Tinubu, Osinbajo Pitch Camps Ahead Of Tomorrow’s APC Governorship Primary

There are indications that the attempt by leaders of the All Progressive Congress in Lagos to stop Governor Akinwunmi Ambode from seeking re-election on the platform of the party is taking its toll on the relationship between Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

APC leaders in the state, including Tinubu have endorsed Babajide Sanwo-olu as governorship candidate of the party ahead of the primaries which was postponed for the second time to Tuesday October 2.

But the plot to stop Ambode may have pitched Osinbajo, who is believed to be supporting the governor, against Tinubu.

A source close to the party informed THE WHISTLER that the delay in holding the primary is due to disagreement between Tinubu and Osinbajo who have been unable to reach a consensus on the fate of Ambode.

The source could not explain why Osinbajo would go against Tinubu, considered his political god-father, but other sources reason that recent events have shown that the VP is also trying to build his own political structure ahead of 2023 general election when he is likely to be in contention for the presidency.

For instance, in both Ondo and Ekiti States governorship elections, the two political associates are believed to have supported different candidates. Those who won in both states were candidates supported by the VP.

It may be an indication of their political maturity that the simmering feud between the two over 2023 has been kept under the radar. But the crisis over Ambode may soon bring it to public glare.

“Many believe that what is happening in Lagos is a fight for 2023 when the presidency goes back to the south. The VP wants to have a strong political base for himself, and not depend on Tinubu’s structure since the Asiwaju himself may be interested in 2023. So Osinbajo sees support for Ambode as a step in that direction,” explain an APC Chieftain in Abuja.

Meanwhile, Governor Ambode’s re-election bid was greeted with uncertainties after reports emerged some weeks ago that the acclaimed national leader of the ruling APC, Tinubu, had endorsed Sanwo-Olu for the Lagos governorship poll.

Tinubu’s endorsement of Sanwo-Olu is said to have informed the alleged decision of over 50 council chairmen loyal to the APC national leader to withdraw their support for Ambode. The council chairmen were said to have pledged their support for Sanwo-Olu instead.

-Impeachment Threat-

Following Sanwo-Olu’s governorship declaration on September 10, reports filtered in that the Lagos House of Assembly was plotting to impeach Governor Ambode.

It was equally learnt that 36 out of 40 members of the House recently agreed to unanimously support the position of the leadership of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) to endorse Tinubu’s candidate for the Lagos governorship.