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For LAGOS Guber Race
One of the most anticipated governorship elections next year is the Lagos guber race. As it is right now, no one has any idea who the next governor of Lagos state will be. But several names have been constant in the mix. And one of them is the quiet achiever and an incredibly brilliant mind, Hakeem Muri Okunola who is currently the Principal Secretary to President Tinubu.
Muri Okunola is a Tinubu boy through and through and he is extremely proud of it. He literally learned everything he knows about public service and governance at the feet of his godfather and mentor, President Bola Tinubu.
Everywhere he has worked before he moved to Aso rock, he distinguished himself. He left enduring legacies and has engraved his name as one of President Tinubu’s brightest boys. And just like he did while serving as the Lagos Head of Service, Muri Okunola has since made his presence felt at the seat of power in Aso villa. Having resolved to hit the ground running on assumption of office, Muri-Okunola has changed the game by waging war against unethical conducts such as complacency to work, corrupt attitudes and other administrative lapses said to be deep seethed in the State House in a matter of weeks.
A source told City People that Muri-Okunola’s appointment by the President did not happen by mistake or by accident. As the right hand man to Mr President several years before the election was won, HMO as he’s fondly called had proved his mettle as a disciplined personality who carried out his duty diligently without fear or favour.
A lawyer, public administrator per excellence, technocrat and former Lagos State Head of Service, Muri-Okunola was a Personal Assistant to Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State. Indeed, the President’s relationship with him took root from his friendship with his late father, Justice Muritala Okunola, a fair-minded judge and devout Muslim who passed away in the year 2004.
The President, who is widely known for having eye for excellence, having marked the virtues of brilliance, diligence and hardwork in the young Muri-Okunola, brought him close and groomed him over the years as his aide, and the result has been adjudged as remarkable.
Some personnel at Aso Rock known to have taken work ethics for granted have since begun to shape up having read the body language of Muri-Okunola who has been described in some quarters as the star boy who does not condone indiscipline.
Without reading a riot act to the members of staff, the former Lagos Head of Service is said to have firmed up things in the presidential villa the moment he resumed duty about two years ago and instilled sanity and anti-corruption discipline to the government of Tinubu.
Noted for his midas touch, in the run off to the 2023 general elections, speculations were rife that Muri-Okunola might be used to replace Babajide Sanwo-Olu as Lagos State Governor.
Before his appointment was announced two years ago, the biggest tale hovering around him in the Lagos social circle was that this son of late Justice Muritala Okunola would soon join his former boss at the presidential villa. And in confirmation of the guess, Muri-Okunola landed the job.
During his time as HOS, he was considered one of the most powerful persons in Sanwo-Olu’s cabinet. He was also considered Tinubu’s principal during the last day’s of former Governor Ambode and even now.
“Muri-Okunola has an impressive resume and a thing of joy to be so close to power as a youth. Muri Okunola is an ‘Omo agba.’ His father was Tinubu’s friend and he has become closer to Tinubu than his father. Tinubu actually uses him to interface with the youths. I have never had an encounter with him but I also never encountered anyone that had issues with him,” our source revealed.
HMO, who is regarded as one of the architects behind what is now known as modern Lagos and an influential person in government affairs, was promoted to the position of the Head of Service by former Governor Akinwumi Ambode in 2018 after a stint at the Ministry of Lands by the dint of his hardwork.
A close ally to the new presidential Secretary said that “One of the sterling qualities of Muri-Okunola, the Sheriff at the presidential villa is that he wants nothing short of the best and he cannot tolerate indolence. Those who would work with him should be ready to give their best. He must have been picked for the job because he knows his onions very well,” he noted.
No doubt about it, all eyes are on Muri Okunola as the Lagos governorship race draws closer. In Lagos State, the political atmosphere is already gathering momentum. All the big players in the Lagos political circle are all gearing up for 2027. But out of the bunch, Muri Okunola’s name has been making the rounds. His emergence in political calculations has been a shock. So strong has been his emergence that the party power brokers are said to be divided as to whose camp to belong amongst the many big gladiators clamouring for the governor’s job. Every one of them is trying to be careful not to jump the gun, knowing full well that the final nod as to who replaces Governor Sanwo-Olu will come from Abuja. But, the fact remains that, no one is unaware of the fact that President Tinubu has an extra soft spot for the man everyone loves to call HMO.
The 2027 Lagos state governorship election will be a different ball game. The contest is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent history, with several high-profile aspirants, emerging power blocs, and an increasingly vocal electorate weighing in on the state’s future leadership.
Seyi Tinubu, who is the son of President Bola Tinubu, is also being touted by several youth and diaspora groups as a potential contender for the Lagos State governorship. He is only 40 years old but has the maturity, wisdom and an impressive brilliance that is way above his age.
Last year, there were endorsements from organisations such as the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders, The Future Platform and segments of Nigerian communities in the diaspora who urged him to declare his interest in the race.
There is also Senator Tokunbo Abiru, a banker by trade, has the reputation of a super financial expert. When he was Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, he used successful financial initiatives like the N80 billion bond issuance to strike strong chords in the hearts of the people. His entry into politics only further solidified his standing, especially after his victory in the Lagos East senatorial bye-election.
On the other hand, Akinwunmi Ambode, who once governed Lagos, still holds a special place in the hearts of many residents. Despite being ousted by party politics in 2019, his previous tenure is generally seen as transformative, with infrastructure projects like the Oshodi transport hub and the construction of new roads. So, during these years of his absence, the public’s quiet support for him has only intensified.
So, both Ambode and Abiru have supporters with tough vocal cords, deep pockets, and boundless devotion. While Ambode’s supporters argue for a “return to finish the job,” Abiru’s supporters view him as the future—a man with expertise in managing Lagos’ finances and potential for economic growth.
But even the sharpest of supporters recognise how much power is contained in the blessing of President Bola Tinubu. Known as the kingmaker of Lagos, Tinubu’s endorsement could tip the scales in favour of any of the four candidates listed above. Nevertheless, it is generally believed that any of them will take over from Sanwo-Olu in 2027, fully garbed in this endorsement.
Other prominent gladiators in the race include Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the state assembly speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, among others. They are all being touted for the number one seat. Meanwhile, it must be noted that only Jandor, a former PDP aspirant who defected to APC in October 2025, has publicly declared his ambition for the governorship.
“I believe Lagosians deserve a fresh vision, one that blends experience with innovation,” Jandor said in a recebt interview with Channels Television.
“Having observed governance from both sides of the aisle, I am ready to offer solutions that reflect the people’s needs if I have a solid backing of Mr. President and the party in Lagos State. It will be a walkover,” he added.
Residents and electorate across Lagos have been closely watching the political maneuvering, and they all agree that one thing is certain, I is going to be one tough choice to make for the APC leadership as they have on their hands an assemblage of perhaps the brightest personalities the party can boast presently.
–WALE LAWAL (08037209290)
