The Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary has been shifted from Sunday to Monday as tension continues to rise over who becomes the party’s candidate in the 2019 election.
Chieftain of the party and a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the Lagos APC, Senator Anthony Adefuye, announced the postponement to party members on Saturday at a stakeholders’ meeting.
He said the GAC, the highest decision-making body of the chapter, has also endorsed Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the candidate for the election after the meeting which lasted for several hours.
Adefuye said the meeting was chaired by national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, and was attended by other prominent members of the party.
Adefuye listed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, majority leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, as some of those also at the meeting.
He said that the decision to back Sanwo-Olu, a former commissioner for training and establishment, against the incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode was in the interest of the state and the party.
Adefuye also announced that the governorship primary had been postponed from Sunday to Monday but gave no reason for the shift.
He confirmed to the crowd that another aspirant, a former commissioner for works, Obafemi Hamzat, had withdrawn from the race and had endorsed Sanwo-Olu.
“There was a GAC meeting held this morning which was attended by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker, House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and others.
“This meeting was chaired by our national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. This is a meeting that we started at 10 am and we couldn’t finish early.
“After the meeting, I have been mandated by the GAC to announce this to you.
“The gubernatorial primary earlier scheduled for tomorrow, September 30th, has been shifted to Monday, October 1.
“Also, the GAC was informed by Dr Obafemi Hamzat of his decision to graciously step down and endorse Jide Sanwo-Olu.
“GAC has endorsed Babajide Sanwo-Olu as its preferred candidate ahead of the primary,” he added.
