AKIN AMBODE
The aspiration of Ambode who is from Ondo state has led to serious tension and gang up against Tinubu among the latter’s associates, other aspirants, party leaders and members.
But sensing an implosion that may cost the party the state governorship seat in next February elections, Tinubu as earlier reported by iReports-ng.com had summoned an emergency meeting for 8pm local time today. Some of the aspirants summoned to the meeting include: Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, Femi Kadiri Hamzat, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Lanre Ope, Tokunbo Wahab, Tola Kasali, Akin Ambode, Supo Shashore and Leke Pitan.
Some of the aspirants who attended the meeting today told iReports-ng.com that they were a bit relieved hearing from Tinubu himself that he has nothing to do with Ambode’s aspiration and as such, everybody should go out and seek the party members support to emerge at the primary. He was quoted as warning that nobody should drop his name as his anointed any more saying that he has gotten to a point in his political life where he wants to serve and be seen as a father to all.
Findings reveal that with the open disclaimer, Tinubu will also try to distance himself from Ambode, a move that will finally nail the Ilaje, Ese Odo Ondo state born Accountant’s aspiration more so that Governor Babatunde Fashola will spend his last kobo to block the emergence of Ambode who was forced out of his government in 2012 over financial impropriety.
“The meeting was a strategic move by Asiwaju because he cannot afford to lose face within the party in Lagos”, one of Tinubu’s aides told iReports-ng.com on the phone. Three of the aspirants who attended the meeting however expressed cautious optimism over the assurance from the party leader. They maintained that they will still need to watch Tinubu for some days before they can take his words serious.
“We will count on his words today but we still need to monitor him close especially any clandestine move to route any moral or financial support to Ambode through Oba of Lagos, Oba Akiolu”, one of them added stressing that “some N20 million was passed through Oba Akiolu to Ambode a day before his declaration at the Onikan stadium some three weeks ago. We are monitoring such secret support.”
The ruling party at the centre, the PDP and President Goodluck Jonathan has been working hard to see an implosion within the Lagos APC so as to take advantage of such for the benefit of the PDP.
Culled from Abusidiqu.