By Rt Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has been appointed as Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, leaving a vacant seat in the 10th Assembly of the Green Chamber for Surulere Federal Constituency I. This has sparked a competition among local politicians vying to fill the position.
According to thegazellenews.com, three major contenders have emerged: Agboola Dabiri, a former acting Chairman of Surulere Local Government; Honourable Kabir Lawal, a two-term former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly; and Fuad Laguda, the current Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Surulere Local Government.
Agboola Dabiri has a strong political background, having served as Vice Chairman of Surulere Local Government and later becoming the Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission and Special Adviser on Special Duty to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. He also played a significant role as the Director General of the Femi Gbajabiamila Campaign Council in the last election.
Kabir Lawal, popularly known as Caesar, is a well-connected grassroots politician, particularly influential among the ordinary citizens in the Shitta area. He represented Surulere State Constituency I for two consecutive terms in the Lagos State House of Assembly from 2007 to 2015.
Fuad Laguda, although less experienced, remains a strong contender. He has previously contested the Assembly ticket and has a close relationship with the delegates who will vote during the primary election, as he currently serves as the Chairman of the APC in Surulere Local Government.
However, the gazellenews.com mentioned that the ultimate decision to choose the APC candidate for the bye-election lies with the newly appointed Chief of Staff, and all aspirants are vying for his approval.
