The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lashed out at the Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Organisation (AMCO) over the group’s campaign for the former state governor.

The campaign group had earlier said Ambode would send the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, out of office in 2023.

The AMCO chairman, Wale Oluwo, who said this on Sunday, stated that plans had been made to return Ambode to the governorship position in the state.

However, the Lagos APC, in a statement issued and made available to The Star on Sunday by the party’s acting Publicity Secretary, Hon. Yesiro Karamo, said it was distasteful and unacceptable for a group purportedly committed to the APC to take the role of the opposition within.

Keramo, who described the campaign group as “faceless”, added that the Lagos APC had earlier made it clear that the endorsement of Governor Sanwo-Olu for another term in office by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) did not foreclose the ambition of any other member, noting that the ruling party remains committed to providing a level playing ground for all aspirants for various offices.

He stated: “Our attention has been drawn to the distractive interview by a faceless group which calls itself Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Group led by one Olawale Oluwo.

“For starters, the promoters of the group, if they are truly members of Lagos State All Progressives Congress, ought to know that the activities of clandestine groups have been banned because of their divisive tendencies.

“It is also interesting that it has taken three years after the ouster of the Ambode administration in the state for such a group to spring up and claim relevance. However, they could be pardoned because it is in the spirit of the season.

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“It is worthy to recall that the Lagos state APC had earlier made it clear that the endorsement of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) for another term in office did not foreclose the ambition of any other member.

“As a Democratic Party, we remain committed to provide a level playing for all aspirants for various offices and ensure internal democracy.

“It is distasteful and unacceptable for a group purportedly committed to our party to take on the role of the opposition within.”

The Lagos APC spokesperson further enjoined the members of the party not to unnecessarily heat up the polity with unguided utterances, urging them to conduct themselves in a manner acceptable under the party’s constitution.

“While we want to welcome back our members who hitherto left our party to the progressive family, we need to caution them not to unnecessarily heat up the polity with unguided utterances.

“In their absence, the party successfully conducted congresses at the ward, local, state, and national levels to fill party offices. The process of reconciliation is also especially in Lagos State making steady progress.

“Therefore, our returning members will be expected to conduct themselves in a manner acceptable under our party’s constitution, rules, and guidelines.

“As a party, we remain proud of the landmark achievements of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

“He has not only kept faith with kernel of his social contract with Lagosians, the THEMES agenda, he has returned the state to the path of steady progress,” Keramo added.

The Star