Why AMBODE Is Being Tipped For Governorship

The 2027 general election is already gathering momentum within the political landscape nation wide. In Lagos State, the political atmosphere is no different. 

All the big players in the Lagos political circle are all gearing up for 2027. But out of the bunch, former governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s name has been making the rounds. His re-emergence in political calculations has been a shock. 

So strong has been his re-emergence that the party power brokers are said to be working to reposition Seyi Tinubu’s governorship ambition to 2031 to make way for a smooth, unhindered return to office for Akinwunmi Ambode.

The 2027 Lagos state governorship election will be a different ball game. The contest is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with several high-profile aspirants, emerging power blocs, and an increasingly vocal electorate weighing in on the state’s future leadership.

Seyi, who is the son of President Bola Tinubu, is being touted by several youth and diaspora groups as a potential contender for the Lagos State governorship. He is only 40 years old but has the maturity, wisdom and an incredible brilliance that is way above his age.

Last year, there were endorsements from organisations such as the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, The Future Platform and segments of Nigerian communities in the diaspora who urged him to declare his interest in the race.

The development reportedly threw the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) into a dilemma, as Seyi has neither formally declared his ambition nor received any public endorsement or comment from his father on the matter. By 2027, Lagos State is expected to have a new governor, as Babajide Sanwo-Olu would be completing his second and constitutionally permitted term in office.

However, there are feelers that the power brokers in the state are considering Ambode to return and complete his second tenure to pave way for Seyi Tinubu in 2031.

Recall that Ambode fell out with Tinubu and Lagos APC leaders ahead of the 2019 election and was denied the APC ticket, losing the party’s primary to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who went on to win the governorship poll.

Sources said the GAC members are now reportedly working to delay Seyi Tinubu’s governorship bid, moving it to 2031, citing a need for party continuity and strategic planning.

The source told our reporter that although Seyi Tinubu was interested earlier in the governorship race, he was advised to keep a low profile to concentrate on his father’s bid for a second term.

“The party leadership viewed his ambition as a potential distraction to his father’s second-term dream, given the growing opposition to the current government,” an APC chieftain in Surulere, told our reporter. The GAC is worried that a wrong governorship choice in 2027 might spell danger for APC in Lagos. A repeat of the 2023 Presidential election in Lagos in which Tinubu lost to Peter Obi is the last thing they want to see happen. This is why Ambode, who they say enjoys lots of sympathy and admiration from Lagosians and non Lagosians resident in Lagos appears to be the best bet. He will certainly attract thousands of sympathy votes.

The GAC, a powerful 30-member political body established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his tenure as Lagos State governor in 1999, led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, comprises former governors and deputy governors, past speakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly, former and serving Senators, as well as respected elder statesmen and women.

The GAC played a decisive role in the emergence of former governors Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode, and later Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to a reliable insider, if President Tinubu is re-elected in 2027, he would complete his tenure by 2031, and to sustain his political legacy, Seyi Tinubu is expected to step into the Lagos governorship race by then.

Another source attributed the reason to the anger in the Epe district over the circumstances that led to Ambode’s ouster from office. Administratively, Lagos State is divided into five districts, collectively referred to as IBILE: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe.

As the count down to the elections get ever closer, two names are consistently making the rounds: Tokunbo Abiru and Akinwunmi Ambode. But why are these two figures being mentioned so often? The reason is not far-fetched.

Abiru, a banker by trade, has the reputation of a super financial expert. When he was Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, he used successful financial initiatives like the N80 billion bond issuance to strike strong chords in the hearts of the people. His entry into politics only further solidified his standing, especially after his victory in the Lagos East senatorial bye-election.

On the other hand, Ambode, who once governed Lagos, still holds a special place in the hearts of many residents. Despite being ousted by party politics in 2019, his previous tenure is generally seen as transformative, with infrastructure projects like the Oshodi transport hub and the construction of new roads. So, during these years of his absence, the public’s quiet support for him has only intensified.

So, both men have supporters with tough vocal cords, deep pockets, and boundless devotion. While Ambode’s supporters argue for a “return to finish the job,” Abiru’s supporters view him as the future—a man with expertise in managing Lagos’ finances and potential for economic growth.

But even the sharpest of supporters recognise how much power is contained in the blessing of President Bola Tinubu. Known as the kingmaker of Lagos, Tinubu’s endorsement could tip the scales in favour of either candidate. Nevertheless, it is generally believed that either of them will take over from Sanwo-Olu in 2027, fully garbed in this endorsement.

It must be mentioned that, though Ambode did not do another term, President Tinubu later rewarded Epe with the appointment of Tunji Alausa as Health Minister and later, Education Minister, the people are still demanding that the zone should be allowed to complete its term. Epe people are claiming that Epe has been politically marginalised and insisted that either Alausa or Ambode should succeed the current Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027.

A senior APC stakeholder in Ikeja, who requested anonymity told City People, “The idea is not to sideline Seyi Tinubu but to ensure he has a more stable runway.

“The party does not want a repeat of what happened in 2023 when the Labour Party defeated Tinubu in the state.

“Seyi needs to concentrate and mobilize the youth front for his father.

“Going for governorship would divide attention and that would also lead to public outcry.

“You know Nigeria is a very funny country, they may not stand the father as a president and his son as a governor. Right now, the consensus is that Ambode or Alausa has a better chance of carrying the party in 2027,” the source added.

The 2027 Lagos guber race is already crowded in Lagos, with heavyweights including Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the state assembly speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, Tokunbo Abiru and Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, among others, being touted for the number one seat. But the Epe region of Lagos where Ambode comes from seem the most vocal, they want one of their sons to succeed Sanwo-Olu. They warned that if the Lagos APC fails to field a governorship candidate from the Lagos West Senatorial District, it would be a disaster.

“If Lagos APC fails to field a governorship candidate from Lagos West Senatorial district, there might be electoral challenges because since the emergence of democratic rule in 1999, West has been marginalized as regards the governorship seat.”

Meanwhile, only Jandor, a former PDP aspirant who defected to APC in October 2025, has publicly declared his ambition for the governorship.

“I believe Lagosians deserve a fresh vision, one that blends experience with innovation,” Jandor said in an interview with Channels Television.

“Having observed governance from both sides of the aisle, I am ready to offer solutions that reflect the people’s needs if I have a solid backing of Mr. President and the party in Lagos State. It will be a walkover,” he added.

Residents and electorate across Lagos have been closely watching the political maneuvering, and they all agree that one thing is certain, I is going to be one tough choice to make for the APC leadership as they have on their hands an assemblage of perhaps the brightest personalities the party can boast presently.

–WALE LAWAL