kingmakers in Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC), who are expected to make impact in the 2019 general elections

As the battle for the 2019 general elections gains momentum in Lagos State with the commencement of campaigns, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state is expected to ensure that it defeats the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to retain the nation’s former capital which has been under its grip since the country’s return to civil rule in 1999.

But for APC to win next year’s governorship elections, the party will be banking on the support of it gladiators. The ruling party in the Centre of Excellence, without any iota of doubt, would be banking on the leadership of former governor of state and APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Apart from Tinubu, there are other kingmakers, who are expected to play crucial roles in the election. They include members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), the highest decision making body in Lagos APC.

The GAC presently is made up of “22 wise men” who determine the direction the party goes before, during and after any election. Its members are Tinubu; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; incumbent governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Lagos APC chairman, Hon. Tunde Balogun; his predecessor, Prince Henry Ajomale; former Lagos deputy governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; former Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Lagos Central Senatorial District apex leader, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Lagos West Senatorial District apex leader, Prince Rabiu Oluwa; Lagos East Senatorial District leader, Otunba Bushurat Alebiosu and Oba Olatunji Hamzat.

Others are Deputy Director-General of Lagos APC Independent Campaign Group (ICG), Cardinal James Odunmbaku; Second Republic Secretary to Lagos State Government (SSG), Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun; Senator Anthony Adefuye, Chief Lanre Rasak, Prince Murphy Adetoro; Prof. Tunde Samuel, Alhaji Shakiru Seriku (Bamu), Alhaji Mutiu Lawal-Are, Chief M.A. Taiwo, Prince Muyiwa Sosanya and Dr. Abayomi Finnih

Bola Tinubu

The APC national leader is arguably one of the most experienced and influential politicians in Nigeria. Through hard work and commitment, Tinubu, who was once regarded as the face of opposition in Nigeria’s politics, moved APC with the support of many political gladiators, from an opposition to ruling party during the 2015 general elections.

Since he ventured into politics as a senator in the aborted Third Republic, Tinubu has been an active player in politics, especially in Lagos State, where he has been deciding who gets what in the last 19 years. As a member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), he alongside his colleagues fought tirelessly against the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election and for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria, which gave birth to the incumbent Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999.

Tinubu, who was elected on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD) as the first elected Lagos State governor in the present Fourth Republic assumed office as the third elected governor of the state on May 29, 1999 and was re-elected in 2003, not only as Lagos State governor, but also as the only man standing among the six South-West AD governors, who were elected alongside him in 1999.

During his eight years as governor, Tinubu’s philanthropic gesture endeared him to the heart of the masses and he has remained a factor in Lagos politics and Nigeria at large, despite leaving office since 2007. He singlehandedly backed his then Chief of Staff, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to succeed him in 2007 on the platform of the Action Congress (AC). Tinubu was also the brain behind the emergence of incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in 2015 as well as the choice of former Lagos State Commissioner for Training and Pension, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu as APC’s governorship candidate for the 2019 elections.

The APC national leader in the last few years has demonstrated a great spirit in paddling the affairs of APC and many people believe strongly that he will be the main issue in the 2019 elections. There is no doubt that Tinubu, who is fondly called ‘Jargaban Borgu’ and ‘Asiwaju’ is very powerful in Lagos politics considering how he has positioned different people, especially his associates in the past into public office within and outside the state.

Babatunde Fashola

Fashola, as a former governor of Lagos State wrote his name in gold. He governed Lagos between 2007 and 2015 before handing the baton to Governor Ambode and is currently the Minister of Works, Power and Housing.

Fashola has been an active player in the corridor of power since 2003. He was Chief of Staff to Tinubu before he threw his hat into the ring to run for Lagos governorship on the platform of Action Congress (AC). Against all odds, he emerged as the party’s candidate and also won the election.

Fashola, within his first term in office as governor proved that he is an actualizer with lots of remarkable achievements, which made him to win the hearts of many Lagosians. It was his performance that earned him public sympathy amidst intrigues that trailed his second term ticket in 2011.

His remarkable achievements in office also attracted him to President Muhammadu Buhari, who made him a “super minister” by giving him the opportunity to handle three key ministries – Power, Works and Housing.

Fashola without any iota of doubt still have some influence in Lagos politics and this was reflected recently with the emergence of one of his loyalists and former Commissioner of Works, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as running mate to the APC governorship candidate, Sanwo-Olu.

Fashola is expected to play a major role in 2019 general elections to ensure that APC wins in both state and federal elections.

Akinwunmi Ambode

Ambode as a sitting governor has a lot of role to play in the forthcoming general elections despite being denied the opportunity to seek for re-election.

