Sanwo-Olu inaugurates campaign organisation
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Babajide Sanwo-Olu, one of the aspirants for the governorship of Lagos State election under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was said to have on Thursday inaugurated his campaign organisation, setting the stage for an epic battle in the 2019 gubernatorial election if he secures APC’s ticket.
The APC is holding its governorship primary election in two weeks’ time. Three party’s members, incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Babafemi Hamzat, a former works and infrastructure commissioner, and Sanwo-Olu, managing director of Lagos State Property Development Cooperation (LSPDC) have picked up the party’s nomination forms to slug it out for the party’s ticket through a direct primary.
Of the three aspirants, Sanwo-Olu is rumoured to have the blessing of the party’s leadership in Lagos, with his nomination allegedly backed by Mandate Group, a political machinery of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos State, who decides the political direction of the state.
A list of the Babajide Sanwoolu campaign organisation tagged ‘BOSCO 2019’ and seen by BusinessDay shows a 21-man team who will coordinate the electioneering campaign of Sanwo-Olu.
The team signed by Tayo Ayinde, Tinubu’s former chief security detail, consists mainly of members of the state House of Assembly and local government chairmen is as follows:
Tayo Ayinde, a former chief security detail to Tinubu, has been named the director general; Abdullah Enilolobo, director of mobilisation; Adeniran Onilude, special duties; Tobi Lawal, fund raising ; SOB Agunbiade, legal, while Wasiu Eshilokun, the deputy speaker of the House of Assembly, is put in charge of research and intelligence.
Others include Kola Egunjobi, who is to coordinate non-governmental organisations, civil society & students; Sesan Dani, media & publicity; Bolaji Ariyo, security; Jimi Benson planning & strategy; Bolanle Akinyemi – Obe, women affairs; Wale Adelana, ethnic affairs, and Ayoola Fatai, who will be in charge of welfare.
Other members are Kolade Alabi, finance; Abiodun Mafe, party affairs; Sulaimon Aleshinloye, medical and safety; Kamal Olohrunoje, volunteers’ group; Fuad Atanda –Lawal, youth; Samuel Olufemi Ogedengbe, religion; Rasak Ajala, coordinator, Lagos West senatorial, Wahab Alawiye King, coordinator Lagos Central; and Mayor Oshinowo, coordinator, Lagos East senatorial district.
Meanwhile, a member Lagos State House of Assembly Sikiru Adebayo Osinowo has been endorsed by the 16 local government council chairmen and local council development area, to contest in the forthcoming primaries of Lagos East senatorial district, a position currently being by Gbenga Ashafa.
JOSHUA BASSEY