2015 GUBER ELECTION IKUFORIJI, GOS, MUIZ BANIRE JOSTLE FOR LAGOS HOUSE

GOS

MUIZ BANIRE

ADEYEMI IKUFORIJI

 2015 elections may be two years away, but the race for the office of the Governor of Lagos State has begun in full force. Interested politicians from the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) have started subtle campaign for the coveted office, and all avenues are being explored by the aspirants to sell themselves to the party leaders. Leading aspirants from the party, who are interested in the office after Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola must have completed his two-terms in office, include the incumbent Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. (Hon.) Adeyemi Ikuforiji.
The Epe-born politician, sources said, has all it takes to get to the office despite his case with the anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a Lagos high court.
Though he has not come out boldly to announce his interest in the office, Ikuforiji is said to be favoured by the leaders of the party for the office and if everything works out well, it is possible for him to be chosen as the party's candidate at the primaries, which comes up next year.
Another gladiator favoured for the post is Senate Minority Whip, Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS). A one-time Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Lagos, and a former member of the House of Reps, GOS has openly declared his intention to slug it out with some Asiwaju Bola Tinubu boys, whose eyes are on the coveted seat.
Ganiyu Solomon declared recently that 'I'm the next Lagos Governor.' He said this during an interactive interview on the Nigerian Television Authority. He was said to have once told a reporter in the Lagos State Television (LTV 8) that he would be the next Governor of the state. A former commissioner for the Environment in the state, who is now the National Legal Adviser of the party, Hon. Muiz Banire is also said to be interested in the office.
Sources close to Inside Lagos revealed that Banire has been lobbying the party leaders and his calculation is that as a man, who has seen it all and who controls large followers in the party, the party would have to settle for his candidature, when the chips are down.
However, a chieftain of the ACN, who did not want his name in prints, disclosed that nobody knows what would happen in 2015. He insisted that the party is still searching for a credible candidate for the election.
Asked if ACN would settle for one of those, whose names are being mentioned in the media, he replied that no one could say what would happen next, but that all hands are on deck to ensure the party presents someone the people would accept at the polls as the party cannot afford to lose its hold on Lagos State regarded as the centre of excellence in the country.

February 25, 2013