The All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State chapter has picked the outgoing CEO of Polaris Bank Tokunbo Abiru as its consensus candidate for the forthcoming Lagos-East senatorial bye-election.
Mr Abiru, a former commissioner for finance in Lagos, had picked his nomination form on Wednesday at the party’s secretariat.
APC assistant publicity secretary Abiodun Salami confirmed the party’s position in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.
He said the choice of Abiru was agreed upon by party elders including the APC national leader Bola Tinubu.
Mr Salami said Abiru had been successfully screened at the party secretariat, adding that all the other aspirants had stepped down for him in agreement with the party.
“Mr Abiru is the consensus candidate of the party; it is confirmed. The elders, under the platform of Governor’s Advisory Council, met and consulted widely and they resolved on the choice of Abiru as the consensus candidate.
“The choice has been endorsed by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; all the other aspirants have stepped down in agreement, it was a unanimous decision,” he said.
Salami said the party would, notwithstanding, still follow the process of affirmation to validate the choice of Abiru as the APC flagbearer for Lagos East Senatorial District.
The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Bayo Osinowo representing the area on June 15.
