Months ago, Ogun State Governor, Senator IbikunleAmosun, announced that the APC guber candidate, who would succeed him will be a wizkid. He also said he will be a younger version of him.
A few weeks ago also during the Eidel-Kabir Prayer , the Governor also hinted that he would come to the next Eld Prayer with his successor, who will definitely be a Muslim.
Many were confused as to who he could be talking about since there were a number of aspirants from Ogun West and settling for one of them may tear them apart.
Last week, the Ogun APC leadership announced HonourableAbdulkabirAdekunleAkinlade, a serving House of Representatives member,who represents Egbado South and Ipokia Federal Constituency of Ogun State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC)Â as the Ogun APC’s consensus candidate.
He turned out to be the whizkidand Muslim aspirant, who Governor Amosunhad hinted about at the last Eid -El – Kabirprayer at the Muslim Praying ground, Lantoro, Abeokuta.
His choice meant that other aspirants had lost out. They include Ogun Speaker, SurajAdekunbi; Governor IbikunleAmosun’s Chief of staff, ToluOdebiyi; Kola Lawal,Chairman, Local Government Service Commission; RotimiRahmon, Hon. AbiodunIsiaqAkinlade, Hon. AbdulkabirAkinlade and AbayomiHunye.
When he first spoke of a Wizkidor a Muslim, many felt, the Governor was talking about, the Speaker of Ogun House Of Assembly, Rt. Hon SurajAdekunbi, who has been one ofGovernor Amosun’s loyalists since the beginning of the SIA-led administration and he is also from Ogun West , the only senatorial district that has never produce a Governor since the creation of Ogun State.
The long list of almost a dozen aspirants from Ogun West, who were desirous of succeeding Amosunon the platform of APC, was trimmed to a final list of the duo of ToluOdebiyiand AbdulkadirAkinlade, according to an inside source.
Many things worked for AbdulkadirAkinlade, Triple A as he is fondly called. Although, many people were not looking in his direction as they were earlier misled this year by the news circulating in the party that Governor Amosunhad ruled out Triple A because he was becoming too pompous and acting like he didn’t need the Governor to get the gubernatorial ticket. A source alleged that Triple A had approached some party Elders to get the ticket . This they said did not go down well with Governor Amosunand he regarded him as someone who might betray him when he becomes Governor. All these made people shift their focus from Tripple A.
But the table turned and one could not ignore the role of formerSenator IyaboAnisulowowho put Triple A forward to Governor Amosun. She didn’t relent on making sure he got the ticket, but at a point when the decision of the Governor looked uncertain, she put forward to the governor another credible aspirant, BiyiOtegbeye. Going by the Yewafactor ,BiyiOtegbeyeis another aspirant, who could fly high if given the ticket. Considering his background and if going by the Ilaro factor, he would pull the election as he has his own fans and loyalists in Yewatoo. Senator IyaboAnisulowois a grassroot politician, who understands the logic and game of politics. She might be a woman, Butshes very influential and knows her way around in Ogun politics.
Ogun Chief of Staff, ToluOdebiyi, was also rated high as one of those GovernorAmosunwas looking at to be his successor, as it was reavealed that they share a close bond. He is someone he could also trust.
The 56-year-old, who hails from Ewekoro Local Government area of the state, was until his latest elevation the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government &Chieftaincy Affairs.
City People gathered that the governor wanted to settle for Odebiyibecause he regards him a trusted ally who would consolidate on the gains of his eight-year rule as well as help to cover his tracks when he leaves power in 2019.
Odebiyi’slate father, Chief Jonathan Odebiyi, was a grassroot politician of repute during his lifetime.
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