
Olatunji Hamzat
The
respected leader of the APC, who is now a traditional ruler in Ogun
State, is the father of Obafemi Hamzat, the running mate of APC
governorship candidate. Therefore, he will do the needful to ensure that
his son and other party’s candidates carry the day during the 2019
general elections.
Oba Hamzat founded Justice Forum, one of the
major political group in the ruling party, which plays a role
determining who gets what in Lagos. As GAC members, he is expected to
play a fatherly role in ensuring that APC has its way again in Lagos
come 2019.
Henry Ajomale
The immediate past chairman
of Lagos APC is a member of the GAC. He contributed immensely to the
ruling party’s success in Lagos State during his tenure as the number
one member of the parry.
The former Commissioner for Special Duties was able to deliver the state for his party in the last three general elections.
As
chairman of the ruling party under different platforms – Action
Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and APC – he led the
party to victory in 2007, 2011 and 2015 general elections as well as
local government elections held during his tenure.
Against this backdrop, the party will be counting on his wealth of experience in politics to re-enact the feat come 2019.
James Odunmbaku
Cardinal
Odunmbaku is a man of many parts. He is religious leader, astute
politician, activist, community leader and successful businessman.
Baba
Eto as Odunmbaku is popularly known, is a grassroots mobiliser and he
has been an active participant in politics since the aborted Third
Republic.
He played a crucial role during the annulled June 12,
1993 election by serving as Special Adviser on Grassroots Affairs to
Chief MKO Abiola, the presidential candidate of SDP. He was also the
immediate deputy chairman of the Lagos APC.
Odunmbaku is a voice
to be reckoned with in APC and one of Tinubu’s foot soldiers, who
spearheaded the campaign for the emergence of Sanwo-Olu as APC
governorship candidate for the 2019 elections.
As the Deputy
Director-General of Lagos APC Independent Campaign Group (ICG),
Odunmbaku will work to deliver the state for APC. His influence as a
godfather in Ikeja division of the state cannot be overlooked and most
APC candidates in the area are banking on his support to achieve their
aspirations in 2019.
Abiodun Ogunleye
Prince Ogunleye,
a native of Ikorodu in Lagos is a chartered accountant turned
politician. He is not a novice in Lagos politics, especially in the
ruling party, having served as state chairman of AD and former deputy
governor of Lagos State.
He is regarded as APC’s apex leader in
Ikorodu division of the state. He was also a two-time commissioner in
the state, serving as Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare between
1994 and 1996 as well as Commissioner for Finance and Economic
Development between 1995 and to 1996, during the military era.
Ogunleye
is the shortest serving deputy governor in the political history of
Lagos State. He served for only 13 days as deputy to Tinubu before
passing the baton to Princess Sarah Sosan on May 29, 2007.
As a member of the GAC, the party will be counting on him and other party leaders to deliver Ikorodu to APC.
Anthony Adefuye
Adefuye,
a member of the Senate during the aborted Third Republic and former
Lagos State chapter chairman of United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), is
one of the kingmakers in Lagos State politics.
He is a respected
APC chieftain, especially in Somolu area of the state and this is one
of the reasons why politicians usually troop to his Lekki residence to
consult with him.
As a member of the GAC, he is one of APC leaders, who will strategise for the party’s victory in the 2019 general elections.
Murphy Adetoro
Prince
Adetoro is the first civilian chairman to head both Apapa and Eti Osa
council before its delineation. He is one of the respected GAC members
with a lot of influence in Eti-Osa Local Government.
Shakiru Seriki
Bamu
as Alhaji Seriki is known in APC is a kingmaker in Epe division of the
party. In the last few years, he has contributed immensely to the
party’s success in the division and other parts of Lagos State. The
party will be banking on him and the likes of Chief Lanre Rasak to
deliver Epe for APC in 2019.
Olorunfunmi Bashorun
Chief
Basorun, a religious leader was Secretary to the Lagos State Government
(SSG) during the Lateef Jakande administration between 1979 and 1983
and was later appointed as Commissioner for Education in October 1983.
Basorun,
a banker and legal practitioner was the pioneer Lagos PDP chairman and
one of the party’s governorship aspirants for 2003 elections. He later
dumped the PDP to pitch his tent with then ruling party, Action Congress
of Nigeria (ACN). He is a member of the GAC in Lagos State and
respected leader in Ikorodu division of Lagos State.
Mutiu Lawal-Are
Alhaji
Are has been an active participant in the ruling party since the AD
days. As a member of the GAC, he is one of the respected leaders of the
party.
Adeyemi Ikuforiji
He is one of the longest
serving members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, as well as the
longest speaker, having had the opportunity to steer the ship of the
Assembly for uninterrupted eight years.
He was elected into Lagos
Assembly in 2003 and got re-elected in 2007 to represent Epe II
Constituency. He was again elected into the House ib 2011 to represent
Ikeja I Constituency.
He became speaker of the Assembly in 2007
and was re-elected as speaker in 2011. He showed interest in the APC
governorship in 2015, but lost the ticket to Ambode.
As a member
of the GAC, Ikuforiji is expected to play a major role in 2019 elections
to ensure that APC makes a good outing, especially in Epe, where he
hails from.
Lanre Rasak
Chief Rasak popularly known as
“KLM” is not a pushover in Lagos politics given his experience. The
Balogun-General of Epe was a former Commissioner for Transport in Lagos
State.
He was one-time governorship candidate of All Nigeria
Peoples Party (ANPP) and later member of the PDP before joining the
ruling party. He has a lot of political influence in Epe.
Abayomi Finnih
Dr.
Finnih, an obstetrician and gynaecologist founded the famous Finnih
Medical Centre, Ikeja. Despite being a medical doctor, Finnih got
involved in politics during the time of the Unity Party of Nigeria
(UPN).
He was a member of the AD and supported his friend, Dr.
Wahab Dosumu, for Lagos State governorship in 1999, but Dosunmu lost the
party’s ticket to Tinubu.
He dumped AD to for Progressive Action
Congress (PAC) and later joined PDP and became the Chairman of Elders
Forum of the party in Lagos State. Dr. Finnih later returned to APC and
is among the GAC members. He is strong APC leader in Ikeja.
Prof. Tunde Samuel
Prof
Samuel is the pioneer Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary
Education (MOCPED), Epe between 1994 and 2002. He later served as
Special Adviser on Education to Tinubu.
The retired professor of
Political Economics, who was a delegate to the 2014 National Conference,
is one of the decision makers in Agege and the party will bank on his
experience in winning the 2019 polls in the area.
Muyiwa Sosanya
Chief
Sosanya, a founding president of the Association of National
Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) is a respected APC leaders and a member of
the GAC.
Chief M.A. Taiwo
Chief M.A. Taiwo, a GAC member, is a former second vice chairman of AD in Lagos State.
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