The engagement and realignments of gladiators in the next Ogun State governorship election is real, and an interesting episode. The latest is the alleged secret agreement the state’s governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is having with a two-time governorship aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka.
Gboyega, a protégé of Amosun’s predecessor, Chief Gbenga Daniel who singlehandedly fielded Isiaka twice for the office, it is said, was invited by Governor Amosun now to fill the Yewa quest for the state’s governorship in 2019 when his (Amosun’s) constitutional two terms expire.
Recall that Otunba Daniel later returned to PDP. But the problem that arose between Daniel’s PDP faction and that of moneybag, Senator Buruji Kashamu, reportedly prompted Isiaka to move to the Kashamu group which gave him the ticket to contest against Amosun’s choice for 2019. However, this decision, we gathered, did not go down well with Kashamu’s supporters who felt slighted having worked day and night for a different group member to run against Amosun’s candidate.
And capitalizing on Isiaka’s rising popularity based on his long experience in the race, Governor Amosun reportedly invited him to come for the Yewa ticket. Remember also, that the governor is being speculated to have another Yewa candidate who he allegedly trusts with the ticket and has sworn to ensure his emergence as governor in 2019.
And, enter a popular senator from Ogun State currently representing Lagos West district, Mr. Solomon Adeola Yayi.
Inside sources told this magazine that, the reported deal Governor Amosun has with Gboyega Isiaka now may not be genuine after all. They argue that because Senator Solomon Yayi currently stands as the most popular of Ogun governorship aspirants, Governor Amosun only picked Isiaka who he believes can stand Yayi in the popularity contest, as a decoy. They say that what Governor Amosun actually plans for Isiaka is a senatorial ticket not governorship, and the real plot, sources said, would be unveiled a few weeks to the governorship election. One Chief Tolu Odebiyi, said to be Governor Amosun’s candidate for the job, we learnt, remains on the governorship card.
We could not confirm if Mr. Isiaka was aware of this alleged plot.
-Akin Alade
