By Salam Saheed
The race for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) chairmanship ticket in Saki West Local Government has become increasingly competitive, with indications that a legal practitioner may emerge as the party’s consensus candidate ahead of the forthcoming LG polls.
The development follows ongoing consultations among key party leaders mandated to recommend a candidate acceptable to major stakeholders in the local government.
Although no official announcement had been made as of the time of filing this report, reliable sources within the party disclosed that one of the lawyer-aspirants is enjoying considerable support among decision-makers and could eventually secure the party’s ticket.
The leading aspirants in the contest are Hon. Gbenga Akinola, Hassan Ajibade (Esq.), Lateef Sarafadeen Abiola (Esq.), Hon. Oluwakemi Waheed, Hon. Muda Busari and Hon. Waheed Omoyemi.
The committee overseeing the selection process, comprising Engr. Hammed Gbadamosi, Alhaji Lati Komi, Baba Alaraje, Alhaji Rafiu Adekunle, Hon. Niyi Adebisi, Hon. Femi Julius, Alhaji Adeshina Moshood and Idris Aloma, is expected to conclude its deliberations after a series of stakeholder engagements.
Sources familiar with the process described the contest as one of the most closely fought in recent times, with consultations continuing behind closed doors to ensure the emergence of a candidate capable of uniting the party ahead of the polls.
While the final decision remains uncertain, political observers believe the pendulum may be swinging in favour of a legal practitioner as the party inches closer to unveiling its standard-bearer for the Saki West chairmanship election.