The former Accountant-General of Lagos State, against all odds emerged as APC governorship candidate for the 2015 election and won poll to become the fifth civilian governor of the state. His intension to seek for re-election in 2019 hit the rock as he lost the party’s governorship ticket to Sanwo-Olu.

As the number one citizen in Lagos State, Ambode will play a crucial role during the campaigns to ensure that his party retains the state. He is expected to join other party’s leaders to campaign in all the nooks and crannies of the state to ensure that the APC governorship candidate, Sanwo-Olu and other candidates emerge victorious.

Tunde Balogun

The former Commissioner for Home Affairs is the incumbent chairman of Lagos APC. Since his assumption of office, he has done a lot of things to keep the party together, especially after the primary elections.

Unlike many states, where post-primary elections tore the party apart, Lagos APC is still a formidable platform, except a few members who are still raising voices within the party.

As a number one man in Lagos APC, it is believe that Balogun is among those who will lead the battle for the 2019 general elections for APC to retain the state.

Tajudeen Olusi

Prince Olusi is one of the respected kingmakers in the ruling party. His sterling career in politics spans over 50 years. He is one of the firm believers of the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and has always remained consistent as a progressive in promoting good governance.

Prince Olusi was among those who midwifed Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1990 and first served as the party’s vice chairman in Lagos State before becoming chairman of the party during the aborted Third Republic.

In 1998, prior to the beginning of the present Fourth Republic, which started in May 29, 1999, Prince Olusi became a chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and was among leaders who worked for the emergence of Tinubu as governor in 1999. In 2007, he became the National Vice Chairman (South-West) of Action Congress.

Prince Olusi as a member of the GAC is one of the kingmakers in Tinubu’s political empire and there is a strong belief that all political aspirations in Lagos Central Senatorial District are usually determined by Olusi, being APC’s apex leader in the district.

Bushura Alebiosu

Otunba Alebiosu is the apex leader of APC in Lagos East Senatorial District. The engineer turned politician started politics in 1976 as a councillor in the then Shomolu Local Government of Lagos State. He became a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly in 1979 and was re-elected in 1983.

Since 1999, Bush as Alebiosu is popularly known in Lagos politics has remained one of the leaders of the ruling party, especially in Kosofe area of the state from the AD days to when the party became APC. As the apex leader of Lagos East Senatorial District, Alebiosu will lead other foot-soldiers to ensure that APC wins with landslide in the general elections.

Rabiu Oluwa

Prince Oluwa is a member of GAC and the apex leader of Lagos West Senatorial District of APC, the largest and most populated senatorial zone in the state. The party will rely on him and other party members for APC to win all the elective positions in the senatorial districts.

Olatunji Hamzat

The respected leader of the APC, who is now a traditional ruler in Ogun State, is the father of Obafemi Hamzat, the running mate of APC governorship candidate. Therefore, he will do the needful to ensure that his son and other party’s candidates carry the day during the 2019 general elections.

Oba Hamzat founded Justice Forum, one of the major political group in the ruling party, which plays a role determining who gets what in Lagos. As GAC members, he is expected to play a fatherly role in ensuring that APC has its way again in Lagos come 2019.

Henry Ajomale

The immediate past chairman of Lagos APC is a member of the GAC. He contributed immensely to the ruling party’s success in Lagos State during his tenure as the number one member of the parry.

The former Commissioner for Special Duties was able to deliver the state for his party in the last three general elections.

As chairman of the ruling party under different platforms – Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and APC – he led the party to victory in 2007, 2011 and 2015 general elections as well as local government elections held during his tenure.

Against this backdrop, the party will be counting on his wealth of experience in politics to re-enact the feat come 2019.

James Odunmbaku

Cardinal Odunmbaku is a man of many parts. He is religious leader, astute politician, activist, community leader and successful businessman.

Baba Eto as Odunmbaku is popularly known, is a grassroots mobiliser and he has been an active participant in politics since the aborted Third Republic.

He played a crucial role during the annulled June 12, 1993 election by serving as Special Adviser on Grassroots Affairs to Chief MKO Abiola, the presidential candidate of SDP. He was also the immediate deputy chairman of the Lagos APC.

Odunmbaku is a voice to be reckoned with in APC and one of Tinubu’s foot soldiers, who spearheaded the campaign for the emergence of Sanwo-Olu as APC governorship candidate for the 2019 elections.

