*Ambode, Dabiri-Erewa, others in the race
There are indications that moves to succeed the late Senator Bayo Osinowo has begun in Lagos.
Osinowo before his demise on June 15 represented Lagos East in the senate. He died in Lagos of complications of Covid-19. He was 64.
Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to make a declaration on the date for the conduct of the election about 10 aspirants have emerged in the two leading parties in Lagos State – All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
INEC is required under the law to conduct bye-election in 90 days after being informed by the National Assembly leadership of the vacancy.
Among those who are said to be in the race to replace the dead senator are: former governor of the state Akinwumi Ambode, Dr. Tola Kasali, a two-time commissioner and the APC leader in the constituency. Also itching to return to the seat is Oshinowo’s predecessor, Gbenga Ashafa, Jimi Benson who is currently in the House of Representatives and Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Director-General of Nigeria in Diaspora Commission. She is a former ranking member of the House of Representatives.
However, none of the candidates have publicly declared their intention but the underground scheming has begun. There are those rooting for Ambode who lost his bid for a second term as governor while others are in support of Ashafa who lost the bid to Osinowo.
The race is not left to the APC as the PDP candidates have also begun their jostling. The names that have surfaced in the party include Princess Abiodun Oyefusi who contested against the late Osinowo in 2019; former Governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Babatunde Gbadamosi, Yeye Agnes Shobajo and Mr. Bob Tarner.
Gbadamosi recently returned to the PDP. He is considered a strong contender because he is believed to have the charisma to confront the APC.
