By Benjamin Omoike
Speculation that the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, has been penciled to replace Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Governor of Lagos State in 2023, has been described as handiwork of mischief makers by reliable sources.
Impeccable sources in the State House, Alausa, told The Trumpet that the rumour was meant to cause disaffection between the state’s Head of Service and Governor Sanwo-Olu, saying those behind the rumour are mischievous and out to distabilise Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
The social media has been awash with rumours that the National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Governing Advisory Council (GAC), was planning to field Muri-Okunola, popularly known as HMO, as Sanwo-Olu’s successor in 2023 amidst the rumour of the governor’s 2nd term ambition.
But sources in Alausa’s seat of power, said Muri-Okunola knows nothing about the plan, describing the permutation as largely misplaced and an unsubstantiated claim far from the thought-flow of the APC leader. They said Tinubu is more preoccupied with the Nigerian project.
“The rumour is far from being the truth. Like Sanwo-Olu, HMO is too focused in the current task as the number one civil servant in the state. He also finds the rumour laughable and fallacious. It’s a rumour that has always been on for years. I think those behind the rumour are mischievous and want to cause chaos between the two important figures,” he said.
Also speaking, another highly placed source in the State House, said the report was meant to distract both Sanwo-Olu and Muri-Okunola, saying those behind it have realised that mutual relationship exists between the duo and both are not too ambitious on what happens in 2023.
“Anyone who is close to the seat of power would realise how close HMO is close to Mr. Governor. You can see that there is a working synergy between the duo for the good of Lagos State and for the implementation of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.
“2023 general election is around the corner and people will want to create crisis where there is none. HMO and BOS operate like brothers for the good of Lagos State. How can someone come up with such spurious speculations? People need to discard such rumours as baseless,” he said.
Meanwhile, members of the Lagos State Governing Advisory Council (GAC), have debunked the report circulating in the public that it had settled for Hakeem Muri-Okunola as likely successor of Governor Sanwo-Olu on completion of four years term in office.
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The GAC, in a statement released to debunk the claims, said that there was no iota of truth in the rumour.
The statement reads: “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 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.
“Also 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 signaled the commencement of the process for the governorship election in Lagos State.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu was elected for a four-year tenure which is still ongoing. The matter of replacement of the governor does not arise and is patently sub-judice. 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. And finally, we urge those behind this dangerous, dysfunctional, and misguided post to desist forthwith.”
The GAC, however, unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, administration and performance as a reaction to the growing rumour.
They said that Sanwo-Olu had since assumption of office, continued to do well in the area of infrastructure and programmes that touch lives, and performing up to expectations of Lagosians, particularly those of them seating on the governing table.
According to them, the current administration led by the governor is currently working daily on making the state better placed globally among its peers.
The entire members of the body agreed that Sanwo-Olu’s job was satisfactory in the best interest of the state’s residents, just as they distanced their table from speculations flying around that the body had anointed another person as a replacement for the governor’s seat.