As the Deputy Director-General of Lagos APC Independent Campaign Group (ICG), Odunmbaku will work to deliver the state for APC. His influence as a godfather in Ikeja division of the state cannot be overlooked and most APC candidates in the area are banking on his support to achieve their aspirations in 2019.

Abiodun Ogunleye

Prince Ogunleye, a native of Ikorodu in Lagos is a chartered accountant turned politician. He is not a novice in Lagos politics, especially in the ruling party, having served as state chairman of AD and former deputy governor of Lagos State.

He is regarded as APC’s apex leader in Ikorodu division of the state. He was also a two-time commissioner in the state, serving as Commissioner for Health and Social Welfare between 1994 and 1996 as well as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development between 1995 and to 1996, during the military era.

Ogunleye is the shortest serving deputy governor in the political history of Lagos State. He served for only 13 days as deputy to Tinubu before passing the baton to Princess Sarah Sosan on May 29, 2007.

As a member of the GAC, the party will be counting on him and other party leaders to deliver Ikorodu to APC.

Anthony Adefuye

Adefuye, a member of the Senate during the aborted Third Republic and former Lagos State chapter chairman of United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), is one of the kingmakers in Lagos State politics.

He is a respected APC chieftain, especially in Somolu area of the state and this is one of the reasons why politicians usually troop to his Lekki residence to consult with him.

As a member of the GAC, he is one of APC leaders, who will strategise for the party’s victory in the 2019 general elections.

Murphy Adetoro

Prince Adetoro is the first civilian chairman to head both Apapa and Eti Osa council before its delineation. He is one of the respected GAC members with a lot of influence in Eti-Osa Local Government.

Shakiru Seriki

Bamu as Alhaji Seriki is known in APC is a kingmaker in Epe division of the party. In the last few years, he has contributed immensely to the party’s success in the division and other parts of Lagos State. The party will be banking on him and the likes of Chief Lanre Rasak to deliver Epe for APC in 2019.

Olorunfunmi Bashorun

Chief Basorun, a religious leader was Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG) during the Lateef Jakande administration between 1979 and 1983 and was later appointed as Commissioner for Education in October 1983.

Basorun, a banker and legal practitioner was the pioneer Lagos PDP chairman and one of the party’s governorship aspirants for 2003 elections. He later dumped the PDP to pitch his tent with then ruling party, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He is a member of the GAC in Lagos State and respected leader in Ikorodu division of Lagos State.

Mutiu Lawal-Are

Alhaji Are has been an active participant in the ruling party since the AD days. As a member of the GAC, he is one of the respected leaders of the party.

Adeyemi Ikuforiji

He is one of the longest serving members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, as well as the longest speaker, having had the opportunity to steer the ship of the Assembly for uninterrupted eight years.

He was elected into Lagos Assembly in 2003 and got re-elected in 2007 to represent Epe II Constituency. He was again elected into the House ib 2011 to represent Ikeja I Constituency.

He became speaker of the Assembly in 2007 and was re-elected as speaker in 2011. He showed interest in the APC governorship in 2015, but lost the ticket to Ambode.

As a member of the GAC, Ikuforiji is expected to play a major role in 2019 elections to ensure that APC makes a good outing, especially in Epe, where he hails from.

Lanre Rasak

Chief Rasak popularly known as “KLM” is not a pushover in Lagos politics given his experience. The Balogun-General of Epe was a former Commissioner for Transport in Lagos State.

He was one-time governorship candidate of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and later member of the PDP before joining the ruling party. He has a lot of political influence in Epe.

Abayomi Finnih

Dr. Finnih, an obstetrician and gynaecologist founded the famous Finnih Medical Centre, Ikeja. Despite being a medical doctor, Finnih got involved in politics during the time of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

He was a member of the AD and supported his friend, Dr. Wahab Dosumu, for Lagos State governorship in 1999, but Dosunmu lost the party’s ticket to Tinubu.

He dumped AD to for Progressive Action Congress (PAC) and later joined PDP and became the Chairman of Elders Forum of the party in Lagos State. Dr. Finnih later returned to APC and is among the GAC members. He is strong APC leader in Ikeja.

Prof. Tunde Samuel

Prof Samuel is the pioneer Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Epe between 1994 and 2002. He later served as Special Adviser on Education to Tinubu.

The retired professor of Political Economics, who was a delegate to the 2014 National Conference, is one of the decision makers in Agege and the party will bank on his experience in winning the 2019 polls in the area.

Muyiwa Sosanya

Chief Sosanya, a founding president of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) is a respected APC leaders and a member of the GAC.

Chief M.A. Taiwo

Chief M.A. Taiwo, a GAC member, is a former second vice chairman of AD in Lagos State.