The Lagos State leadership of the All Progressives Congress has begun searching for the running mate of its governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

Our correspondent learnt that four people were being tipped for the deputy governor position.

It was learnt that because Ambode is a Christian, the party has insisted that the deputy must be a Muslim.

The four persons are the Imam of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Abdulateef Abdulhakeem; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Ganiyu Johnson; the current Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Idayat Adebule; and a former chairman of the Lagos Island Local Government, Wasiu Eshilokun.

A source within the party said Adebule was the most likely candidate because of her gender and high level of education.

He said, "We would have picked the Imam of the House of Assembly but some Muslim groups in the state resisted the move, so we decided to go for Adebule.

"Adebule has a good track record as well as a Ph.D in Islamic Studies. She was a lecturer at the Lagos State University before her appointment as the SSG.

"As you know, most of the voters next year will be women and we need to make sure they are given a sense of belonging."

Another source, who pleaded anonymity, however, said the current Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, was also being considered.

When Bello was contacted for his comment, he directed our correspondent to the APC secretariat.‎