by Isi Esene

As expected, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly has joined others hoping to take over from incumbent governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola come 2015.

Ikuforiji made his intention public on Saturday while picking his Expression of Interest form at the  All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat in Ikeja.

In his submission, the lawmaker said the people of Lagos deserve the best administration which is why he is throwing his hat in the ring to lead arguably the most populous state in the country.

“I believe very much in the future of the state and I know that the best is what the people deserve,” he said.

The speaker said he had discharged his duties professionally and creditably at the legislative arm of government and he had begun a transition to the executive arm as he picked his form.

“It is the same best we are taking to the governor’s office so that the residents will have the globally accepted government,” he said.

Ikuforiji expressed confidence in his chances of being selected to fly the party’s flag in next year’s election saying members of the APC know the best candidate among the lot.

“As a Speaker of the House, I contested to get to the Assembly and contested to become the Speaker.

“To contest is not an issue and to go round the membership of the party; they know who is the best amongst the aspirants in the APC,” he said.

Ikuforiji, however, said he did not rule out the possibility of a consensus candidate emerging from the aspirants.

“You talk of consensus candidate, it is all part of the game; there can be consensus candidate and we will not be the first,

“Even President Goodluck Jonathan is the consensus candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party. So, there is nothing wrong in having a consensus candidate,” he said.

Ikuforiji is expected to formally roll out his campaign in the coming days.