Do
you know that, apart from Governor Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi
Hamzat, there is also another group of people who call the shots in Lagos? They
not only run the state with Sanwo-Olu, but they also determine a lot of things in
the State, especially in the area of policy formation that will impact the
state. Call them the powerhouse or wise men of Lagos, you will not be wrong
because this set of powerful men and women determine what happens in Lagos. In
short, they determine how Lagos is being run day by day and sign off on major
policies affecting the state. They are highly powerful and influential and no
decision in Lagos can be taken without them.
This
set of men belongs to the Governing Advisory Council, known as GAC. It is common
knowledge that the affairs of political parties are managed by executives
elected or chosen by their members, however, in the ruling All Progressives
Congress (APC) in Lagos State, the highest decision-making body is the
Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC).
The
council was formed and headed by the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola
Ahmed Tinubu, which consists of major stakeholders of the party within the
state overseeing the affairs of the party. It takes major decisions such as the mode of primaries, candidates of the party in elections and even the executives
of the party.
Asiwaju
Tinubu, through the council, has maintained a firm grip on the structure of the
party since he left the Alliance for Democracy (AD) on whose platform he was
elected Governor in 1999 and 2003 to form the Action Congress (AC)which
metamorphosed to Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). ACN is one of the legacy
parties that formed the APC in 2013.
This
body consists of about 25 members both men and women. Unfortunately, about 24
are left due to the passing away of former APC Deputy National Woman Leader,
the Yeyesewa of Lagos, Chief Mrs Kemi Nelson a few weeks back. Yeye Kemi Nelson
who was at a time the only female amongst the GAC members was buried last week
and members of this body stormed the burial services in honour of their
departed member.
The
members of the Governor’s Advisory Council include the wife of the APC leader
and former Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Sen Oluremi
Tinubu, and her two colleagues in the red chamber – Senator Solomon Adeola
(Lagos West) and Senator Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East). The Speaker of the House
of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; former Governor of Lagos State and
current minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola; the Speaker of the
Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; ex-Speaker Adeyemi
Ikuforiji and former Deputy Governor Mrs Idiat Oluranti Adebule.
However,
apart from these elected politicians who are admitted to the council, the core
members with whom Tinubu controls its activities are elder statesman, Prince
Tajudeen Olusi; Otunba Henry Ajomale (former Lagos APC chair), Prince Abiodun
Ogunleye (Ex-deputy Governor to Tinubu), Cardinal James Odunmbaku, foremost
businessman, Otunba Bashiru Alebiosu, Omooba Murphy Adetoro, Sen Anthony
Adefuye, Alhaji S.A Seriki, Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun (former SSG, Lagos)
Prince Rabiu Oluwa(Island Club new Chairman), Chief M. A Taiwo, Alhaji Mutiu
Are, Dr Yomi Finnih, ( an obstetrician and gynaecologist, as well as Chairman
and Chief Medical Director of Finnih Medical Centre).
Omooba
Muyiwa Sosanya, Prof. Tunde Samuel who is now late, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, the
former Chairman of APC Lagos and Mr Wale Edun(Lagos former Commissioner for
Finance. By virtue of their positions, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his
deputy, Femi Hamzat are also members of the council.
As
expected, GAC comprises elders of the party which provides direction for the
party’s leadership in addition to solving knotty issues about the party. This
set of men ensures that the constitution is followed in the affairs of the party
where they usually deliberate on matters of importance and use dialogue and
wisdom to resolve issues.
It
was this council that first gave Governor Sanwoolu a nod for the second term. This
set of men is also currently in the formation of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
(ABAT) movement working for the realization of Tinubu’s ambition of becoming
the next President in 2023.
According
to the council, “GAC is strictly a party organ. It is the gathering of elders
of APC. It is made inclusive in the sense that the formation of those who are
in the group are from the wards to the state. We have the Directorate headed by
Oyin Danmole, the Deputy is Asipa Kaoli Olusanya.” These coordinators are
assisted by six other people who have portfolios. In the 377 wards, there are
coordinators assisted by six other people with portfolios,”. GAC is a warehouse
of wisdom and knowledge for the progress of the state.”It is a council of
advisers, a warehouse of knowledge and wisdom that people in government and the
party can tap from. All of them in the council are mentors in their own right.
If people are still wondering why Lagos is the shining light of the
progressives, the answer cannot be too far from their activities. Some states
are adopting the same process by bringing on board their experienced hands in
terms of politics and governance,”.
Although
their roles might not be recognised in the constitution, they believe it is
very important for the success of APC in the state. Their appointment provides
them with another platform to continue to provide flawless and experienced
leadership to the state's democratic growth. These are the men who work closely
with Asiwaju Tinubu and even when they speak, they speak the mind of their
national leader. In general, they are Asiwaju’s mouthpiece.
-OMOTAYO
OYEDIJI
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