The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has dismissed ongoing speculations regarding his potential candidacy for the governorship of Lagos State.
He stated that his current responsibilities in the presidential administration are too demanding for him to consider any such bid.
Addressing members of the Surulere All Progressives Congress at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos on Saturday, Gbajabiamila attributed rumours about his political ambitions to detractors aiming to undermine his career. He explained that these speculations have been fueled by misconceptions about his rise in politics.
Having served in various key legislative roles, including Minority Whip, Minority Leader, Majority Leader, and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Gbajabiamila noted that critics had initially believed his career had reached its peak. However, after being appointed Chief of Staff, the rumors about his possible return to Lagos to run for governor gained momentum.
He emphasized that the next gubernatorial election is still over two years away, and the decision of who will succeed the current governor is uncertain. For now, Gbajabiamila reiterated that his focus remains on fulfilling his duties as Chief of Staff, leaving no time for any considerations related to a governorship run.
Gbajabiamila said:
“Some people are saying he came back from America about 20 years ago. After spending three to four years, he became the principal officer to the Minority Whip, from there he became Minority Leader, then Majority Leader, and from Majority Leader, he became Speaker.
“They thought that after becoming Speaker, his legislative career had ended, that he had reached his limit and there was nowhere else to go.
“It was like somebody going up and suddenly nosediving downward—that’s the end. Then suddenly, they heard that he was made Chief of Staff.
“They said, ‘If we sit and allow him to continue moving, he will return to Lagos to become governor.’ They think with the way I’m progressing, it’s time to quickly drag me down so I won’t have any standing in Lagos.
“Please tell them it’s not yet time for governorship. There are still two and a half years left—it’s still far. God Almighty knows who will become the next governor.
“My current job as Chief of Staff is so demanding that I can’t even finish it. I don’t have the time to be thinking about governorship.”
