By Akinwale Kasali
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State is bent on installing his protege, Abdulkabir Akinlade as the next governor of the Gateway State after is exit from Oke Mosan, the state’s seat of power, come 29th May, 2019.
Amosun had earlier thought that Akinalde will win the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary in the state, but he was disappointed that his anointed candidate was not given the party’s gubernatorial ticket, forcing Amosun’s camp and loyalists to defect to Allied People’s Movement, APM.
During the rally of APM at MKO Abiola stadium in Abeokuta, Amosun was optimistic that Akinlade will be the next governor of the state, rubbishing the likes of Prince Dapo Abiodun, the APC candidate, and Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, African Democratic Congress, ADC candidate, who he said are the major contenders for the soul of OgunState.
Amosun is vying to contest for the Senate, representing Ogun Central Senatorial District under the platform of APC, while his alleged stooge, Akinlade is in the opposition party.
Recently, it was reported that Amosun is being charged bythe APC disciplinary committee for anti-party activities, but Amosun is yet to be called upon by the committee.
In all nooks and crannies of the state, Akinlade posters is seen vividly, prompting speculations that he is a major contender for Oke Mosan, with Amosun giving him his full backing.
It wasalleged that Amosun said over his dead body will his party’s candidate, Dapo Abiodun win the election, promising to spend to his last kobo for his anointed candidate to win.
Few days ago, Amosun was alleged to have rubbished Dapo Abiodun and Gboyega Isiaka during his campaign at Ishihun and Kobape area of the state, calling on the people not to vote for them that they are not worth it, promising that Akinlade was going to sustain his legacy.
Amosun was also alleged to have ordered the Ministry of Environment to remove all he posters of Isiaka, Abiodun and other candidates from the walls and billboards, making sure that only the poster of Akinlade reign supreme in the state, especially in the state capital.
Political observers are of the opinion that the battle for the soul of Ogun State is between APC, APM and ADC.
The chances of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, been a contender in the election is slim, following the court tussle between Kashamu Buruji and Oladipupo Adebutu on who will become the flagbearer of the party at the gubernatorial polls.
