A former Lagos Commissioner for Home Affairs, Abdulhakeem Abul-Lateef, has left the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the state's governorship election in 2023.
Tendering his resignation from the party, Abul-Lateef - who thanked Bola Tinubu one of the party's national leaders and did not expressly state his next move - said that his decision to leave was to avoid disunity in the party.
The former commissioner had earlier revealed his intention to contest for the governorship seat of the state in 2023.
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According to him, an Awori indigene should be given the opportunity to govern Lagos for the first time.
Announcing his intention to lead the state, Abul-Lateef said the state needs to have a good manager of humans and resources as their governor.
“I believe I will have the support of the people when the time comes. Right now, it is not about the campaign. This is a movement, when we get to that we shall cross the bridge,” he added.
Thanking other top-ranking members of the APC for their support, Abul-Lateef's resignation letter read in part, "I wish to tender my resignation from the ruling party APC.
"I am grateful to all my leaders especially ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU. Asiwaju is a great leader who fought tenaciously for democracy. When I joined politics he was there for me and assisted me greatly to occupy very enviable positions in the government. He has developed so many other individuals in very many capacities. May Allah reward you abundantly.
"To all other leaders of our party too numerous to mention, may the good Lord continue to be with you.
"I thank all past governors I worked with and apologize to those I may have offended while switching support due to party loyalty.
"I appreciate the current governor Babajide Sanwoolu who is really working hard to make Lagos state better. I urge all Lagosians to join hands with the governor to move Lagos to a greater height.
"The speaker of the House of ASSEMBLY is a personal friend and brother who has been very generous to me. Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, may the Lord continue to bless you. I appreciate your support and we shall remain brothers."
Further explaining that decision to leave the party was because his Governorship ambition was rejected by some leaders of the party, Abul-Lateef said:
"My desire is to win the pleasure of my lord which no political position can replace and that is why I am not desperate. I will be totally FULFILLED when I am able to make efforts to enlighten our people about good governance, welfarism, the growth and development of the youth, the care of the elderly, the growth of the private sector, the ideals of Constitutional Democracy and better lifestyles for the leaders and the led.
"This movement has been rejected by some close leaders I respect. I have therefore decided to leave the party in order not to create disunity within the party. Please do not persecute or victimise my followers who have chosen to stay in APC. I leave them all in the care of the Lord. I am more concerned about paradise and I am not afraid of death. I will continue to preach the word of God and invite all Nigerians regardless of their religions, colour and race to be determined to be different."
Abul-Lateef will have to battle the incumbent Governor Babajide Samwo-Olu who is just serving his first 4-year term on the platform of APC.
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