A key PDP official in Lagos, Genius Taofik has expressed his opinion ahead of the 2023 elections.
According to the Lagos state PDP former spokesman, former governor Akinwunmi Ambode’ s chances in the main opposition party are enhanced by the fact that he was a former governor of Lagos state.
Additionally, the former PDP spokesman stated that the party’ s door is open and capable of accommodating everybody as long as the party’ s regulations are adhered to.
Additionally, the PDP have been able to successfully recruit a faction of the APC (Lagos4Lagos) Led by Abdulazeez Adejare know as Jandor.
PDP Chieftain Woos Ambode, Declaring His Chances Are Better With PDP
The contest to see who succeeds President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to dominate political discourse.
Recently, a Lagos state Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Ganiu Taofik, stated that the PDP’ s gate is wide open to receive former governor Akinwunmi Ambode and any politician ready to follow the party’ s laws.
Taofik, who said this in an exclusive interview with THE PUNCH on Tuesday, February 1, also stated that Ambode has an opportunity to run for governor of Lagos again in 2023 if he joins the PDP.
The former PDP spokesman in Lagos voiced confidence in the PDP’ s ability to unseat the All Progressives Congress in the next governorship race in Lagos.
According to Taofik:
” Anybody can join the party and we are ready to allow as many as possible to try their popularity using our platform. ”
Ambode’ s prospects in the PDP
When asked whether Ambode is among those permitted to join the PDP, the PDP chieftain responded, ” Of course, and any other person. ”
He continued:
” He should have (some chances) having been a governor of the state. He would undoubtedly have supporters and, of course, those against whom he may have stepped. ”
Advancing as a political party in the upcoming election
The former Lagos PDP spokesman stated that the party would monitor APC’ s blunders across the country and capitalise on them in order to become Nigerians’ darling in 2023.
Recall that in 2018, prior to the 2019 general elections, there was a disagreement in the Lagos APC chapter over the second term ambition of Ambode.
The National Leader of the APC, Tinubu was said to be displeased with Ambode hence, he rooted for a new candidate; current governor, Babajide Sanw- olu.
On his part Ambode had disagreed to drop his ambition until he lost in the primaries to Sanwo- olu.
Daily Trust reported last March on why he (Tinubu) never supported Ambode, he identified poor leadership ability as reason for his failure to support Akinwumi Ambode for a second term as governor of Lagos State.
The opinion by the PDP chieftain may be percieved as a coup as it may unsettle the APC which in turn will be a factor to troubling the ambition of Tinubu.
This can be seen in the recent detection of the Lagos4Lagos former APC faction to the opposition PDP with the aim of terminating the Godfatherism in Lagos state.
Logos4Lagos Defection To The PDP, Posing A Threat To Tinubu
In another development that could be interpreted as a brewing controversy, DAILY TRUST reported in January that leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from across the country descended on Lagos State for a grand reception of Abdulazeez Adejare, popularly known as Jandor, the convener of the Lagos4Lagos Movement.
Abdulazeez Adejare, popularly known as Jandor, the convener of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, was viewed as the biggest catch in a state dominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has always faced challenges since becoming governor of the state in 1999.
The opposition PDP has pledged to terminate the APC’ s hegemony in the state, and they are bolstered by the ruling party’ s rancorous congresses.
Seye Oladejo, the Lagos APC’ s spokesman, has even labelled him a party mole.
Jandor’ s admission to the opposition party has energised the opposition to pursue its aim of governing the country.
According to JoseyWrites, regardless of what the APC thinks of him, Jandor’ s ceremonial admission to the PDP has given the opposition the motivation to actualize its dream of governing the state after years of failure at the hands of the ruling party. Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); and Nyesome Wike (Rivers) were among those that descended in Lagos for Jandor.
However, the anger among APC members gives an ideal opportunity for the opposition to seize control by luring some of the party’ s disaffected members to work against the party and pave the way for the opposition’ s win in the upcoming election. This is a significant gap that the adversary can exploit and exploit well.
” We declare no more slavery in Lagos. By this time next year, we will have a PDP governor in the state, ” Dr Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP’ s national chairman, declared at Jandor’ s grand reception.
While Ayu claimed that Jandor’ s admission to the PDP reunited the party in the state, this may not be the case, since several factions within the party continue to work in opposition to one another. This is why the state chapter has failed to appoint a real executive following the aborted October 2021 congress.
Many think that the Lagos PDP, as it currently stands, lacks the coherence and unity necessary to demystify the ruling party; thus, it requires unity of purpose and individuals willing to sacrifice their aspirations and egos in order to work for the party.
Chief Olabode George, a former vice chairman of the PDP, was aware of this when he urged party members to work cooperatively to win the 2023 elections.
Ambode Calls On Youths To Get Their PVC’ s
Meanwhile, following an extended period of silence since leaving office in 2019, Ambode has urged Nigerian youngsters to register and obtain Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in order to vote in the 2023 elections, declaring that power is in their hands.
Ambode communicated this via a post on his official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles.
He also expressed gratitude to Lagosians for endorsing his efforts to the state’ s development.
” The youths are coming. The power is in their hands. Go and get your Permanent Voters Card (PVC) ready. Your future is NOW!
” After all we have been through, God has been faithful. Thank you for the overwhelming endorsement of our modest contributions to the growth of Lagos. It can only get better for Lagos, and indeed Nigeria, ” Ambode stated ” .
Ambode has been absent from political functions since he left government in 2019. preferring the tranquil atmosphere.
Ambode served as governor of Lagos State from 2015 to 2019 and was defeated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary by Babajide Sanwo- Olu.
He was the first Lagos State governor to serve a four- year term since the state’ s return to democracy in 1999.
Prior to Ambode, Babatunde Fashola, the current Minister of Works and Housing, served as governor of Lagos from 2007 to 2015, while Tinubu served as governor from 1999 to 2007.
Although Ambode has not declared his desire to run for political office in 2023, he is constitutionally allowed to serve another four- year term if the voter so wishes.