By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday won a second term endorsement from one of his potential rivals if he desires to seek a second term in office.
The endorse came from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, during a television interview.
Gbajabiamila, who also hails from Lagos, is seen in some quarters as a possible replacement for Sanwo-Olu in 2023.
The last governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode, was stopped from running for a second term by his political godfathers who settled for Sanwo-Olu.
But extolling the competence and leadership style of Sanwo-Olu, the Speaker said he has positioned Lagos State on the path of growth, despite the numerous crises in the past year.
In an interview aired on Channels TV, Gbajabiamila said Sanwo-Olu has been doing a “good job” in governing Lagos, stressing that the Governor must not be distracted.
The lawmaker representing Surulere 1 Federal Constituency in the green chamber of the National Assembly mulled the idea that Sanwo-Olu be allowed to renew his mandate in the next general election, pointing that the Governor’s performance in the last two years has surpassed expectations.
Gbajabiamila said: “The present Governor of Lagos State (Sanwo-Olu) is doing a good job. The fact that we had a one-term Governor at one time doesn’t mean it is going to be the same forever. This Governor is doing a good job under the current circumstances. It’s been a difficult time in his last two years and he has come out well. So, why should anyone upset the apple cart? I think he (Sanwo-Olu) is doing a good job.”
The Speaker also cleared the air on his rumoured ambition to contest for the Lagos’ governorship seat in 2023, saying he had “no immediate plan” to contest. He said the task before him as Number 4 citizen in the country was enormous and tough enough for him to be distracted by the rumour.
Asked if he is nursing a governorship ambition, Gbajabiamila said: “That (question) provokes a smile. No, I don’t have any such plan and I don’t have immediate plan. I have a job I am doing right now; it’s a very tough job. Sometimes, it’s the most difficult job and I say it to people in the world. People don’t understand that, but this is not a forum I’m going to break it down.
“I don’t want distractions. I am working as a Speaker of the House of Representatives with a lot of responsibilities on my shoulder right now. Any other thing would be a distraction. As for Lagos State Governorship? I have not even thought about it. Why? Because, the present Governor is doing a good job.”