Divided stakeholders and Ogun guber race
West adamant on producing the next governor
Since the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) took over control of government at the centre in 2015, three prominent things have characterised its modus operandi at the federal and the states level.
First, there had been unrelenting struggle for power and crave for positions among the leadership of the party, which seems to be derailing it from focusing on good governance.
From the onset, the various leadership of the party showed more interest in the preparations for what they are to be or get, in the coming 2019 elections instead of joining hands to move the country forward and lastly it has not been able to overcome any of its known internal bickering since 2015.
The Ogun State chapter of the APC is not exempted in the picture, as the incumbent, governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, who represents Lagos West senatorial district and some prominent leaders of the party are currently in a ‘subtle war’ over who takes over the State House in 2019
This informed the divergent positions that have been taken by different power brokers in the state ahead the next general elections.
On Saturday, no less than 2000 members of APC in Ogun, including those who defected from the state’s chapters of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and other minority parties, assembled in Ilaro, the hometown of Adeola to goad him into the 2019 governorship race.
The anxious crowd urged Adeola to contest on whatever platform he desires, assuring him of their support.
The event tagged: ‘Political Consultation Meeting’, attracted politicians across several local government including Remo North, Imeko Afon, Obafemi Owode, Abeokuta North, Odeda and others.
A former Speaker of Ogun House of Assembly, Mr. Tunji Egbetokun, former Consultant to Amosun, Mr. Tunde Olaotan, former Commissioner for Community Development and Cooperatives, Mr. Samuel Aiyedogbon and others were present.
While they insisted that Ogun West senatorial district must get the governorship slot in 2019, they also vowed never to allow Amosun handpicks his successor.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Oke Olusola, Mathew Tade and Semiu Adesokan who represent Remo North, Imeko Afon and Owode local government respectively called Adeola’s attention to the backwardness of Ogun West.
According to them, “It was during the time of former Governor Segun Osoba that the rural communities in the state experienced government attention. It was zero in the last five years.”
The trio said the type of leader they are eager to have in 2019 is one that will consult the people before embarking on any project, saying: “In the last five years government projects are being implemented in disregard to the immediate needs of the people.”
From the women side, Mrs. Fausat Adedeji from Imeko Afon raised the issue of inadequate voters card in Ogun. According to her, “We have gone round and one of our findings was that many electorates did not have voters card. If the will of the people must prevail in the 2019 governorship election, there is need to ensure the electorate get the card. Our shocking discovery was that many people who were yearning for change in Ogun do not have voters card to actualize their desire. Osoba has told us Adeola is the one that will take us to our promised land.”
In his address, Egbetokun said nobody is begging the people of Yewa to come and vote for an Egba or Ijebu man this time, we are here presenting a Yewa man to you; let everyone of us work for him. 2019 is not far. We may have failed in the past but I can assure you that this one will succeed.”
Egbetokun said since Ogun West has been supporting the Egba and Ijebu to govern, the area has been neglected but Adeola’s era, if elected, will make a difference.
In his response, Adeola promised to revive the comatose local government in Ogun if elected, saying: “Local government in Ogun are no longer working. I promised to return the council to you and will not dictate who will be your chairman.
He expressed concern that Remo North and most rural areas in Ogun last witnessed developmental efforts during Osoba’s administration.
On allegations that he is not from Ogun, Adeola said, “My mother is an Egba woman and my father is Yewa. The most important thing is to ensure peace and harmony among all the governorship aspirants from Yewa. I am only exhibiting my ambition and not fighting anybody, other aspirants are my friends, brother and colleagues in politics. Our desire is the development of Yewa and Ogun in general.
Meanwhile, sources close to the ruling party in Ogun claimed that Adeola who is not in the good books of the governor might be wasting his time and resources.
They maintained that Amosun has full grip of the party structure and politics in the state, and is not willing to back Adeola except he uses another platform.
According to the sources, the Ilaro crowd is looking for what to eat; “there is poverty in the country and people rush to where they are sure of getting something. The fact is Amosun is not a pushover in Ogun politics because he is a grassroots man himself.”
“Yewa elders have gotten the signal and the body language of the incumbent governor, it is left for them to do their homework very well if they want to get the governorship slot in 2019.”
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1 Comments
Amosun is a goner. He goofed big time
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