Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has reportedly flown to Abuja to beg National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to support his re-election bid in 2019.
This is following Tinubu’s insistence that all aspirants in Lagos, including the governor, must go through direct primaries to secure the party’s ticket ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Tinubu is believed to be backing Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the boss of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSDPC), to replace Ambode in Lagos.
The Punch quoted an APC source as saying that Ambode met Tinubu in his Abuja home on Saturday and begged for forgiveness and support for second term.
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The source was quoted as saying that the move was part of efforts to enthrone peace in the state ahead of the polls.
“Yes, it was part of the efforts we are making from this end to save the party from crisis in the state and the nation. The governor came to beg Tinubu in his residence in Abuja to forgive him. I think the appeal helped to reduce the tension and soften the ground for the governor. It is, however, difficult to say if that had ended the crisis.
“Some governors have also called the national leader, pleading with him to save their ‘poster boy’ the humiliation of not getting a second term. Their fears are that such development in Lagos, which is the economic nerve centre of the country, could have negative effect on the fortunes of the party in other states,” the source said.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari was said to have directed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole to intervene in the matter.
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However, Tinubu was said to have failed to give the national chairman any specific assurances but arrived at an arrangement with Osinbajo.
The Herald could not confirm the details of the said “arrangement” between Tinubu and the vice president.
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