- Safiu Kehinde
The Tinubu-Ambo Support Media Group has debunked reports on former Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, declaring his intention to contest in the 2027 Lagos Gubernatorial election.
Speculations of Ambode’s possible return had over time been brewing as the eight years tenure of his successor, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, gradually draws to an end.
Recall that Ambode had in 2018 lost the All Progressives Congress (APC) Primary election to Sanwo-Olu after falling out of favour in the sight of the party’s leadership.
The defeat saw him become the first APC governor not to return for a second term after his four years first tenure.
However, the ex-governor had resurfaced in debates on likely successor of Sanwo-Olu after the expiration of his tenure in 2027.
A report would surface on Wednesday disclosing Ambode’s alleged declaration of intention to contest for the election.
Reacting to the report in a statement issued by its Director of Media and Information, Pius Babaleye, the Tinubu-Ambo Support Media Group, debunked the claim, labelling it as false and misleading.
The group maintained that Ambode has not made any declaration of interest in the guber race.
It however admitted that the ex-governor is currently consulting widely with stakeholders and will make his position known to Lagosians soon.
The statement read; “Our attention has been drawn to a publication circulating with the headline “AMBODE DECLARES INTENTION TO CONTEST 2027 LAGOS GUBER Election, BACKS TINUBU’S RE-ELECTION.”
“We, the Tinubu-Ambo Support Media Group, hereby categorically dissociate ourselves from the said report and wish to set the record straight.
“Our principal, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has not made any declaration concerning his next line of political action. Any claim to the contrary is false, misleading, and should be disregarded by the public.
“As a law-abiding leader, Mr. Ambode fully respects the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has never made pronouncements outside the legal framework.
“Our principal is currently consulting widely, listening to stakeholders, and at the appropriate time will personally make his position known to Lagosians and Nigerians.
“We regard this publication as an act of political blackmail aimed at misrepresenting the intentions of our principal and misleading the public.
“We therefore urge the media and members of the public to rely only on verified information from official Tinubu-Ambo Support structures.
“At the right time, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode will address Lagosians directly on his political direction. Until then, any such REJOINDER should be disregarded in their entirety.”