Ahead of All Progressive Congress (APC) Ward, Local Government and State congresses in Ogun, the main contending factions of the party have resolved to work together in the interest of the party and people of the state.
Some members loyal to the state governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, had been at loggerheads, while another group has been fiercely loyal to former governor of the state and elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Osoba.
Thursday’s meeting in Abeokuta, however, may be a turning point in the three-year old crisis, which almost destroyed the fabric of the APC in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that some Osoba loyalists who attended the meeting with the governor’s team, include Sen. Adegbenga Kaka, Sen. Gbenga Obadara, Sen. Akin Odunsi, Hon. Adekunle Adeyemi, Hon. Abiodun Adudu-Balogun and Hon. Bukola Braimoh.
The prominent political leaders, representing the three senatorial districts of the state, are otherwise called the ‘Abuja team’, all having been members of the 7th National Assembly.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the heels of the meeting, Osoba confirmed that it had his blessing.
“Peace, progress and unity in Ogun is of paramount importance. The meeting by the leaders of the senatorial districts has only one message. And that message is that the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State is one,” he told NAN on phone.
The two-time governor of the state disclosed that the efforts toward reconciliation had never ceased and what is presently playing out in the public is a reflection of the consistent effort.
He reiterated that he was never in battle of supremacy with Gov. Amosun.
“By July I am going to be 79. I must reiterate that I feel insulted when people insinuate that there is a rivalry between me and the governor. I respect the governor. He is the chief executive. He is the head of Ogun State.
“Therefore, I must accord him all necessary respect due to his office, which I once held on two different occasions. There is nothing like a rivalry,” he said.
NAN learnt that others at the meeting include the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa and several state commissioners.
In another separate interview with NAN, Sen. Kaka, a former deputy governor of the state, corroborated Osoba’s endorsement of the peace parley.
“We gathered to reconcile the party. Those issues that brought about discord have come and gone for good. As we go into party congresses, we expect less of acrimony and more of collaboration and unity,” he said.
Kaka, who represented Ogun East Senatorial District until 2015, is believed to be one of the front-runners for the governorship seat on the platform of the APC in 2019.
Against the backdrop of geo-political sensitivities in Ogun, which appears not favourable to his candidacy, Kaka insisted that only God and people of the state would determine the outcome of the race to Oke Mosan Government House.
He told NAN that the Governor (Amosun), as an indigene of the state, would be one of the factors that would determine who governs Ogun in 2019.
Similarly, and according to him, former governor Osoba would also be one of the deciding factors.
“I can say I have the support of both Gov. Amosun and our leader, Chief Osoba. They are both indigenes of the state. Consequently, they both have a say in the race; like every indigene of the state.
“Since October 2017, I told both of them my ambitions. But beyond that, I rely mostly on the decision of God.
“On geo-political sensibilities, I must confess that I am not concerned about such feelings. The most important thing on my mind is service to the people. Those whose preoccupations lie in drumming up cleavages can continue to worry about such,” he said.