As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum, indications have emerged that key power brokers within the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are considering a return of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, a move that may defer the governorship ambition of Seyi Tinubu to 2031.
Investigations revealed that the unfolding permutations have intensified internal consultations within the party, particularly among members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the influential decision-making body in Lagos APC.
Seyi Tinubu, 40, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has in recent times been touted by some youth and diaspora groups as a potential governorship aspirant. Groups such as the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders and The Future Platform, alongside segments of Nigerians in the diaspora, had last year urged him to declare interest in the Lagos governorship race.
However, sources within the party disclosed that Seyi Tinubu has neither formally declared his ambition nor received any public endorsement from President Tinubu on the matter.
By 2027, Lagos State is expected to have a new governor, as the incumbent, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will be completing his second and constitutionally allowed term in office.
According to party insiders, the GAC is reportedly inclined towards zoning the governorship ticket to Epe Division, with Ambode or Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, being considered as leading contenders.
Ambode, who governed the state between 2015 and 2019, lost his re-election bid after failing to secure the APC ticket, following a fallout with party leadership ahead of the 2019 polls.
Sanwo-Olu subsequently emerged as the party’s candidate and won the election.
A source familiar with the deliberations told reporters that party leaders believe deferring Seyi Tinubu’s governorship ambition to 2031 would ensure stability and continuity within the party.
“The thinking is that Seyi Tinubu should be allowed to build more political capital while focusing on mobilising youth support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027,” the source said.
Another APC chieftain, Mr Segun Badejo, said party leaders were wary of public perception.
“The leadership does not want a situation where the son is contesting for governor while the father is seeking a second term as president. That could generate unnecessary controversy and distract from the larger goal,” Badejo said.
The GAC, established by President Tinubu in 1999 during his tenure as Lagos governor, is chaired by Prince Tajudeen Olusi and comprises former governors and deputies, past speakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly, former and serving senators, as well as elder statesmen and women.
The council has played decisive roles in the emergence of past Lagos governors, including Mr Babatunde Fashola, Ambode and Sanwo-Olu.
Further findings indicate that there is growing agitation in Epe Division over Ambode’s inability to complete a second term, unlike previous governors from Lagos Island who served two terms.
Lagos State is administratively divided into five divisions—Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Epe—collectively known as IBILE.
Stakeholders from Epe argue that the division has been politically marginalised and insist that it should be allowed to complete its tenure by producing the next governor in 2027.
Although the appointment of Alausa, an indigene of Epe, as minister was seen as a form of compensation, sources say the agitation for governorship remains strong.
A senior APC stakeholder in Ikeja, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the prevailing consensus within the party favours Ambode or Alausa as more viable candidates for 2027.
“The idea is not to sideline Seyi Tinubu but to give him a more stable runway. The party wants to avoid a repeat of the 2023 scenario where the APC lost Lagos in the presidential election,” the source said.
According to the source, should President Tinubu secure a second term in 2027 and complete it by 2031, Seyi Tinubu is expected to emerge as a strong contender for the Lagos governorship at that time.
The consultations and alignments are expected to intensify in the coming months as political actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 polls.