The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Bola Tinubu, has suffered another round of humiliation from the presidency over the choice of who succeeds the Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun in 2019.
Post-Nigeria, learnt that the succession battle appears to have split the party and renewed the camp rivalry that once threatened its corporate existence.
Amosun backed by the presidency, has rejected the candidate of Tinubu and as well as erstwhile governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba.
Tinubu and Osoba, are believed to have rallied their loyalists behind the governorship bid of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly called Yayi.
Adeola hails from Ogun West, a zone that had yet to produce governor since the Gateway State was created 40 years ago.
Amidst, the behind-the-scenes horse-trading, Amosun has tactically set the tone for what to expect on the state’s political turf.
Recall, that in Ogun APC stakeholders meeting, held in Abeokuta penultimate Friday, Amosun made a declaration, that he knew those that will not succeed him come 2019.
He said, he would determine his successor, as the 7 aspirants who have indicated interest in taking over the baton, are not qualified, including Tinubu’s candidate Adeola.
His verdict, has since provoked wide reactions, with Adeola himself coming publicly to condemn the governor’s submission.
He vowed to throw his hat into the ring for the governorship tussle; no matter whose ox is gored. “I have been contesting for about 20 years and I have been winning,” Adeola had told teeming party faithful.The senator, added that: “If I have not been doing good things, it wouldn’t have been possible. I am therefore assuring you that I will continue to do the good works for which I am renowned for.’’
Watchers of the unfolding political events in the state, have posit that Adeola’s ambition could set a new wedge between Amosun and Osoba.
Now that Osoba appears to be backing Adeola’s political ambition, the stage is gradually being set for another epic battle within the Ogun APC.
Adeola had wanted to contest for Ogun West senatorial seat in 2015 but his efforts were frustrated by Amosun, who backed Dada.
Sensing that Amosun was not disposed to him, Adeola picked the Lagos West senatorial ticket and the rest became history.
But judging from the scenario playing out, Amosun will likely not support any governorship aspirant from the Tinubu/ Osoba camp come rain, come sunshine.
Speaking on Wednesday night, during a live media chat on the Ogun State Television in Abeokuta, the governor, stressed that he would be part of those God will use to determine the next governor of the state.
Responding to a question from one of the panellists on whether his successor could be Yayi, Amosun retorted: “that one is not even there!”
The governor also ruled out governorship aspirants from Ogun Central Senatorial District, saying he would not endorse their ambitions, apparently because the zone produced him as incumbent. Amosun is believed to be propping up some aspirants to possibly succeed him.
Sources within the ruling party, said, Amosun is favourably disposed to the aspiration of Yewa-Awori people in Ogun West Senatorial District to produce governor for the first time since the creation of the state.
Although, 2019 is still a long way, political observers reckon that the impending struggle for the soul of Ogun APC and the succession politicking, will dominate the politics of the state in 2017.
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