Tunji Alausa: The Traditional Unfamiliar Name That Might Have Been Endorsed to Succeed Sanwo-Olu

By Dansu Peter  As the 2027 Lagos gubernatorial race takes shape, familiar political patterns are beginning to emerge. While the public spec...

By Dansu Peter 

As the 2027 Lagos gubernatorial race takes shape, familiar political patterns are beginning to emerge. While the public speculates and party loyalists jostle for relevance, history suggests that the eventual occupant of the Lagos State Government House is seldom the noisiest contender. Instead, the choice often comes from the shadows, guided by the subtle hand of political kingmakers.  

In this unfolding script, one name has begun to gain prominence: Dr. Tunji Alausa. The Minister of State for Education, once a relative outsider in the state's political equation, has now found himself at the center of succession discussions. His endorsement by the League of Concerned Lagosians (LCL), a powerful pressure group with significant influence in the state’s political circles, has sent ripples through the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). With this development, the Lagos APC’s power brokers appear to be aligning behind Alausa, leaving other aspirants in a precarious position.  

Lagos' political playbook has long followed a pattern where gubernatorial candidates emerge not from popular agitations but from behind-the-scenes consensus. From Bola Tinubu’s selection of Babatunde Fashola in 2007 to Akinwunmi Ambode in 2015 and Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2019, each transition has reflected the preferences of an elite circle rather than grassroots momentum. Now, whispers within the APC suggest that Alausa has been quietly anointed as the next potential governor.  

His journey is a departure from the traditional grassroots political ascent. A seasoned medical professional, Alausa made his mark in Chicago as a specialist in kidney care before transitioning into Nigerian governance. Appointed first as Minister of State for Health before moving to the Education Ministry, he has built a reputation as a technocrat rather than a political gladiator. His tenure has been characterized by key reforms, including the removal of age restrictions for university admissions and efforts to align education with labor market demands.  

However, in Lagos politics, administrative competence is often secondary to political strategy. Alausa’s growing acceptance among APC powerbrokers suggests that he has mastered the art of navigating the state's intricate political network without engaging in open confrontations. His ability to secure backing from influential stakeholders while maintaining a relatively low public profile is reminiscent of previous governors who were underestimated before their eventual rise.  

For months, speculation over Sanwo-Olu’s successor has been rife, with various names floated by different interest groups. But with the League of Concerned Lagosians' endorsement, the field is narrowing. If this backing reflects a broader consensus within the APC, Alausa’s emergence as the party’s gubernatorial candidate could be imminent.  

Should he officially secure the APC ticket, it would signal yet another example of Lagos' political tradition—where those quietly positioned by the system ultimately ascend. It would also reaffirm the enduring influence of the Tinubu political structure, demonstrating once again that the real decisions in Lagos are made far from the public eye.  

For Lagosians, the fundamental question remains: Will Alausa be another carefully groomed successor in a long line of preordained governors, or will he defy expectations and carve his own path? Only time will tell, but for now, the soft-spoken physician appears to be at the threshold of Lagos’ highest office.

Adopted from TheCapitalNG