Ahead of the 2019 general elections, all seem not to be well within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State as some of the leaders are at loggerheads over who will contest for the various positions on the platform of the party.
The ruling party, which had held sway in the country’s commercial capital since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999, is currently divided over political aspirations and battle for control of the party’s structures in the state.
New Telegraph reliably gathered that there are disagreements over choice of candidates from the array of aspirants ahead of the APC primaries, which is expected to start this month, including the state governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, who many had thought would have a smooth ride in securing the party’s ticket for a second term.
Despite the gale of endorsement of the governor for a second term by party leaders and groups across the states, there is no clear signal that he will get an automatic ticket.
The recent adoption of direct primaries by the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to pick the party’s candidate for the 2019 elections has triggered disaffection among chieftains of the party, which many of them believe is the affirmation of the position of the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, at the last APC stakeholders meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Lagos, where he said APC will adopt direct primaries in Lagos State.
Apart from the issue of direct or indirect primaries, New Telegraph investigations revealed that some of the issues that are causing uneasy calm in Lagos APC include Governor Ambode’s re-election, power tussle among old and new executives, deputy governorship slot, ambitions of some party gladiators and recent defections into the party, among others.
With the various issues in the front burner in Lagos APC, some political observers believe that if they are not properly handled, may tear the party apart and affect its performance in the 2019 elections.
Primary elections
The primary is crucial for any political party because it is the process through which party’s candidates are elected. APC has three methods of conducting its primaries, which are direct primary, indirect primary and consensus. The party’s NEC has adopted direct primary for the election of all its candidates for the 2019 polls. But, the decision has stirred controversy within the party as many seem not to be in favour of it.
The division over the issue reflected at the weekend, when some APC state chairmen met on the issue to push for indirect primary. The absence of Lagos APC chairman, Hon. Tunde Balogun, from the meeting sent a clear signal that Lagos chapter of the party will hold direct primary to elect its candidates.
With the introduction of direct primary, members will play a crucial role in the choice of who will run on the platform of the party during the 2019 elections unlike in the past, when candidates emerged through the delegate system. Knowing the importance of the party members at the primary election, the aspirants, especially those who are Muslims, showered the APC members with gifts during the recent Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
But, considering the controversy that trailed the last congresses and national convention of the party, Lagos APC will require a lot of strategy to ensure that the outcome of the primaries does not boomerang on the party to prevent a repeat of the 2015 elections scenario, when internal wrangling led to defeat of the ruling party in five local government areas – Amuwo-Odofin, Ojo, Surulere, Oshodi-Isolo and Ajeromi/Ifelodun. The council produced Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the national and state assembly.
Ambode’s second ter
Going by public perception and endorsements he has enjoyed from members of the public, Ambode, is as good as emerging the APC’s flag bearer for the governorship election.
The governor has in the last three years, performed in terms of provision of infrastructure, which are visible in different parts of the state. Therefore, many believe he should seek re-election. This, perhaps, explains why several groups and individuals have being endorsing him for a second term in the last few months.
But, despite the endorsements, there are some people who believe that the governor has not performed to expectation, if his
Projects are equated to funds accrued to the state within the period.
New Telegraph, gathered from multiple sources within the that despite the endorsements, the road to a second term is not yet clear for the governor as some leaders of the party are against his re-election on account of his relationship with some power brokers in the state, including Tinubu and members of the Governor Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision making body in Lagos APC.
Ambode is believed to have incurred the wrath of some of the APC leaders as a result of some of his policies, which the politicians see as affront against them and an attempt to weaken them financially. One of such policies is the establishment of the VisionScape Sanitation Solutions, a waste management company, which has rendered the services of many waste management firms in different local governments owned by politicians in the state inactive
The governor is also believed to have stepped on some toes in the state by trying to delve into the politics at the grassroots based on the role he played in the appointment of secretaries and supervisors at the local government levels, which was contrary to the agreement reached by APC leaders during the last local government elections in the state.
Some party leaders were also said not to be happy with the governor over his inability to “take good care” of APC executives and power brokers in the state.
With the present state of things, the lack of cordial relationship between the governor and some APC leaders may pose a big challenge to his return in 2019 unless an urgent step is taking to address some of the issues they raised against the governor.
Though Ambode may have performed very well, some analysts believe that relying on performance alone to return to the government house without carrying party leaders and members along, may turn out to be a costly political gamble.
