By Dapo Akinrefon

The National leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu and the Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Fashola were yesterday locked in a final battle over who becomes governor of Lagos next year.

The final battle culminated at the party’s governorship primaries at the Onikan Stadium.

It was, however, obvious from the ambience that the usual harmony that had existed among the party faithful was absent given the perceived frosty relationship among the aspirants.

Such manifested when former Accountant General, Lagos State, Mr Akinwumi Ambode, who was the last of the aspirant to arrive the venue came in shortly before the commencement of voting.

It was noticeable that all was not well in the APC given the expression on the faces of the other 11 contestants when moved around to felicitate with them.

Earlier indication were rife that 11 aspirants jostling for the plum job might boycott yesterday’s exercise.

Reason: As at 12: 31 pm, Vanguard received an invite requesting for its presence to cover a press conference scheduled to hold at 3pm. Given the timing of the event, it indicated that boycott was imminent.

The text read: “Good afternoon sir, Barr Tokunbo Wahab and 10 other aspirants will be hosting a live press conference at Southern Sun from 3pm today (yesterday). Kindly help inform your colleagues. Thanks from Lekan Lawal.”

The Ambode factor

While Tinubu rooted for Ambode to succeed Fashola, the incumbent governor was queuing behind his former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Supo Shasore to succeed him.

It was gathered that at the primaries, Ambode was clearly the favourite, against Fashola’s disposition.

The governor first put forward his Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Kadri Hamzat as his choice, but dumped him for Sasore.

Though 12 governorship aspirants indicated interest to participate in the primaries but 11 of the aspirants vying for the party’s the ticket opposed to a primary scheduled yesterday to choose its candidate.

In a statement before the exercise, the aggrieved aspirants described the primary as a ruse orchestrated by former Tinubu to impose his candidate, warning that they were prepared to resist the scheme.

They demanded a halt to the primaries.

Rather, they called for either a consensus arrangement or the election of delegates who will then constitute an electoral college to vote on December 4.

Those who participated in the primaries yesterday, include Senator Ganiyu Solomon, House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Yemi Ikuforiji, Mrs. Tokunbo Agbesanwa, the only woman in the race, former Health Commissioner Dr. Tola kasali, and former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode.

Others are Commissioner for Works Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, former Health Commissioner Dr. Leke Pitan, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Supo Shasore (SAN), Tokunbo Wahab, and Mr. Tayo Ayinde.