There are strong indications that the former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Ambode Akinwunmi is backing the candidature of the Labour Party, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivor in Saturday’s election to unseat the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Ambode is the immediate past governor of Lagos State who was denied a second term of office in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The former governor remained silent since then, but there are feelers that his supporters have been asked to throw weight behind Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivor of the Labour Party.
One of Ambode’s allies and former Commissioner, Olawale Oluwo recently collapsed his Boot Party structure into the Labour Party and a source close to Ambode’s camp confirmed that the development was at his pleasure.
Meanwhile, the former Commissioner came under attack on Saturday, at Ita Opo Area of Lagos while on procession for the Labour Party, but he escaped unhurt.
Confirming the attack on his Facebook page, he said despite being attacked by suspected thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress, APC, the campaign procession was successful.
He said, “This is to thank everyone for achieving a successful outing in Epe today, save for the actions of a few misguided elements, suspected to have been sponsored from the most unexpected quarters, to perpetrate tension and violence.
“Hon Noheem Balogun and I were shot at, point blank, today at Ita-Opo area of Epe while leading a very Campaign procession of the incoming Governor of Lagos State (by the special grace of God), Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
“Gbadebo was present, being the overall team lead for the procession. Thank God the bullets missed the targets but my special gratitude goes to my Security Orderly who promptly returned fire to repel the two assailants.
“A report is being lodged with the Police on the incident. Overall, we were well received by the good people of Epe in their large numbers. Hon Noheem Balogun is the PDP House of Reps Candidate for Epe Federal Constituency who has collapsed his large political strructure in Epe into the Labour Party (LP).
“He has the support of the leaders, assembly candidates, relevant stakeholders and our teeming supporters to lead the political onslaught of LP in Epe in the capacity of a Generalissimo.
“This is already giving some people sleepless nights, hence the attack. I thank him for his commitment and leadership. Epe is my community and no person(s), no matter how powerful, can prevent us from exercising our rights to political participation,” he wrote.
Rhodes-Vivour also confirmed the attack on his verified Twitter handle this morning.
“Yesterday’s rally was great, we connected & saw supporters in Epe. We were attacked but we are all safe & secure. It’s a shame that some deem it fit to use violence to try & intimidate those who want a better Lagos & such actions have no place in Lagos. WE ARE not intimidated,” he said.
