Tinubu Defied ACN Elders to Anoint Fashola in 2007, Ex-Aide Reveals

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President Bola Tinubu defied pressure from influential Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) leaders to install Babatunde Fashola as Lagos governorship candidate in 2007. According to Professor Dapo Thomas, former aide to Tinubu, the then Lagos governor stood his ground to install Fashola. Aro Lambo, a veteran politician, Oyinlomo Danmole, a close associate of Chief Dapo Sarumi, and others were vying for the same position.

Tinubu's choice of Fashola as the party's governorship candidate was despite several meetings held by prominent ACN elders, including Olatunji Hamzat, Bushura Alebiosu, Ajisebutu, Baba Taiwo, and Baba Pupa. These elders tried to persuade Tinubu to abandon his choice of Fashola. However, Tinubu remained resolute in his decision.

Professor Thomas revealed in his autobiography, Lagos Boy and Lagos Politics, that the meetings were held despite the sensitive nature of the work. Thomas, who was Professor of International Relations at Lagos State University, personally recorded and typed the documents to avoid leaks.

The 10-point agenda of the ACN government, which Thomas' team worked on, covered various sectors such as employment, power, water supply, transportation, roads, education, health, environment and physical planning, food security, revenue enhancement, and shelter. Thomas and his team also evaluated the progress of these sectors in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses.

The then Lagos governor, Tinubu, was reported to have held a meeting with Dele Alake, Yemi Osinbajo, and others in his office. During the meeting, Tunde Fashola, the Chief of Staff, walked in to tell Tinubu about a meeting he was supposed to have with Professor Akin Mabogunje.

The list of aspirants for governor included Aro Lambo, Oyinlomo Danmole, Rahman Owokoniran, Kunlex Lawal, Tola Kasali, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Jimi Agbaje, and Hakeem Gbajabiamila. According to Thomas, only Timi Agbaje was not in the Tinubu administration.

Thomas revealed that Hakeem Gbajabiamila's name was more pronounced on the list and that he was rumoured to have been endorsed personally by the governor. However, a mild drama ensued between Gbajabiamila and Tunde Fashola inside the Governor's Office.

According to Thomas, the 10-point agenda was a wide-ranging program that included several sectors. Thomas and his team worked on the document to guide the party's governorship candidate on how the government had executed its agenda. The agenda was evaluated by resident special assistants who provided comprehensive presentations on the activities of their respective ministries.

The agenda was then presented to the ACN stakeholders, including the party's governorship candidate. After the presentation, a workshop was held to firm up loose ends in the presentation. Thomas revealed that he personally recorded and typed the documents to avoid leaks.