The political terrain in Nigeria’s Lagos State became charged and filled with suspense on Tuesday as renowned business mogul, Chief Femi Otedola reportedly received the governorship nomination form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

To heighten this sense of suspense among political observers in the state, the Managing Director of Lagos State Property Development Council (LSDPC), Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu also picked the gubernatorial nomination form of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

These developments came only a day after incumbent governor of the state, Akinwunmi Ambode attended a rally in Alausa where he publicly declared his acceptance to run for a second term in office.

To buttress his resolve, Ambode had with him the APC governorship nomination letter which he collected from the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja.

At that rally, Ambode, largely seen by many Lagosians as the potential undisputed winner of the gubernatorial race in 2019, emphasized that he was not tired of being governor of the state.

That, in itself appeared to be a veiled appeal to powerful interests within the APC who have been widely rumoured to be bent on replacing him as the party’s candidate in 2019.

One of those interests is his political godfather who single-handedly ensured that he became governor in 2015, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu, who is also a National Leader of the APC has so far neither denied nor confirmed the speculations.

As a consequence, the entry of Sanwo-Olu, who has served as Special Adviser to both Tinubu and former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr. Femi Pedro, is bound to be a veritable jolt to Ambode’s ambition and large sections of the APC in Lagos State and national level who support his re-election bid.

Additionally, Ambode’s quest to be re-elected may be facing some major obstacle as over 50 council chairmen loyal to Tinubu, his apparently enstranged godfather,according to one report,  met and pledged their support for Sanwo-Olu, who is believed to be Tinubu’s preferred choice.

 

According to one political observer in the state, Alhaji Mutiu Olajide: “If indeed Sanwo-Olu has picked the APC form, it simply means that Ambode’s position is shaky and  indeed it means the Asiwaju who is the kingmaker in Lagos politics may not be supporting Ambode’s quest to return as governor.

“No APC member in Lagos State, talkless of a managing director of a government agency who is a party insider would be bold enough to pick the form to contest against Ambode if the Asiwaju wanted Ambode to return.”

On the PDP side, the entry of Otedola which was announced by prominent journalist, Dele Momodu on his Twitter handle is obviously a major development. Apart from being an astute businessman whose financial muscle would come in handy in seeking political office, he is also known to be a highly intelligent entrepreneur and a go-getter.

Significantly, he is the son of a former governor of the state, Sir Michael Otedola of blessed memory.

On a very interesting note and as many political observers point out, Femi Otedola hails from Epe which is also Ambode’s home town.

Epe is one of the five divisions of Lagos and it was in an attempt to ensure that a candidate from Lagos East Senatorial District became governor that Ambode was picked to succeed Raji Fashola.

Adds Olajide: “Otedola will get a lot of support from Epe and the entire Lagos East if Ambode is dropped by the APC and if a replacement for him within the party does not come from Lagos East.

“It might just be possible that Otedola and the PDP are already thinking ahead of an emerging political scenario which will surely tilt the odds in their favour.”