Jennifer Akamanu
The Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that he had never agreed with the outgoing governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun on who would succeed him (Amosun) after leaving office in 2019.
Obasanjo said notwithstanding that they are both of the views that the Yewa-Awori people of Ogun West Senatorial district should produce the next governor of the state, yet, they could not forge a common ground on who takes over come 2019.
The former President, who spoke at the 19th edition of Ibogun- Olaogun Day celebration in Ibogun, Ifo local government area of the state however, concurred that it is the will of God that will reign supreme in who eventually becomes the next governor of the state.
Investigations reveals that Obasanjo has been rumoured to be rooting for the governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI) to succeed Amosun, while the incumbent governor is strenuously pushing for his anointed candidate, Hon. Abdulkabir Afekunle Akinlade, the governorship candidate of Allied People’s Movement (APM).
While the ADC governorship candidate, Isiaka is from Imeko in the Imeko-Afon axis of Ogun West Senatorial district, Akinlade of APM hails from Ipokia in the same Ogun West Senatorial district of the state.
But speaking yesterday during the Ibogun – Olaogun Day celebration that had in attendance, the incumbent Governor Amosun as well as the duo of Isiaka and Akinlade, Obasanjo declared that regardless of individual or collective interest in the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state, only God would crown Amosun’s successor.
Describing Ibikunle Amosun as his brother who will remain dear to him till he dies, Obasanjo said in the present political journey, their choices are different.
He said, “I have made my choice, it may not be in tandem with yours (Amosun). Let my choice be and let yours be and let God decide and whoever gets there let all of us support him”.
Also speaking against the backdrop of reported political violence in parts of Ogun State, the elder statesman charged politicians seeking elective positions to tame their followers who may want to engage in violence in the forthcoming general elections.
With particular attention to the ADC and APM gubernatorial candidates, the former president declared that political office seekers in the state would have themselves to blame should they fail to tame violence among their supporters ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
“I am particularly happy that the governor spoke against violence. I want to tell you, if you do not stop violence among your supporters, you will have yourself to blame. There is no earthly reason why we should not have peaceful election in the state,” he said.
He however, advised the people to support whoever emerges governor at the end of the race even as he cautioned politicians against violence.
Obasanjo also demanded an open embrace and exchange of pleasantries between the ADC governorship candidate, Isiaka and that of APM, Akinlade which the duo instantaneously complied with.
Speaking earlier, Governor Ibikunle Amosun cautioned politicians against heating up the polity, urging them to conduct themselves responsibly.
Amosun, who lauded Obasanjo for consistently identifying with his root, said it should serve as a lesson for all to always identify with their roots.
