Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday
totally played down speculation of rift with the National Leader of All
Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saying reports to such effect
were untrue.
Both the social and traditional media have been flooded with
news of a major rift between Tinubu and Governor Ambode over alleged
disagreement on the second term bid of the Governor.
Addressing party faithful in Epe during the election of
delegates for the Presidential primary election and national convention of the
party, Governor Ambode said the reports indicating a fight between him and
Tinubu were out of place and that there was no fight anywhere.
"I want you to know that there is no fight anywhere.
The National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and my good self we are not in
any fight, we are not in any controversy.
"We are praying to God that the best is yet to come and
the best will be what Lagos State deserves and I want you to just continue with
your prayers that at this time, God will show His hand and make sure that
everything that is of blessing to Lagos State and also blessing of Epe will
come to pass," Governor Ambode said.
He specifically commended all the leaders and party faithful
who contributed to the success of the delegates' election in Epe, saying APC
remained the party to beat in Lagos and Nigeria.
"We have just concluded our Delegates' Election in Epe
Local Government and by consensus, we have picked our three delegates that will
be going to the National Convention come October 6 for the Presidential direct
primaries and the convention for all other people.
"I want to say a very big thank you to all our
delegates that are present here; I want to say a big thank you to all our
leaders that have also supported us to make sure that this event has come and
is done very successfully.
"I want to reiterate once again that our party, All
Progressives Congress (APC) remains the party to beat; we are the party at the
national level and we are going to remain the party in the State," the
Governor said.
At the event which was held at APC's Secretariat in
Aiyetoro, Epe, Alhaji Shakiru Seriki (Bamu), Otunba Bode Alausa and Mrs.
Olayinka Oladunjoye, the State' Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and
Cooperatives, were elected as national delegates from Epe division which
comprises of one Local Government Area (Epe) and two Local Council Development
Areas (Eredo and Ikosi-Ejirin).
The party leaders and faithful in the division also took
turn to affirm their unalloyed support for the second term bid of the Governor.
They include the Chairman of Epe Local Government, Adedoyin
Adesanya; Chairman of Eredo LCDA, Saliu Adeniyi; Chairman of Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA,
Samson Onanuga: party chairman in Epe Local Government, Otunba Kehinde Adeniyi;
State Welfare Officer, Alhaja Abiodun Bankole; former member of House of
Representatives representing Epe, Hon Bola Gbabijo and member of Lagos State
House of Assembly representing Epe Constituency II, Segun Olulade.
Others are APC Women leader in Epe, Mrs Iyabo Adegboyega;
LGA party secretary, Alhaji S.A Owolomose; youth leader, Abdul Ibrahim; Otunba
Bode Alausa, Akin Oladipupo, among others.
Youths in the division also staged a peaceful protest
displaying placards of various inscriptions to affirm their support for the
Governor's second term bid.
