Exclusive: 2023: Ambode Set To Pick Presidential Form

Baring any last-minute changes, former governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, is expected to pick the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, to contest the 2023 Presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC today.

Recall that Ambode was governor of Lagos state for one term.

He lost the APC ticket in the build-up to the 2019 elections to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, current governor of the state.

However, the former governor has concluded plans to pick the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest on the APC platform.

On Friday, Ambode was conspicuously missing from a meeting of South West APC Elders meeting with presidential, gubernatorial and National Assembly aspirants from the zone.

The meeting, held in Lagos was convened by the first Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande and a former Governor of Ogun state, Chief Segun Osoba, both of whom served as Co-Conveners.

Present at the meeting were the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, former Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Also at the meeting, apart from the aspirants were the former Governor of Lagos State and Works and Housing Minister Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state and Governor Oyetola of Osun state. Others included former Osun State Governor and Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola and the APC National Secretary Otunba Iyiola Omisore.

But Ambode, who was earlier on Friday said to be warming up to swell the list of presidential aspirants under the APC platform was nowhere near the venue of the meeting.

Sources at the party headquarters however told Thepledge that the former governor is expected to come pick his forms today.

“I can assure you that we are expecting Former governor, Ambode in this place anytime from now to pick his forms and join the presidential race”, the source said.

But part of the resolutions reached at yesterday’s meeting was that every aspirants has a right to contest.

Besides, the meeting, though behind closed doors also resolved that name callings and other personal attacks should no longer be encouraged by aspirants and their supporters.