Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Lagos East senatorial bye-election Tokunbo Abiru has denied speculation that he is in a power contest with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Mr Abiru, who resigned as MD/CEO of Polaris Bank to seek political office, stated this in a statement from his media office on Wednesday.
A recent newspaper article suggested that the APC national leader Bola Tinubu imposed Abiru on the party leaders in Lagos East and the state and that Abiru’s sudden resignation raised suspicion that might lead to questions being asked about the future of Mr Sanwo-Olu.
“The publication erroneously claimed that the APC national leader imposed Abiru on the party leaders in Lagos East and Lagos State. This claim is far from the truth,” the statement said.
“Asiwaju Tinubu, as an unrepentant democrat and a former governor, encourages all party adherents and faithful to seek their aspirations while promoting the values that the APC stands for.
“However, in order to manage conflicting interests of all aspirants seeking the party nomination for the senatorial bye-election, the leadership arm of Lagos APC, Governance Advisory Council (GAC), embarked on broad consultation with all party leaders and aspirants in Lagos East Senatorial District. After the all-inclusive consultation, consensus was reached in favour of Mr. Abiru, hence his subsequent affirmation.”
On power struggle between the governor and Abiru, the statement said: “This claim is as good as the figment of the author’s imagination. HE Sanwo-Olu is a strong supporter of Abiru’s senatorial aspiration. He also endorsed him. There is no basis for power struggle.
“Rather, both HE Sanwo-Olu and Mr. Abiru are party faithful with interest to work for the progress and prosperity of Lagos and Nigeria at large.”
Abiru retired from Polaris Bank effective August 31, 2020, having successfully completed his second two-year tenure.
Lagos East senatorial bye-election is scheduled for October 31. The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Bayo Osinowo.
