A campaign group working for the immediate past Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has vowed to stop the second coming of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The group indicated its readiness to ensure Ambode returns to the office in 2023..
The group also hinted of plans to send Sanwo-Olu out of office in 2023.
The Chairman of AMCO and former Commissioner for Energy and Mineral resources, Wale Oluwo, made this known during a radio programme, CityTalks, with Reuben Abati.
He explained that Ambode has been working “silently” to put structures in place that would displace the leadership of Sanwo-Olu in Lagos State in 2023.
This is coming about a week after the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, reportedly endorsed Sanwo-Olu for the second term in office.
The former governor’s group leader faulted GAC for endorsing Sanwo-Olu, saying the position of GAC is not a reflection of Lagos APC members.
“GAC doesn’t have such powers. Ambode did well. AMCO candidates will pick the nomination forms next week. We want to be the driver of that change in Lagos,” he said.
According to him, though they are in support of Ambode, he may not emerge as the group’s candidate.
Oluwo said, “Ambode is seriously interested in what happens in Lagos in 2023 and that interest aligns with the expectation of the people. We will lead people to their expectations.”
On how Ambode would displace Sanwo-Olu despite being silent for almost four years, Oluwo said, “Ambode might have been silent but he is very effective in organising AMCO and his people. The result of that will be seen very soon.
“You don’t need a federal appointment to fight for your space in your state. You just need the right strategy and funding. AMCO is not bereft of that. AMCO is a major group in APC, we will participate in the election and be victorious by the grace of God.
“We are back to implement the change we desired in 2019. Our people have been collecting the nomination forms. Making noise about the forms collected doesn’t add any value to your form. We will collect the governorship form next week.”
Oluwo also noted that Bola Tinubu is not his preferred presidential aspirant.
When asked what Ambode’s game plan was after failing to win the party’s ticket in 2018, he replied, “We cannot compare 2019 with 2023, they are not the same. This is because the national leadership of the party we had in 2019 is not the same that we have in 2022.”
He claimed that a study had been conducted and the outcome showed Lagosians are not getting dividends of democracy under the present administration compared to what was obtainable during Ambode’s administration in the state.
He noted that Ambode would be guided by a suggestion that he (Ambode) should “communicate more with the people when we return to power”.
The party will have the option of determining which of the candidates, either AMCO or GAC, they will like to vote for. We acknowledge that Sanwo-Olu has picked his nomination form, the AMCO candidate will also do his own; and the primary will happen.
“For AMCO, we are participating at all levels of the election. From governorship to the House of Assembly. We will field candidates for all positions. Our candidate will not be Akinwunmi Ambode. We will ensure internal democracy. We will present our own aspirants and they would challenge the governorship and other seats in Lagos.
“The process of presenting our own candidates is almost concluded and I can assure you that by early next week, the candidates will be announced. The GAC is only promoting their own interests by announcing Sanwo-Olu as their candidate.”