As Sen. YAYI Begins Work On 2023 OGUN Guber Race
Hon. LADI ADEBUTU Set To Move To OGUN APC
Ogun State politics is getting more and more interesting by the day. Over the last few weeks, a lot has happened within the ruling party in the state, APC, to make tongues wag. One was the controversial list of Commissioners designate released by Gov. Dapo Abiodun. The second was former Gov. Ibikunle Amosun’s move to get all his men back to Ogun APC from APM where they went to contest.
The third is the new move by Lagos East Senator, Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called YAYI, to revive his political structure, which he collapsed into Prince Dapo Abiodun’s campaign structure last year.
The fourth is the loud rumour that Hon. Ladi Adebutu is most likely to cross over very soon to Ogun APC.
What all of these portend for Gov. Dapo Abiodun is trouble, ahead of the 2023 Guber election, which is fast approaching. Insiders have revealed that Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who is now a serving Senator, is set to take over the party’s machinery from the sitting governor, Dapo Abiodun, whose recently released list of Commissioners has polarised the party.
With the Amosun Group moving back to Ogun APC and Hon. Ladi Adebutu joining APC, how will Gov. Abiodun be able to curtail them? Who will now control the state exco? Remember, the exco has always been divided. The governor controls one faction of the exco, while Amosun controls the other faction.
The problem is that the Governor’s list left out many groups and caucuses who worked for him during the campaigns and who feel they have not been adequately compensated. So, there is a huge number of aggrieved party members. It is no longer a secret that the list of 18 nominees for Commissioners sent to Ogun legislature for screening and possible confirmation by Governor Dapo Abiodun has torn the ruling Ogun APC apart in the state. The list sent to the legislature nearly 7 months after Gov Abiodun assumed office, raised dust over multiple allegations of the Gov. sidelining many political blocs in his appointments.
Some APC chieftains loyal to former Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba have outrightly rejected the nominees’ list, saying it does not represent Abiodun’s proclamation that “he will run an all-inclusive government in Ogun State.”
Although Gov. Abiodun has people who played a vital role during his campaign, the list did not favour those who stood by him as expected. Even the Yayi group that metamorphosis into Dapo Abiodun’s Campaign Team was not highly favoured. So where will the Governor draw his strength?.
How about the likes of Aremo Osoba, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu & OGD who many had thought would all play big roles in drawing up the list owing to their assistance in making sure he got the APC gubernatorial ticket that almost tore the party apart were not favoured.
Many thought Baba Osoba would be compensated in this new government as he has paid his dues in the party, and he stood firmly with Gov. Abiodun.
Vice President Osinbajo is also among those who many thought would decide the cabinet list. Apart from being Dapo Abiodun’s friend, he also played a big role in the last election and he stood solidly behind him when the road became rocky.
Even former Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel who played a big role during the election was not visible on the list.
Senator Lanre Tejuosho, a former chairman, SUBEB, had a rough time with Governor Amosun over whether he should step down for Amosun to run for Senate or not was not compensated. While they were having their crisis he openly pitched his tent with Dapo Abiodun to the anger of Amosun. He was expected to clinch a portfolio among the new commissioners. There is Chief Mufutau Ajibola also. There is also the case of Senator Adegbenga Kaka. Although he might not be expecting getting a portfolio, he was sure going to have someone who could stand-in. Former Speaker of the state, Rt Hon Titi Oseni-Gomez, worked for Dapo Abiodun at the last minute. She was expected to get something in the cabinet. So also Chief Kayode Amusan and Dr Femi Majekodunmi. Chief Bode Mustapha also. He is an elder in the party, but he was expected to be considered for a candidate on the list considering the huge role he played in the last election. Dr Fred Omojole, Otunba Adewale Osinubi (aka Wesco) too. Biyi Otegbeye, who came on board of Governor Amosun’s cabinet last two years ago is a close friend of Dapo Abiodun. Many thought he would get a portfolio too. Former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in the state, Otunba Bimbo, was expected to get a portfolio, considering the relationship he has with Gov. Dapo Abiodun and the Ijebu Agenda was supposed to work for him.
READ ALSO: HOW WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING – DAME JULIE OKAH-DONLI, DG NAPTIP
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz