Senator Gbenga Ashafa

For people canvasing for a Christian governor to take over from Governor Raji Fashola in Lagos State in May 2015, it should sink well into them that some ambitious Lagos politicians are not buying the idea. One of those who do not share that sentiment is Senator Gbenga Ashafa. Senator Ashafa took a bold step last week when he went to the Bourdillon home of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to confide in him on his readiness to step into the ring of gubernatorial contestants of Lagos State in 2015 but on one condition: that Asiwaju would support him if he (Asiwaju) is yet to have candidate.

According to a source privy to Senator Ashafa’s meeting with Asiwaju, the first thing Ashafa did was to ask if Asiwaju already had a candidate for 2015. Asiwaju answered him rhetorically by asking him why he had asked. Ashafa responded by telling him he would start mobilising in his own capacity for the candidate but in case Asiwaju was yet to make up his mind on one, he would like to offer himself for Lagos service. Asiwaju was said to have muttered some words in response, which threw both of them into laughter. Ashafa left after their conversation but not until he had told Asiwaju he was still loyal to him in spite of his ambition and that he would not be involved in political activities that might pitch them against each other.

Senator Ashafa has always been a beneficiary of Asiwaju’s political munificence. Ashafa enjoyed high patronage during Asiwaju’s terms as governor of Lagos State. Ashafa joined the Tinubu administration in September 1999 as Director of Planning, Governor’s Office in charge of Local Government Administration. He was appointed Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Lands Bureau in 2005. He occupied this position until December 2010, when he chose to test his weight in politics. He schemed out Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora with the support of Asiwaju, and became a senator. Now that he has indicated his interest in becoming governor, it is not clear which direction Asiwaju will be taking in 2015.