By Pascal Oparada
According to a tweet by Dele Momodu, Publisher of Ovation magazine and Boss newspaper, business mogul and chairman, Forte Oil, Femi Otedola, has confirmed to him that he would be contesting for the position of Lagos State governor in the 2019 elections.
The report, if true, puts to rest months of speculation that the son of former Lagos State governor, would square up against the incumbent, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who recently declared for a second term.
This would also make the race for the Lagos top job interesting, according to analysts.
Speculations are rife that the billionaire may be flying the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state for the 2019 elections.
TheNiche could neither reach Momodu nor Otedola to confirm the story. Momodu’s line was switched off.
Momodu had in July suggested that Otedola may likely contest for the number one seat in the state.
In a post on Instagram, Momodu was enamoured by the looks of Otedola and said he looksgood for a governor.
“The fresh look of a future governor, FEMI OTEDOLA, he wrote.
In April, Otedola was seen hopping on public transport, popularly called Molue which fueled speculations that he may soon run for the office of the governor of Lagos State.
He quickly dispelled the rumour in a tweet saying his ride on public transportation is not a political stunt as the current governor was doing a great job.
“My attention has been drawn to a news piece where false information from a parody account was posted. I am a man of the people and I will always be on the side of the masses but I am stating clearly via this medium that I am not running for office,” he said in his verified Twitter handle.
“The Governor of Lagos State is doing a commendable job and Lagosians should be proud of him,” he said.
His late father, Michael Otedola, was a civilian governor of the state from January 1992 to November 1993.
A story by the BOSS newspaper on Tuesday titled, ” 2019: Otedola accepts to fly Lagos PDP’s flag,” said:
“Mr. Femi Otedola, Chairman/CEO of Forte Oil, has accepted to run for the governorship seat of the Lagos State under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Boss can confirm that the party offered the billionaire oil magnate the ticket of the party, and he wholeheartedly accepted.
Otedola will therefore, in the long run square up against whoever the All Progressives Congress (APC) throws up as its party candidate as it is still embroiled in battle of supremacy between the loyalists of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.”