Deputy governorship
The choice of deputy governor is another issue in the Lagos APC. Like her boss, the state deputy governor, Dr. Oluranti Adebule’s hope of getting a return ticket even if Ambode scales through is still in doubt, considering the trend in Lagos politics. Since 1999, no deputy governor has successfully served for two terms. This tendency may stand as stumbling block to her re-election.
Presently, there is a serious battle within the Badagry and Ikeja axis of Lagos West senatorial district over the choice of a deputy governor. Adebule is from the Badagry axis of the state and investigations by New Telegraph revealed that some of those being positioned to succeed her are from the Ikeja axis. If she is eventually dropped without her successor coming from Badagry axis, the decision may lead to a protest vote from her people against the ruling party.
Power tussle between old and new executive
There is a saying that a house divided against itself will not stand. This notion seems to be working in Lagos APC as some of the old and new members of State Working Committee (SWC) are not in good terms.
Investigation by New Telegraph revealed that since the Hon. Tunde Balogun-led executive came on board, there have been clashes between some members of his executive and the previous SWC members.
New Telegraph reliably gathered that on two occasions, two members of the executives almost exchanged blows over party issues if not for the intervention of some party leaders at the secretariat.
The strife between the old and new executives led to a fight at the Lagos APC secretariat recently, as hoodlums stormed the place following the fight that broke between aides to the Woman Leader, Hon. Jumoke Okoya-Thomas and her predecessor, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson, who is currently the South-West APC Woman Leader.
The manner at which some executives who served in Chief Henry Ajomale-led executive were edged out did not go down well with some of them and their supporters.
Battle for senatorial seats
The battle for senatorial positions in Lagos State is in top gear as political gladiators have already joined the race to sack the incumbents in the National Assembly.
The contest for the senatorial seat has pitched power brokers in the party against one another. Apart from Lagos Central Senatorial district, where there seems to be no major opposition to the re-election of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, that cannot be said of the two other senatorial districts – Lagos West and Lagos East, where there are many aspirants.
At the moment, Senator Tinubu, who wife of the APC national leader is the only aspirant in the senatorial race and she enjoys the backing of many party leaders and stakeholders in the senatorial district, including Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu and the APC leader in Lagos Central, Prince Tajudeen Olusi.
New Telegraph gathered that Senator Solomon Adeola, representing Lagos West is not leaving any stone unturned to return to the Senate next year. Few weeks ago, there was stiff competition in the senatorial district, but the recent plea by some party leaders to former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, to withdraw from the race seems to have paved the way for Adeola. But, there are still some party leaders who are not happy with the senator for showing interest in the Ogun State governorship, while he is still serving as a senator in Lagos State.
Some leaders of the party believe that having shown interest in Ogun State governorship, it will be political wrong for him to return to the Senate to represent Lagos West. Those against his aspiration are of the view that his re-election bid may affect the party’s chances in the 2019 polls, especially in Alimosho, the area with largest votes in the state. But, some people believed that having represented Lagos West very well, he should be given another opportunity to return to the Red Chamber.
In Lagos East, Senator Gbenga Ashafa has many opponents interested in his seat. Among those who have already declared their interest for the senatorial seat besides the Ashafa is the member representing Kosofe II Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Bayo Osinowo; former All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship candidate, Chief Lanre Rasak and Hon. Denge Anifowose. There are also speculations in some quarters that the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora Matters, Hon. Abike Dabiri, is also interested in the seat.
With the array of aspirants in the race, APC leadership has a major role to play to ensure that the outcome of the party’s primaries does not break the party in the district. The ability of the party leaders to manage the fallout of primary will go a long way in determining the party’s performance in the senatorial district, where Governor Ambode hails from.
Senators Tinubu and Ashafa are currently in their second term and both of them have shown interest in returning to Senate for the third term. Since the return of democratic rule in Nigeria, no senator has ever served more than two terms in Lagos State and this is one of the reasons why some aspirants are warming up to replace the duo.
The belief is that any attempt to clear Senator Tinubu for the senatorial race and stopping of Ashafa and other lawmakers seeking to return to the legislative chambers may cause crisis in the party. The argument is that if Senator Tinubu is considered good and worthy for endorsement, others in her category should enjoy similar gesture, especially those who have performed credibly well.
Battle for NASS tickets
Ahead of the APC primary, some federal and state lawmakers in Lagos State are trying to outsmart one another to represent their respective senatorial and federal constituencies in the National Assembly.
