Head of civil service in Lagos Hakeem Muri-Okunola has denied planning to clinch the state governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the place of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu ahead of the 2023 elections.
Mr Muri-Okunola said in a statement on Sunday that his focus was on his role as head of service.
“My attention has been drawn to several publications linking me with a fictitious race for Lagos State Governor and plots to stop Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term bid,” the statement posted to Twitter by Mr Sanwo-Olu’s senior special adviser on new media, Jubril Gawat, read.
“I hereby dissociate myself from all publications and innuendoes conveying such plots. I reiterate my support for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his administration’s THEMES Agenda – the six-pillar development plan that is the compass for his projects and policies.
“The objective of those behind these publications is obviously to plant a seed of discord between Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and me.
“Contrary to the statements being published by mischief-makers, who are also trying to play the religion card, I am fully focused on carrying out my duties as Head of Service of the Lagos State Government and taking the Public Service to greater heights.”
Sanwo-Olu, who assumed office in May 2019, is seeking re-election. He said in a recent interview on Channels TV that he hopes the electorate would allow him continue his agenda for the state.
The governor clinched the ticket of the APC for the 2019 governorship election in Lagos, defeating the then-governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was in office for just a term.
