Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said reports of a rift between him and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu were untrue.
A statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr Habib Aruna, in Lagos, faulted reports of a major rift between Tinubu and Ambode over the governor’s second term bid.
Aruna quoted Ambode as telling party faithful in Epe during the election of delegates for the presidential primary election and national convention that the reports indicating a fight between him and Tinubu were out of place, and there was no fight anywhere.
“I want you to know that there is no fight anywhere. The National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and my good self we are not in any fight, we are not in any controversy.
“We are praying to God that the best is yet to come and the best will be what Lagos State deserves and I want you to just continue with your prayers that at this time, God will show His hand and make sure that everything that is of blessing to Lagos State and also blessing of Epe will come to pass,” Ambode was quoted as saying.
The governor commended leaders and party faithful who contributed to the success of the delegates’ election in Epe, saying APC remained the party to beat in Lagos and Nigeria.
“We have just concluded our Delegates’ Election in Epe Local Government and by consensus, we have picked our three delegates that will be going to the National Convention come October 6 for the presidential direct primaries and the convention for all other people.
“I want to say a very big thank you to all our delegates that are present here; I want to say a big thank you to all our leaders that have also supported us to make sure that this event has come and is done very successfully.
“I want to reiterate once again that our party, All Progressives Congress (APC), remains the party to beat; we are the party at the national level and we are going to remain the party in the state,” the governor said.
According to the statement, the event was held at APC’s secretariat in Aiyetoro, Epe, with three national delegates from Epe Division — Alhaji Shakiru Seriki (Bamu), Otunba Bode Alausa and Mrs Olayinka Oladunjoye, the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, elected.
The division comprises one Local Government Area (Epe) and two Local Council Development Areas (Eredo and Ikosi-Ejirin).
The party leaders and faithful, according to the statement, also took turn to affirm their support for Ambode’s second term bid.
Those listed include the Chairman of Epe Local Government, Adedoyin Adesanya; Eredo LCDA Chairman Saliu Adeniyi; Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA Chairman Samson Onanuga and party chairman in Epe Local Government Otunba Kehinde Adeniyi.
Also included are State Welfare Officer Alhaja Abiodun Bankole; former House of Representatives member representing Epe, Hon Bola Gbabijo and House of Assembly member representing Epe Constituency II, Segun Olulade.
The APC Women Leader in Epe, Mrs Iyabo Adegboyega; LGA party secretary, Alhaji S.A Owolomose; youth leader, Abdul Ibrahim; Otunba Bode Alausa, Akin Oladipupo, among others, were also listed among the party faithful at the event.
