Encomium
IT is certainly not yet uhuru for Mr. Olujimi Agbaje, the pharmacist turned politician, who just joined People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State to realize his ambition of occupying Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, as the governor of Lagos state.
We gathered the gentleman joined PDP on the understanding that he would be given the party’s ticket to contest the governorship election in February 2015.
The party hierarchy ENCOMIUM Weekly gathered agreed to this condition. They (party hierarchy) even took him to Abuja twice to meet with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who assured him (Jimi) of his support morally and financially as their candidate in 2015 governorship election in Lagos State.
Based on these assurances from the party hierarchy in the state and the Presidency, the man was confident that his political ambition to be governor of Lagos State which started in 2007, when he contested against the incumbent, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), will soon materialize.
But since he visited the party’s headquarters on Oduduwa Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, July 22, 2014, to officially declare his membership of the party all hell was let loose as other party members who have hitherto kept quiet were shouting on the rooftop that they are also interested in the governorship ticket of the party.
ENCOMIUM Weekly takes a cursory look on other aspirants of the party who will give Jimi Agbaje a good fight for his money and influence within the party.
SENATOR MUSILIU OLATUNDE OBANIKORO
The Minister of State for Defence. He like Jimi Agbaje contested for the governorship of the state in 2007, after an intense battle with Mrs. Hilda Williams, the wife of late Funsho Williams, who had the backing of Chief Olabode George.
From the look of things, he is very much interested in slugging it out with whoever to get the party’s ticket.
His ambition, certainly will pitch him again against Chief Olabode George, who we gathered is backing Jimi Agbaje.
MR. ADEGBOYEGA DOSUNMU
A former Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA), who contested on the platform of PDP in 2011, is also very much interested in taking a shot at the post again. He was the candidate of Chief Olabode George, who was then in prison in 2010, when the party primary was conducted.
He polled 431 votes to beat five other aspirants which included Tokunbo Kamson, Demola Sreiki, Femi Pedro, Mr. Owolabi Silas, Mr. Qudus Folami and Mr. Babatunde Olalere-Gbadamosi.
Will he go against Bode George’s choice this time around? Only time will tell.
ENGINEER ADEDEJI DOHERTY
He is the acting National Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in South West.
He has almost shouted himself hoarse telling everybody who cared to listen that he is interested in becoming the next governor of Lagos State on the platform of PDP.
He even made it categorically known that the entry of Mr. Jimi Agbaje into the party will not in any way stop him from gunning for the party’s ticket.
BABATUNDE OLALERE GBADAMOSI
A businessman, tax and property consultant. He contested for the same party ticket in 2011, with the likes of Dr. Adegboyega Dosumu, Mr. Tokunbo Kamson, Mr. Demola Seriki, Femi Pedro, Owolabi Silas and Qudus Folami. He came distant seventh with just three votes.
He has dusted his papers again and preparing to contest. He said he has learnt his lessons from the 2011 primary. He is certainly one of those who will give Mr. Jimi Agbaje headache in his ambition to govern Lagos State.
HON. SETONJI KOSHOEDO
A former member of House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007. He represented Badagry Federal constituency then.
An architect by profession, he is also said to be honing his skill to secure the party’s ticket for the February 2015 governorship election. Will he step down for Jimi Agbaje or go all the way to the primaries to wrestle the ticket with him and others? Only time will tell.
– TOLANI ABATTI
