14:I[76937,["9344","static/chunks/9081a741-c61dd986cfa0c828.js","6408","static/chunks/00cbbcb7-c04264a14f470d4a.js","8173","static/chunks/8173-fc6c345d757cc6f6.js","7970","static/chunks/7970-6e0129b3de8ddbd6.js","3539","static/chunks/3539-02bf90933f94c836.js","6937","static/chunks/6937-3bd12da95143b93b.js","8827","static/chunks/app/(dashboard)/account/news/%5Bid%5D/edit/page-ce509fe7e2acda80.js"],"UpdateNewsForm"] 15:T558,

Eight frontrunners have emerged in the race for a successor to Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, who completes his second four-year tenure in May next year.

This follows the decision yesterday, by the ruling party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to zone the governorship ticket to Lagos East senatorial district comprising Epe, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu.

The decision, announced by APC National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, at a meeting held at the party’s secretariat on ACME Road, Ikeja, effectively shuts out aspirants from Lagos East and Lagos Central. It is meant to give Lagos East a sense of belonging since Lagos West produced Tinubu as governor from 1999 – 2007 while the incumbent, Governor Babatunde Fashola, is from Lagos Central.

A former Permanent Secretary/Accountant-General of the state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, remains the top favourite for the job. Other frontrunners include Senators Gbenga Ashafa and Ganiyu Solomon, former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan, Commissioner for Works, Obafemi Hamzat, House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, and Tayo Ayinde, a former aide to Tinubu.

•Photo shows hot favourite Akinwunmi Ambode.

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