Dissatisfied with the choice of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to recognise Abiodun against his choice of Adekunle Akinlade, he supported the latter on the platform of Allied Progressives Movement (APM) against Abiodun.
The immediate past Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun Central has unlocked his political machineries across the three senatorial districts of the state to scuttle the re-election bid of his successor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Although a senator on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Amosun is not supporting Abiodun’s second term bid.
He also did not support the governor despite being in same political party when he was elected in 2019.
Instead, he has been campaigning for the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Biyi Otegbeye.
Amosun governed Ogun State from 2011 to 2019.
Dissatisfied with the choice of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to recognise Abiodun against his choice of Adekunle Akinlade, he supported the latter on the platform of Allied Progressives Movement (APM) against Abiodun.
After losing the election, Akinlade rejoined the APC and later dumped the party for the Peoples Democratic Party and was announced as the deputy governorship candidate.
According to multiple sources, despite endorsing Otegbeye of the ADC publicly, Amosun had informed his political associates and trusted aides to mobilise and canvass support for Oladipo Adebutu of the PDP.
“Unknown to the public, Amosun’s preferred candidate for the Saturday governorship election in Ogun State is not Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) whom he had openly endorsed, but Oladipo Adebutu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),” one of the aides of Amosun said.
“He told his close associates that Otegbeye doesn’t have the structure to defeat Dapo Abiodun, so it’s better to support the PDP who already has a structure through the state. It’s Operation Dapo Abiodun must not return as Governor by all means necessary. More like the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
The source added that the former governor was instrumental to the nomination of the Akinlade as running mate of the PDP candidate.
Akinlade was the preferred candidate of Amosun who flagged the ticket of APM in 2019.
It will be recalled that Amosun had recently accused his successor, Governor Abiodun of rigging his way into power during the 2019 governorship election in the state, claiming that the APM candidate he supported won the election but was rigged out.
He then declared that all efforts must be made to vote the government out of power in 2023.
“We won that election. But I have moved on. We did our work. We will continue to do what we have to do. God will be with all of us. Very soon, you will hear where we are going next. Clearly, you know my stand, and my stand is my stand. I am not supporting this administration that is there now. He must be removed,” Amosun had said.
Another source added that Amosun’s predecessor, Gbenga Daniel, who has just been elected as Senator on the platform of the APC, is also interested in Abiodun’s defeat.
The move was “to cut down the Governor’s political structure because of the 2027 senatorial ambition of the duo.”
Abiodun, until it was inevitable, was against Daniel becoming the APC Senatorial candidate for Ogun East.
“There were talks that Abiodun is eyeing the Ogun East senatorial post after his exit as governor and Daniel would be hard to dislodge at that time as part of the reasons for his opposition.
“Things got to a head when the Governor engineered a boycott of Gbenga Daniel’s campaign activities by his aides and party executives after the latter had secured the Ogun East senatorial ticket against all odds,” the source added.
“With APC’s votes divided in Ilaro axis, Akinlade, the running mate of Adebutu would be heavily mobilised to deliver Ipokia and Imeko Afon to the PDP.
“Amosun is also hoping that Daniel’s strong political structure and Adebutu’s robust goodwill in Ijebu and Remo axis would deliver the Ogun East for PDP against Dapo Abiodun whom they perceived lacks much grassroots appeal.
“The duo of two former Governors have also mobilized their structure in the largely populated Lagos suburbs of Ifo, Ado-Odo Ota and Obafemi Owode Local Governments to work for Adebutu of the PDP while SIA is banking on his popularity in Abeokuta to waste the votes of APC for ADC.“