No plan to replace Sanwo-Olu, Lagos leaders

No plan to replace Sanwo-Olu, says Lagos leaders

By Kole Sadiku

There are no plans to replace the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governance Advisory Council, (GAC) has said.

The influential Council also dismissed reports that that Muslims and Christians were fighting over who becomes the next Governor of Nigeria’s most prosperous state.

The Governance Advisory Council said  it has not picked   replacement for the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The social media was awashed with reports that Muslims and Christians were jostling for who becomes the next Governor and that the pendulum has already skewed in favour of the current Secretary to the State Government, ( SSG) Hakeem Muri Okunola.

GAC said the reports were false.

In a statement released by GAC and made available to Irohinoodua on Sunday described the message was being spread by vendors of hate and discord, adding that it aimed to create disharmony.

The statement read, “The attention of the Governance Advisory Council has been drawn to a vexatious post circulating on WhatsApp purporting that the GAC, party leaders and stakeholders have settled for a replacement for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

“Ordinarily, we would not have dignified such an anonymous post with any response. However, because of the possibility that some unwary persons may believe the words contained therein and interpret them as factual, the GAC would like to state as follows:

“That the GAC has not settled for any person to replace Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu as governor. Therefore, it is absolutely false and preposterous for anyone to suggest so.

”That the process of picking a Governor is clearly stated in the constitution. And contrary to the false impression the merchant of hate, confusion, discord and disharmony wanted to create with the post, there is no discussion of second term ticket by the GAC.

”It should also be pointed out that it is not within the realm of GAC to engage in picking replacements for a governor.

”Importantly, the Independent National Electoral Commission has not signalled the commencement of the process for governorship election in Lagos State.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu was elected for a 4-year tenure which is still ongoing. The matter of replacement of the governor does not arise and is patently subjudice. Governor Sanwo-Olu is doing a wonderful job delivering infrastructure projects for Lagos and working daily on making the state better for all its residents.

“Finally, we urge those behind this dangerous, dysfunctional and misguided post to desist forthwith.”