The crisis over who becomes the next governor of Lagos State could drive a wedge between the presidency and some state governors on the one hand and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his loyalists on the other.
Tinubu is believed to have withdrawn support for Ambode’s re-election in favour of a former Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The party leader however has been under intense pressure to have a change of heart.
The governors were said to have urged the presidency to prevail on Tinubu not to ridicule Ambode, whom they fondly refer to as ‘Governor General’.
A cabal in Aso Rock, consisting mainly of northern elements, is also backing the same agenda.
On Tuesday, during a rally for Gboyega Oyetola (APC’s Osun State governorship aspirant in Saturday’s election), Buhari, some governors and party leaders pleaded with Tinubu and his close ally, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, to give Ambode a second chance.
Ambode meanwhile held talks with Buhari behind closed doors in Abuja yesterday.
The Guardian learnt that the visit to the Presidential Villa might not be unconnected with the Governors Advisory Council (GAC) meeting held in Lagos on Wednesday.
Tinubu, in Osun, was said to have called for the meeting to seek the views of Lagos stakeholders on Ambode’s fate.
The incumbent reportedly sought to update the president on the latest developments, particularly the outcome of the GAC meeting.