The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed as illogical and imaginary, assertions of a challenge by the immediate past governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode against the incumbent, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The party in a statement made available to The Liberation News admonished the Ambode supporters not to overrate its political significance because it would not pander to spurious claims by a group suffering from paranoia despite the party’s avowed respect for internal democracy.
This according to it is because the group’s claims lack merit, devoid of any substance.
The party’s position was an aftermath of revelations over the weekend by Olawale Oluwo, former Commissioner for Energy in the Ambode’s government that the former governor is set to challenge Sanwo-Olu for the APC governorship ticket.
While reacting through a strongly worded statement signed by its acting Publicity Secretary, Hon. Yesiro Karamo on the Ambode comeback onslaught, the party stated: “Our attention has been been drawn to the distractive interview by a faceless group which calls itself Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Group led by one Olawale Oluwo.
“For starters, the promoters of the group , if they are truly members of Lagos State All Progressives Congress, ought to know that the activities of clandestine groups have been banned because of their divisive tendencies.
“It is also interesting that it has taken three years after the ouster of the Ambode administration in the state for such a group to spring up and claim relevance.
“However, they could be pardoned because it is in the spirit of the season. It is worthy to recall that the Lagos state APC had earlier made it clear that the endorsement of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC ) for another term in office did not foreclose the ambition of any other member.
“It is distasteful and unacceptable for a group purportedly committed to our party to take on the role of the opposition within.
“While we want to welcome back our members who hitherto left our party to the progressive family, we need to caution them not to unnecessarily heat up the polity with unguided utterances. In their absence, the party successfully conducted congresses at the ward, local, state and national levels to fill party offices.
“The process of reconciliation is also especially in Lagos State making steady progress.
“Therefore, our returning members will be expected to conduct themselves in a manner acceptable under our party’s constitution, rules and guidelines.”
Noting its pride over Sanwo-Olu as against Ambode, the part said: “We remain proud of the landmark achievements of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu.
“He has not only kept faith with kernel of his social contract with Lagosians, the THEMES agenda, he has returned the state to the path of steady progress. He has been a symbol of responsible, stable, responsive , humane and humble leadership. He has indeed delivered on the policies and the politics.”
