2015 Lagos Guber Race ACN Splits As Kingmakers Dump Banire For Hamzat

 

There`s every indication that all is not well within the Lagos ACN caucus as we gathered that, the mutual trust and friendly cooperation between the ruling South Western political party have lost totally. And according to inside sources, the Lagos ACN has split into factions with the very powerful Justice Forum headed by Chief Olatunji Hamzat on one side and others on another lane.

The race for the soul of Lagos come 2015, we were told might have informed what cracked the four walls of the State prided as the base of ACN in Nigeria. As you read this, there are silent bickering and dangerous political power game as to who the cap fits regarding the State`s oval office in the next dispensation.

Before now, political analysts who know the statistical permutations of the man that steers the wheel and call the shots as far as the Lagos politics is concerned, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu a.k.a Jagaban Borgu of Africa, there are just two people in contention and these are the immediate past Commissioner For Works, now ACN National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire and incumbent Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Kuforiji. Dr. Muiz Banire later seemed to have the upper hand though when the Lagos Speaker got his fingers burnt in the N35 billion scandal which almost ruined his political career.

Today, the story seems to have changed as the kingmakers in Lagos have strategically positioned another youthful politician to understudy and learn the political rites of the State believed to be the nation`s commercial nerve centre.

It is no news that, the works ministry is the juicy pie, the heart and secret of the soul of Lagos, and this explained the kind of influence and importance whoever gets the nod to drive this significance office wields. You would recalled that during the first tenure of the incumbent governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), there was nothing like Commissioner for Works, this was because there was no vacancy, it was he (the governor) who doubled as the Commissioner not until when he seemed to remain being tamed that the baton was passed to Dr. Muiz Banire but fortunately and unfortunately, Mr. governor braved the odd while Dr. Banire got back on the queue.

The hope and aspirations to rule Lagos for Dr. Banire was quite promising as the road seemed clear going by the series of political scandals that obviously rocked the Speaker and jeopardize his chance but all of a sudden, another youthful politician who equally flaunts an intimidating credentials of that of Banire`s standing surfaces and has been put on line to get on the mark.

Whilst Banire is relying on his wealth of education as an erudite scholar and doctorate degree holder in Law, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, the eldest son of the man believed to be the real godfather of Lagos politics, Chief Hamzat is also not a push back. The youthful and dynamic politician who`s the present Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure is a product of the University of Ibadan where he graduated with B.sc Honours, Second Class Upper Division in Agricultural Engineering (1986) and M.sc in Crop Processing Engineering (1988). He thereafter proceeded to the famous Silsoe College, Cranfield University, England where he also obtained a Ph.D in System Process Engineering in 1992.

It is on record that, Obafemi Hamzat was the very first student to complete his doctoral degree within three years in his department at Cranfield. He also holds a certificate in Computer/Windows Programming (1995) of the prestigious Baruch College, City University of New York, USA. He`s a professional engineer, thorough-bred Systems Integrator, seasoned administrator and consummate manager of men and materials, Engr. Dr. Hamzat has had over two decades of work experience in diverse areas of engineering practice including project management, computer networking , enterprise system assessment, engineering system design and implementation. He has, during this period held enviable positions in different world class international organizations.  

For Chief Olatunji Hamzat, the quiet but firm authentic kingmaker, real godfather of Lagos politics who has endorsed so many candidates to step into the mantle of leadership in the State, it is no doubt a payback time for the Chairman of the very powerful Justice Forum to get the backings of who`s who to win the titanic race of Lagos gubernatorial seat for his darling son come 2015.