Lagos Guber: Why Sanwo-Olu Is Getting More Backers Against “HMO” Okunola

The struggle for who bears the title Governor of Lagos State within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next political dispensation has become more engaging.

Incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is eyeing a second term in the face of unrelenting claims of “understanding” of a single term brought into office.

As the next election to determine the next Governor of Lagos State in the first quarter of next year – 2023 – inches nearer, a major drama reared its head within the state chapter of APC.

Hakeem Muri Okunola, one of the golden sons of the power that be in the politics of Lagos state Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was massively thrown up as the anointed successor to Sanwo-Olu.

Muri Okunola, the son of respected Justice Muritala Okunola (late) is the Lagos State Head of Service.

The youngest person to attain the position ( he was appointed in December 2018, at the age of 48 ).

Though a very influential member of the Sanwo-Olu administration and an integral part of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu inner circle – he is a member of the original golden sons of 4 – the posturing of Muri -Okunola as likely successor was passionately rejected.

The Governance Advisory Council (GAC) – the highest political organ on the Lagos government – was pressured into releasing a statement denying it has tapped the Head of Service as successor to Sanwo-Olu who turns 57 in June 2022.

Societynow.Ng gathered the “denial” by the GAC which did not totally foreclose the possibility of the emergence of Muri-Okunola or any other person as the gubernatorial candidate of the APC for the 2023 general election resulted in other antics to take winds out of the successor talks decorating the Head Of Service friends call “H” or “HMO”.

Further digs by SocietyNow.Ng revealed that the recent posturing of HMO as “successor” and the attempt to “kill it” has earned Sanwo-Olu backers, even from unlike quarters.

“Some of those believed to have interest in the position have switched gear and are now backing Sanwo-Olu for another term because they prefer the status quo than for HMO to take the seat” SocietyNow.Ng gathered.

The information at hand revealed that this move is hinged on the political reading that HMO taking the gubernatorial seat puts another person between them and their ambition and pushes it further down the road.

And there is the issue of pride.

“Being the youngest, HMO becoming the Governor will outrank many of those he calls Egbon (big brother) in the scheme of things” SocietyNow.Ng gathered.

Added revelation has it that an unraveling major play that favors Sanwo-Olu’s second term – and is meant to cage Muri Okunola’s gubernatorial ambition – speaks to the Presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“The talks are that Sanwo-Olu has been the most compliant and non-threatening Governor the establishment has produced, so the status quo should be retained for everybody, members of the political family to stay united in fighting for the bigger game of Asiwaju Tinubu’s presidential ambition” SocietyNow.Ng learned.

Further revelation has it that this narrative with claims of a “win-win situation” is being hugely pushed with increasing numbers of others – older than HMO – interested in the position of Governor of Lagos state buying into it.

“The claim is that at the end of Asiwaju Tinubu’s presidential bid, whatever the outcome, there will be more options to play around with for all those concerned” SocietyNow.Ng gathered.