Professor Dapo Thomas, a former aide to President Bola Tinubu, has documented how the President disregarded opposition from senior Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members to name Babatunde Fashola as the party’s 2007 gubernatorial candidate. Fashola ultimately defeated Peoples Democratic Party candidate Musiliu Obanikoro to win the election.
In his autobiography, Lagos Boy and Lagos Politics, Thomas explains that key party elders, including Olatunji Hamzat and Bushura Alebiosu, repeatedly urged Tinubu to abandon his support for Fashola in favor of more seasoned politicians. However, Tinubu maintained his decision despite significant internal pushback. Thomas describes a critical incident where Hakeem Gbajabiamila, another potential aspirant, acted aggressively toward Fashola in the Governor’s Office. This display of poor conduct effectively removed Gbajabiamila from contention and solidified Tinubu’s preference for the Chief of Staff, Fashola.
Thomas details how his team worked behind the scenes to prepare a 10-point governance agenda to support the incoming administration. Despite some interpersonal friction and disagreement regarding the appointment of a campaign director-general, the transition planning remained focused. The primary election eventually occurred on December 12, 2006, where Fashola secured the nomination despite boycotts from other aggrieved aspirants. On April 14, 2007, Fashola achieved a decisive victory, securing nearly 600,000 votes.