New Telegraph gathered that some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have declared their intention to run for House of Representatives and senatorial seats in the forthcoming elections and their decisions have pitted them against their counterparts in the National Assembly.
Investigation revealed that the clamour by some constituents that some incumbent members of the Lagos State House of Assembly who have spent about three to four terms should step down for others to come on board forced many of the incumbent state lawmakers to declare their interest for federal legislative seats for them to remain relevant in the state politics.
While the decision of the lawmakers to step up was celebrated in some quarters, the move caused division among some party leaders in some constituency, especially in constituencies where incumbent members of National Assembly are just serving their first term.
“Some members of the House of Assembly having spent about three to four times in the house believe that they should give other people chance. This explains why some of them have declared their interest for the National Assembly seat. But their interest in the federal legislative seats has pitted them against some member of the House of Representatives, who are also nursing the ambition of returning in 2019,” a reliable source said.
Some of the local governments where the federal and state lawmakers are at loggerheads over National Assembly seats are Epe, Ifako-Ijaiye and Kosofe. Hon. Osinowo, a four-term lawmaker is among the APC aspirants poised to contest the senatorial ticket with Senator Ashafa. Osinowo, popularly known as ‘Pepper’ is the leader of APC in Kosofe Local Government Area and one of Asiwaju Tinubu’s core loyalists.
Apart from Osinowo, other state lawmakers who have already declared their interest to run for House of Representatives seats are Hon. Segun Olulade and Dayo Saka Fafunmi, while some are still consulting with party leaders.
Apart from the state and federal lawmakers who are scheming for National Assembly seats, some incumbent federal lawmakers are also facing tough challenge from members of Governor Ambode’s kitchen cabinet as well as APC chieftains in some local governments.
With the present state of things in the party, political analysts believe that the battle for the National Assembly seats is going to be a tough fight among the aspirants as they are already doing everything possible to get the support of party members who will determine their fate during the primary elections.
Re-election of lawmakers
There is also controversy over the plan of some lawmakers to either return to state House of Assembly or National Assembly, especially those who are currently serving their third or fourth terms in the legislative chambers. While some party leaders are backing them to return based on their popularity in their respective constituencies, some are pressurising them to step aside in order to pave the way for others.
For example, there is a clamour in Surulere Federal Constituency that the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, should not be allowed a fifth term to allow others who have declared their interest for the seat to take a shot. Irrespective of the opposition, Gbajabiamila seems to have the ears of some party leaders and how the issue is addressed will go a long way in determining the chances of the party in Surulere Local Government Area.
Battle for party structures
The battle for the party’s structures is another major issue in the Lagos APC as party chieftains and various groups are positioning themselves ahead of the 2019 general elections. At present, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) bloc, which is in charge of affairs of the party, has been accused of domination by All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) blocs.
The ANPP and CPC blocs are currently challenging the party leaders on the need for them to be recognised in terms of party and elective positions as well as appointments at the state and federal levels.
In some local governments, there are also various forms of political wars between incumbent chairmen and their predecessors as well as between political godfathers and their godsons. This trend has divided the ranks of the party in many local governments and the ability of the party leaders to handle the war of attrition will go a long way in ensuring that APC goes into the election a united house.
Some new entrants, especially those who defected to APC from the PDP are also insisting on being compensated with some elective positions and party structures ahead of the elections.
Cabinet reshuffle
The changes made by Governor Ambode in the state executive council early this year has also raised issues within the Lagos APC as members of the party have different views about it. While some leaders supported the move, others kicked against it. Those in support of it believe that it was for better performance and to accommodate more interests ahead of the 2019 elections. But, those opposed to it were of the view that the sack of some commissioners and special advisers was carried out to settle political scores.
While it is not the best of times for the Lagos APC, there is however no doubt that the ongoing reconciliation going on among the leaders of the party to pacify some disenchanted elements in the party ahead of 2019 elections, Governor Ambode may likely reshuffle his cabinet again before the end of the year to inject more politicians in his cabinet.
Speaking to New Telegraph in relation to some of the contentious issues in the Lagos APC, the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Abiodun Salami, said the party will provide a level playing ground for every member of the party in the coming elections.
“At the party level, we are going to be free, fair and transparent to everybody. The process of choosing candidates will be free and fair. I can assure you that the party is going to ensure a level playing ground for everybody,” he said.
.new telegraph
