An atmosphere of ‘wait-and-see’ is pervading the Lagos House, Alausa, as Bola Tinubu, the major decider of political direction in Nigeria’s richest sub national, Lagos, is yet to speak on the second term ambition of his ‘political son’ and incumbent governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.
Officials told BusinessDay on Wednesday that Tinubu’s silence was of concern and put those in government in an uncertain position to make categorical pronouncements on the governor’s ambition for 2019, since nobody knows exactly what “the political godfather’ has up his sleeves.
Tinubu’s silence is creating an air of uncertainty as officials’ tread with caution, as they await with trepidation, what they termed as the ‘formal endorsement’ of Ambode by Tinubu. Most political appointees and public office holders in Lagos hold allegiance to Tinubu, a former governor (1999-2007) who continues to dominate the political landscape of the state.
Officials who confided in BusinessDay said the incumbent governor himself is expecting the signal from Bourdillon before making a major statement on his ambition, though there have been moves including the constitution of committees to drive his second term project.
There have been endorsements of Ambode by several political, social and religious groups since the beginning of this year, but Tinubu, who is believed to have the party’s ticket in his pocket and gives to whoever he pleases, has maintained dignified silence. So also has Ambode, even though the 2019 elections is now less than a year away.
This same scenario had played out in 2011 when Tinubu would not endorse the second term ambition of the former governor, Babatunde Fashola, then under the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), until four months to the election. That had also thrown up uncertain political atmosphere within the party in particular and the state generally.
But Tinubu eventually gave Fashola the go-ahead on January 5, for the April 26, 2011 governorship election, after a tense political climate, with rumours that Fashola was under pressure to leave for another political party if denied the ACN party.
“After wide consultations at home and abroad, state and national level, and with the power conferred on me as the leader of the party (ACN), I hereby endorse Babatunde Raji Fashola for second term in office,” Tinubu had announced.
“As a successor, he didn’t disappoint me and by my own assessment, he scored 85 per cent. There is no reason a performing player should be substituted on the field of play. He remains the best man and should continue the job of state governor,” Tinubu said to the jubilation of party faithful at the Acme Road, Ogba, State secretariat of the party.
An official told BusinessDay that Tinubu may be playing the same game with Ambode, of whom he said “he has served well enough to earn continuity in office.”
Tinubu’s silence on Ambode has been compounded by the current cracks in the Lagos APC where long term allies of the godfather of Lagos politics are challenging his dominance of the political landscape.
There have moves to demystify Tinubu’s supposedly over bearing political influence by some his political associates. This has been seen in the emergence of a faction in the Lagos APC to challenge Tinubu’s political domination and control of the structure of APC in Lagos.
The faction which is led by the former Director General of the Akinwunmi Ambode 2015 Governorship campaign organisation and the outgoing vice Chairman of the APC in Lagos Foaud Oki, who emerged the chairman of the Lagos APC in a parallel congress. This has raised questions about Tinubu’s political empire in the state and indeed the southwest, and if it is beginning to crumble.
Political analysts and lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, (SAN) David Bayesha said it was natural that long-time political dominance is challenged eventually, adding that with the renewed political consciousness people were seeking opportunity to express themselves.
Sources tell BusinessDay that Ambode is definitely in the Tinubu camp despite the cracks within the party and that his performance in the first term means that he is most likely to get endorsement of Tinubu for a second term. Analysts note that the delay in Ambode’s declaration of his second term ambition is unlikely to affect his chances considering that even the opposition parties are yet to present a candidate for the position.
JOSHUA BASSEY
