Race to govern Lagos begins Saturday as APC special interest groups endorse Ambode

The race to govern Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, begins Saturday, September 29, 2018 as the state’s ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), conducts primary election for contenders for the governorship position.

Reports say several special interest groups in Lagos APC have already endorsed the candidacy of the incumbent, Akinwunmi Ambode, who is seeking reelection. They say they believe in his sterling performance and reconciliatory conduct, which according to them should earn him the deserved second term in office.

The governor has also approved specialised training for 1,960 that would serve as agents in all the 245 wards in the constitutionally recognised 20 local government areas where the primary election is expected to take place.

This development comes on the heels of the inauguration of the Ambode Campaign Organisation (ACO) coordinators and offices in the three senatorial districts in the state, with functional outposts across the 20 local governments.

In a press release on Thursday from the directorate of media and strategy of ACO, the agents have been selected and trained “to be the eyes and ears of governor Ambode as the candidate of choice in the primary election.”

The statement added that the agents have been tutored to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner as loyal members of the All Progressives Congress who want the best for the party and for democracy by ensuring that the best candidate emerges on a level playing ground.

The governor had on Wednesday reiterated his intention to participate in Saturday’s primary election in line with the preference of the party and the influential Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).

In his declaration on Wednesday, Ambode had stated his intention to seek re-election with a “grateful heart, open arms and a pledge to open and deeper attention to the concerns of this one, big family.”

He also stated that a return of the party’s ticket to him will “guarantee the stability of the state’s growing economy; ensure continuation of the growth and development it has witnessed over time and ensure that the opposition does not take root in Lagos State.”