As activities towards the 2027 governorship elections set in motion, political permutations, as usual, are taking the centre stage.
In Lagos State, activities are gradually gathering momentum following the directive by President Bola Tinubu, mandating political appointees with aspirations for elective offices to resign on or before March 31.
The directive has triggered heightened political tension, consultations and permutations across the state, with observers and party insiders speculating on the possible zoning arrangements and likely contenders for the governorship ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Political observers are of the view that the emerging dynamics within the party may likely support the governorship ticket being zoned to the Lagos East senatorial district.
The development has pushed some prominent political figures from the zone to engage in early discussions for the party’s ticket.
Among those frequently mentioned in political circles are a former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, the senator representing Lagos East, Adetokunbo Abiru, the Minister of State for Health, Tunji Alausa and a member of the House of Representatives, Jimi Benson.
Others being taunted are Hakeem Muri Okunola, a lawyer and Principal Secretary to President Tinubu and Femi Gbajabiamila, also a lawyer and former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Although party sources maintain that consultations are still ongoing and that the party leadership is yet to make any official pronouncement on zoning, there are indications that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, may feature prominently in the unfolding political permutations.
It is speculated that he could represent Lagos West in the Senate in a strategic power-sharing arrangement within the party.
Lagos West intensifies push for deputy governor slot
Attention has also turned to the deputy governorship position, with political watchers suggesting that the slot may likely be zoned to Lagos West as part of a broader political balancing formula within the state.
The possibility has triggered intense lobbying across that axis, particularly in the Badagry division and other political blocs in the district, where stakeholders are said to be seriously consulting to ensure that the zone secures the number two position in the state.
Party insiders said leaders and political stakeholders from the zone had stepped up behind-the-scenes engagements within the APC structures, arguing that the senatorial district, the largest and politically most expansive in the state, deserves greater representation in the state’s top executive leadership.
The agitation has reportedly drawn the involvement of major party blocs within the APC, including the influential Justice Forum and the Mandate political structures, both of which have historically played decisive roles in the emergence of deputy governors in the state.
Among those being mentioned for the deputy governorship position are the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, former Oriade Local Government chairman, Ramota Hassan-Ijaiye; Lagos State Commissioner for Basic Education, Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun; Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government, Prince Lanre Sanusi and former Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Chairman, Ayodele Adewale, popularly known as “Lord Mayor.”
Also being mentioned within the political conversations are Samuel Ajose, popularly known as SMA and Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adeniran.
Within the Badagry division of Lagos West, political discussions have also spotlighted Prince Wale Oluwa, a technocrat whose name, party sources say, has been gaining traction in the ongoing consultations within the party.
Stakeholders from the division are said to be intensifying advocacy for a candidate from the Badagry axis, arguing that the area has historically played significant roles in the electoral fortunes of the party, and deserves strategic consideration in the emerging political equation.
Meanwhile, another school of thought within the political establishment suggests that both Adeniran and Ajose may also be under consideration for possible federal appointments outside the state.
Factors likely to shape final decisions
Political watchers have noted that several factors would likely influence the eventual choices for both the governorship and deputy governorship tickets.
These include religious balancing, generational considerations and the recurring debate over indigenous representation within the state’s political leadership.
Looking at the religious angle, there are indications that some stakeholders are rooting for a Muslim candidate to succeed the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is a Christian.
In addition, political analysts said the question of indigenous representation had resurfaced strongly in recent political conversations, with some Lagos political blocs advocating greater inclusion of indigenes in key leadership positions.
Another permutation gaining attention within the political circles suggests a possible arrangement in which Lagos East would produce the governor, Lagos Central, the deputy governor and Lagos West, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
As consultations continue across party structures and political camps, analysts agree that the coming months are likely to witness increased political alignments and realignments as aspirants and their supporters intensify efforts to position themselves ahead of the APC’s eventual decision on zoning and candidate for the 2027 governorship race.
Lagos 2027: Zoning permutations tilt towards Ambode, Abiru, others for APC guber ticket
0 Comment to "Lagos 2027: Zoning permutations tilt towards Ambode, Abiru, others for APC guber ticket"
Post a Comment