On Saturday, March 21, former Governor Akinwumi Ambode and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly pledged support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election attempt in 2027. 

During an inter-faith prayer session commemorating Tinubu’s 74th birthday, the duo urged Nigerians to support the President for a second term, citing ongoing reforms and economic policies as critical to national growth.

Former Lagos Governor Ambode complimented Tinubu’s leadership, stating that his commitment to Nigeria’s advancement is admirable and merits support.

Following Ambode’s pledge of support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, many political observers and supporters have expressed satisfaction and confidence that the strained relationship between the two has improved.

Akinwunmi Ambode, formerly a core loyalist of the Tinubu’s political family, who succeeded Babatunde Raji Fashola as Lagos State Governor in 2015 but was denied a return ticket for his second term after losing a direct primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 as a sitting governor.

Recall that Tunde Balogun, ex-Lagos APC chairman, announced on Tuesday, October 2, that Babajide Sanwo-Olu had won the 2019 APC gubernatorial primary with 970,851 votes, defeating incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who received 72,901 votes.

After failing to win the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial election in Lagos in 2019, Akinwumi Ambode returned to his accounting business, focusing on his successful career as a chartered accountant. He accepted his fate and did not actively battle, which shocked many who expected him to run in the 2019 Lagos governor’s election under another party to challenge his godfather, Tinubu’s political authority.

Akinwumi Ambode stepped away from politics after his first term expired in 2019. He made few public appearances, but returned to the political scene in August 2025, where he first stated his support for President Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

Rumors and unsubstantiated reports suggest that Ambode is planning to succeed Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the current Governor of Lagos State, in 2027, and that he has been meeting with important stakeholders and party leaders to discuss his plans.

The rise of Ambode?

Akinwunmi Ambode’s ascension in Lagos politics was heavily influenced by Bola Tinubu, the current President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Epe-born chartered accountant is more of a political professional than a traditional politician.

He began his public service career in 1988 as an Assistant Treasurer for Badagry Local Government. Bola Tinubu, the Lagos State Governor, appointed him Accountant-General in 2006 after he had served as a permanent secretary at the ministry of finance. He later served as the Accountant-General of Lagos State from 2006 to 2012.

WITHIN NIGERIA learned that Babatunde Fashola, the former Governor of Lagos State, was contemplating two candidates: Olasupo Shasore and Femi Hamzat, who served as his commissioners for justice and attorney-general, and works and infrastructure, respectively.

According to reliable sources, Fashola’s desired successor was not officially acknowledged because Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, wanted Akinwunmi Ambode, who subsequently succeeded Fashola after defeating the PDP’s Jimi Agbaje in 2015.

According to reports, Tinubu handpicked Ambode as Fashola’s replacement because he wanted someone he could work with and whose objectives and policies would be compatible with his for the sustained growth of Lagos State.

The strain?

Akinwumi Ambode announced in July 2017 that Visionscape, an environmental utility company, will be in charge of waste management in the state.

This put Lagos private sector partnership (PSP) operators, who are influential grassroots personalities and a key component of the Lagos APC structure in charge of waste collection and disposal, out of business.

The collapsing relationship between Bola Tinubu, the then-APC National Leader, and Akinwumi Ambode deteriorated in 2018. Ambode expressed desire in being re-elected in the 2019 election, but Tinubu announced his support for Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

According to WITHIN NIGERIA, Tinubu accused Ambode of deviating from previous administrations’ Lagos master plans and growth paths.

“I make no claim that the master plan is perfect. It’s always possible to make improvements. However, whenever a government deviated from this plan without a convincing reason, the state and its people have suffered the terrible consequences,” Tinubu stated in one of his speeches.

According to some accounts, Akinwunmi Ambode abandoned the party and implemented significant reforms in the Lagos system of government and service delivery, which affected and irritated many party members.

Despite Ambode’s claim that he had the approval of 237 councillors and 3,900 community associations, Bola Tinubu, then APC National Leader, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Governor’s Advisory Council nominated Sanwo-Olu as the Lagos APC guber flag candidate and ended up winning the 2019 guber poll.

The reunion?

Barely five years later, Bola Tinubu and Akinwunmi Ambode officially met, indicating a considerable reconciliation between the two.

The meeting took place at a banquet held by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in honor of President Tinubu.

Pictures and short videos obtained by WITHIN NIGERIA show Akinwunmi Ambode shaking hands and sharing pleasantries with other dignitaries.

At the meeting, Ambode reportedly expressed support for Tinubu’s presidency, and Tinubu recognized Ambode by stating, “Thank you, Akin.”

Recall that Babajide Sanwo-Olu paid a visit to Ambode’s home on his 60th birthday as a show of goodwill, which most likely opened the way for the meeting with Tinubu.

The support?

In August 2025, former Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode openly stated his support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

Ambode complimented Tinubu’s leadership style, highlighting accomplishments such as eradicating fuel scarcity, boosting security, and enacting policies that benefit regular Nigerians.

He referred to Tinubu as a “proven achiever and result-oriented leader” who has implemented important reforms in pensions, student loan accessibility, youth empowerment, and national economic development.

He underlined Tinubu’s focus, determination, and inclusive governance style, claiming that they are “restoring hope and delivering tangible results”.

He urged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s re-election campaign, thinking that additional four years would result in even greater improvement.