The race for the 2023 general election is fast approaching, candidates from various political parties are vying for different positions in Lagos and across Nigeria.
One of the candidates contesting for the post of governor in Lagos state, Ifagbemi Awamaridi, has reaffirmed his position that he is still in the race and remains the party’s candidate in the forthcoming 2023 general election.
At a recent gathering held at Avid Empire, the Labour Party unveiled its Governorship flag bearer and State Assembly candidates.
There is a controversy surrounding the party’s governorship candidate.
Some factions had earlier conducted a kangaroo election in which Gbadebo Rhodes-Vigour emerged as the Gubernatorial candidate of the party barely two months after he joined the party.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has, however, confirmed that Mr. Awamaridi is the party’s recognized candidate.
While speaking to reporters, Awamaridi said he decided to speak out because he couldn’t afford to be “complacent” after another aspirant had been declared the candidate of the party.”
Awamaridi further revealed that every electoral process must be in accordance with the party’s jurisdiction.
“I am in charge of the Labour Party’s structure. Let anyone that tells you he is the chairman, let him call the meeting of the genuine local government excos,” he said.
Another party faithful, Kayode Salako, has come out to the public that he’s the state chairman in Lagos.
Mr. Awamaridi further said that some members said that he had withdrawn from the race and had been moved to a “higher position.”
“So, why wasn’t I there? He was referring to the substitution primary election.”
He said that Mr. Rhodes-Vivour had not informed him of his governorship ambitions.
He said that when Mr. Rhodes-Vivour had earlier reached out to him to be his running mate, he told him he would “think about it.”
“And the next thing I heard was that he bought the (governorship) form. All hands are crossed to see what happens next.”