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The Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that the governorship seat in the state is not a gift to be handed to the Bola Tinubu family.
Naija News reports that this reaction follows the recent group campaigns and endorsement of Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Tinubu, to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the next Governor of Lagos State.
PDP, however, has said that Lagosians would resist any attempts to impose the president’s son as the next to attain the state’s highest political position in 2027.
In a statement issued during the week, the state PDP spokesperson, Hakeem Amode, said, “Lagos will not serve him.”
Amode inquired about the appropriateness of governorship as an inherited position, indicating that it is unsuitable for a son to succeed his father in such a capacity.
He emphasized that should the Tinubu faction employ strategies akin to those previously utilized in Ondo and Edo states, they would encounter significant opposition.
“Governorship is not a gift,” he stated.
Power Not Birthright Of Tinubu’s Family – Deji Adeyanju
Speaking on the political moves in the state, a Human Rights Activist, Deji Adeyanju, characterized Seyi Tinubu’s endorsement as absurd.
Adeyanju asserts that it demonstrates how the citizens of Lagos State are being disregarded.
He questioned whether Nigeria, specifically Lagos State, operates under a monarchical system, where leadership is handed down from father to son, despite a democratic society filled with qualified and capable individuals.
He stated that such occurrences arise from the absence of genuine elections, emphasizing that what is often presented as an election is merely a process of ‘selection.’
While acknowledging that every individual has the right to run for office, Adeyanju urged the political leaders of Lagos State to take action.
“It is a laughable endorsement because they have underrated Lagos people. If they rate them, such calls would not even be arising.
“Is Lagos a monarchy state, where the Tinubu’s family is supreme? Is it that power is the birthright of the Tinubu family?
“Is there something that people don’t know that should be known about them? Because I just don’t understand and can’t explain it.
“It makes no sense that they underrated Lagos people. And it’s because elections don’t take place there; it’s just selection. And because strong political officeholders are never held accountable by the people, that’s why things go the way they go.
“Nigeria is practising federalism and not a monarchy where political powers are being inherited from the father to the son.
“It, therefore, behoves the political actors of Lagos State to stand up and do what is right for the state,” the Legal practitioner said in a chat with Daily Post.
Seyi Tinubu For Governor
The call for Seyi Tinubu to become the next Governor of Lagos in 2027 started with the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL).
Naija News understands that the group officially endorsed the President’s son for the Lagos governorship position in a recent statement issued in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The Coalition emphasized that Seyi Tinubu has consistently demonstrated his selflessness through various philanthropic efforts.
They highlighted his presence and support during the flooding in Borno State, where Seyi and his team extended their sympathies and assistance to those affected, whose properties, homes, and livelihoods were devastated by the disaster.
“He gave a lot of gift items, food, home utensils, drugs and money to the affected persons during that period when the sad event took place,” the coalition said.
The Lagos branch of the Middle Belt Youths has also expressed support during a press conference featuring Dr. Stanley Augustine Kavwam, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Middle Belt Forum, alongside the group’s National Youth Leader, Capt. Brent Kane.
They called upon Seyi to take a more prominent role in the 2027 elections, characterizing him as the leader that Lagos requires.
Similarly, a socio-political organization known as Friends of Seyi Tinubu (FOST) has officially endorsed Seyi Tinubu for the upcoming 2027 election.
The organization praised him as a visionary leader, highlighting his unique combination of intellect, empathy, and strategic insight.
They asserted that Seyi Tinubu represents the ideal candidate to propel Lagos State towards a future characterized by prosperity and innovation.
In a statement issued by its president, Comr. Adejorin Tai Manuel, it was noted that Seyi Tinubu’s philanthropic efforts, leadership skills, and dedication to societal advancement demonstrate his preparedness to assume the role of governor.
Ruling Lagos Not The Job Of Boys – Igbokwe
Meanwhile, a notable member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, was one of the first prominent politicians to condemn Seyi Tinubu’s endorsement as the next governor of Lagos.
Igbokwe said the Lagos Governorship role is not the job for boys, labelling the endorsements as a strategy to undermine President Tinubu.
“Who are these faceless people pushing Seyi Tinubu for Lagos governor? This is a needless distraction. To pull PBAT down is their target. Ruling Lagos is not the job of boys,” Igbokwe wrote on his Facebook page recently.
Similarly, a youth group under the aegis of the Coalition of Lagos Indigenous Youths rejected the endorsement, saying there was no vacancy for a non-indigene to occupy the Alausa Government House.
“Our attention has been drawn to the recent endorsement of Seyi Tinubu for Lagos governor by a group known as Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, CONYL, and the group is described as the umbrella body of all the youth groups drawn across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
“The said Coalition sat in Owerri, Imo State and publicly issued the statement of endorsement.
“While we know Mr Seyi Tinubu has his democratic rights as a Nigerian, we condemn the ill-fated endorsement and describe it as anti-democracy and a deliberate move by some faceless individuals to deny indigenes of Lagos State the right to govern themselves in 2027.
“It is no longer news that since 1999, no true blood indigene of Lagos State has taken over the mantle of leadership in the State (except one), the marginalization which underscores the essence of democracy and an outright denial of the indigenes of Lagos State the right to govern themselves.
“We know as a fact that there will soon be vacancy in Osun State where Mr Seyi Tinubu can best exercise his democratic rights unhindered.
“And if the people of Owerri in Imo are also interested in benefiting from the experience Mr Seyi Tinubu has acquired in recent times, they can push him to succeed Governor Uzodinma.
“As for us there is no vacancy for non-indigenes in Lagos State in 2027. The marginalization is too much and the marginalization has led to the underdevelopment in the state,” the group said.
