The Governor’s Advisory Council of the All Progressive Congress, a group led by Bola Tinubu, has disclosed that it has yet to name a replacement for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the party’s flag bearer ahead of the 2023 governorship election in the state.

GAC , the highest decision-making body of the APC and Mr Tinubu’s political empire in Lagos, said it “has not settled for any person to replace Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu as governor.”

The group was reacting to a viral post on WhatsApp by supporters of Lagos politician Hakeem Muri-Okunola that he will succeed Mr Sanwo-Olu in 2023.

Despite disclosing that it has not considered possibilities of a second term ticket for the incumbent governor, the group however debunked claims that it has named Mr Muri-Okunola as a replacement for the sitting governor.

“Importantly, the Independent National Electoral Commission has not signalled the commencement of the process for the governorship election in Lagos State,” the group added in a January 29 statement signed by its secretary Mutiu Are.

Former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s fate was sealed in 2018 when GAC unveiled Mr Sanwo-Olu as the next Lagos governor. Remi Tinubu, Henry Ajomale, Tunde Fashola, James Odunmbaku, Solomon Adeola, amongst other top Lagos politicians loyal to Mr Tinubu.

The state governor who is yet to officially announce his decision to run for a second term on Friday said he will consult Lagosians before making a decision on whether to run for a second term in office in the 2023 general elections or not.

Mr Sanwo-Olu who assumed office in May 2019, would be completing his first term in office by May 2023, and he is constitutionally permitted to be in office for one more term of four years if the electorate so decide.

While the newly amended electoral bill allows a political party to present a consensus candidate as its flag bearer at an election, it also gives room for parties to conduct primary elections which could be conducted directly and indirectly.