Femi Pedro

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Olufemi Pedro

Olufemi Pedro (born 29 January 1955 in Lagos) has been the Deputy Governor of Lagos State since 2003. Prior to his election into office alongside Bola Tinubu, he was the Chief Executive Officer of First Atlantic Bank, now First Inland Bank. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from University of Wisconsin-Superior (1976-1978) and a Master's degree in Economics from Wichita State University (1979-1981).

Career wise, Femi Pedro has been appraised for his contributions to the fields of Banking. Among the leadership responsibilities and experience he had are Council member, Chartered institute of Bankers of Nigeria from 1994 to 2002, Chairman, First Atlantic Online Limited 2002-2003 and member Chartered Institute of Bankers Disciplinary Tribunal 2001.

His profile in public office has risen since 2003. In a recent rally organized to urge the youths to get involved in affairs of the state, he was famously quoted as saying; "We must act today to preserve tomorrow, we must harness all the creative energies at our disposal and command, renew our determination and courage, activate our faith and belief of a better future. We must seize the moment to create our future. It is a task that must be fulfilled. ⁽¹⁾"

He recently declared his intention to run for office as the Governor of Lagos State in 2007. It remains to be seen how his ambitions will materialize. He has been linked to a variety of political groups, and he is rumoured to have a strong grassroots following, enormous corporate support and a very powerful religious backing.

In recent weeks, there have been strong indications of a feud emerging between himself and Tinubu. It appears not to be unconnected with Pedro's ambition. Political analysts have predicted a showdown between the two political figures. It has been calculated that Pedro's pedigree and corporate backing may give him the edge.

On 13 December 2006, Pedro dumped the Action Congress to declare under the Labour Party, citing gross manipulation by Tinubu to favour a relative of his to become the Governor in 2007. It is expected that other aggrieved aspirants and chieftans will fold into Pedro's new platform.

On 30 January 2007, Femi Pedro named a University lecturer, Alhaja Oluranti Adebule, as his running mate for the April 19 elections. Adebule, who teaches Islamic studies at the Lagos State University (LASU), is from the Badagry division of the state. Solidarity and goodwill messages also poured in for Pedro from the various stakeholders in the party, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), teachers, pensioners, Hausa and Igbo communities, women groups, students and youth bodies. ⁽²⁾

He is married to Justice Jumoke Pedro, a High Court Judge in Lagos; they have 4 children.