Details: Behind The Talks, Sanwo-Olu Is Lobbying For 2nd Term

Behind the emerging talks that Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos state is lobbying for a second term is a contrary position by those close to the 56year old.

Insiders conversant with the ways of the Alumnus of the John F. Kennedy School of Government, London Business School, and the Lagos Business School assert he is not engaged in any move to extend his tenure.

“That is not to say that if he is given the chance he won’t accept the opportunity to improve on his performance in serving Lagos” societynow.ng learned.

This development comes in the face of increasing talks that Sanwo-Olu, an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) agreed to a pact of a single term with the decision-makers in Lagos state before he was backed to become Governor in 2019.

According to the details milling around the political circle in Lagos state, the alleged agreement was that Sanwo-Olu – a Christian – would see out a single term to complete the two terms that should have been served by Akinwunmi Ambode, also a Christian.

“Aside from competence, religion will also play a huge part in determining who becomes the next Governor of Lagos state” societynow.ng learned.

The information at hand revealed it is based on this claim that insiders within the Tinubu political family – and majorly Muslims – are decorated with talks of moves to succeed Sanwo-Olu in 2023.

Atop the names of top contenders being bandied about town are Lagos state head of service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, and Speaker of Federal House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila.

Those close to Sanwo-Olu, however, insist that the claims that he is fighting to get another term in the face of these growing talks of interest in his position from other persons are not correct.

They claim that the Governor is a simple man who is focused solely on building on his performances in different sectors of the economy till he sees out his days in office.

“He succeeded Ambode when he was not even among one of the major contenders and that was at a time nobody has seen how well he can perform. His handling of Covid-19, Endsars, and the aftermaths remain reference points as well as his records in other spheres including education. He doesn’t need to lobby or campaign for another term, his works speak for him, and just like how he became Ambode’s successor, if it is God’s will that he will get another term, he will” societynow.ng gathered that this is the position of the Governor and his key men.

Ambode infamously became the first Governor of Lagos state to be limited to a single term when he fell out with the “establishment” serving as the power behind the throne led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The former Governor was accused of abandoning the blueprint for a greater Lagos.