Ogun APC may not have governorship candidate for 2019 elections

Dapo Abiodun in a chat with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. PHOTO BY DAPO ABIODUN CAMPAIGN ORGANISATION 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) may not have a governorship candidate in Ogun  State in the 2019 general elections. This Day Newspaper article reveals.

In the article published by the newspaper, it was learnt that, Dapo Abiodun, who is the governorship candidate of the party might be consumed by the allegations of perjury and NYSC evasion levied against him in different courts.

The paper however asserted that Jimi Lawal could not benefit from Dapo Abiodun's disqualification since he did not believe in the October 3 primary election that produced him. 

Recall that Jimi Lawal had gone to court, asking for the cancellation of the primary election that produced Abiodun. He said no election was held that day.

In this report of This Day Newspaper , it was read:

Following the charge that Mr. Dapo Abiodun was economical with the truth in the latest details he submitted in INEC FORM 001, the chances that he might still fly his party’s flag in the governorship elections in Ogun State appears uncertain. 

But the big question is: can Mr. Jimi Lawal, Abiodun’s main traducer, who was believed to have exposed the scandal, profit from his predicament? 

For Mr. Dapo Abiodun, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, this is not the best of time, politically. A raging storm with the potential to engulf his political ambition and indeed career appears to be encircling him even as it stretches his political sagacity to the limits.

Matter-of-factly, if the allegations against him are true as it is looking like, only a political solution could save his skin. That is if the APC apparatchik and the federal government play by the rule and allow the course of law to run without the slightest interference whatsoever.

The latest political storm threatening to consume his ambition to govern the state is certainly fiercer than the one he weathered to clinch the Ogun State governorship ticket of the APC...

Dapo Abiodun supporters to join APM as he battles court cases

Indications have emerged that some supporters of Prince Dapo Abiodun have started retracing their steps back to join the Gov Ibikunle Amosun camp to avoid losing out.

Dapo Abiodun became the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State in a rancourous primary many said never held. 

The situation has since divided the Ogun APC into factions.

The inability of the Adams Oshiomhole led National Working Committee to address the controversies that trailed the primary caused the party's consensus candidate, Adekunle Akinlade to defect to the Allied People's Movement (APM)

But the rancour in the APC in Ogun took a new dimension recently with allegations of perjury as well as evasion of NYSC scheme levied against Dapo Abiodun. 

The inability of the Iperu-born politician to defend himself or react to pressmen seeking clarifications on the allegations has dealt a big blow on his supporters.

It was learnt that the oil magnate is currently battling with not less three different court cases filed against him by aggrieved APC members, in which they ask the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify him. 

As a result of this, many of his supporters have started realigning with the Amosun camp in order not to be caught napping, in case Abiodun loses out in court. 

Checks by our correspondent confirmed that there is panic as well as cold feet among Dapo Abiodun's loyalists as none of them could predict whether or not he would survive the charges against him. 

African Advocate gathered that efforts by leaders of the group, including Chief Segun Osoba to calm down their followers proved abortive as they are not sure of victory at the court, especially with the NYSC issue.

A source, who confided in our correspondent, said:

"Many of us with Dapo Abiodun will have to go back to Amosun and join the APM where we know there are no court cases. Court today, court tomorrow is not what we should be doing two months to election. 

"Before, we have some confidence that we are going to defeat Jimi Lawal in court. But when they came up with perjury, NYSC evasion and so on, we got discouraged .

"Just yesterday, another people filed another charges against us. For how long will that continue? As politicians, we can't be hang our fate under court uncertainties. We need to move on. 

"If we choose to stay, he can win and he can lose, but we know he cannot win all the court cases before him."

Meanwhile, some APC protesters from Ogun State were in Abuja yesterday, praying the INEC and the APC to disqualify Dapo Abiodun and stop him from contesting the Ogun 2019 governorship election.

In a related development, Akinlade's APM launched its campaign in a well-attended event, getting the endorsement of about 60 political parties. 

Ogun 2019: 60 political parties adopt Adekunle Akinlade as their guber candidate

At least, 60 political parties have adopted the Ogun APM governorship candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, as their candidate for the 2019 election in the state. 

Among the political parties are Labour Party, APGA, KOWA, Green Party, Accord, YES and others. 

Leaders of the political parties declared their supports for Akinlade today during the official flag off of his campaign at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto Abeokuta.

The flag off, according to observers, was the first of its kind in the history of Ogun State, considering the massive turn out it recorded.

The event was more or less a carnival as hordes of crowd thronged the ancient city of Abeokuta in their thousands to declare their supports for the Ipokia-born politician.

Traditional rulers, students, transporters, traders and other well-meaning individuals from all walks of life were at the occasion to identify with Akinlade.

Celebrities like Shefiu Alao, Small Doctor, 9ice, Oritsefemi, Q. Dot, Gbenga Adeyinka (The First), Musiliu Haruna Ishola, K.Flex and others were at the rock city to entertain the crowd.

57 new buses were distributed to campaign committees in each of the 20 local governments and the 37 LCDAs.

Leaders of the party handed the party flags to Akinlade and other candidates of the party as they launched the 2019 election campaign.

Ogun 2019: Wherever Amosun goes, we go, says Olu Owode ...as Egba Obas endorse Adekunle Akinlade

Olu Owode 

The Olu of Owode, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo said all Egba Obas, led by the Alake and Paramount Ruler, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, have resolved to stand with Gov Ibikunle Amosun in his drive to ensure the continuity of the rebuilding mission. 

Oba Sowemimo made this known while speaking at the official commissioning of APM campaign office as well as the inauguration of its 2019 campaign committee members today at Leme Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. 

The monarch, who graced the occasion in company with four other Egba Obas said Ogun State deserved the same continuity Lagos State had been enjoying since 1999.

He added that continuity was the only reason why Lagos State is progressing, adding that it should begin with Amosun, handing over to Adekunle Akinlade of the APM in May 2019. 

Speaking further, Oba Sowemimo emphasised that "we Egba Oba's and indigenes are solidly behind Amosun. We are going to support Akinlade to ensure the continuity of the Mission to Rebuild Ogun State and to make sure Ogun West produce the next Governor of the state for the first time since 42 years ago."

Earlier, the Director General of APM campaign council, Sharafa Tunji Ishola, said Egbas will fight for Ogun West in putting an end to marginalisation and injustice. 

Ishola informed that Ogun APM is a party to fight the injustice meted out to members of the APC in the state in the last party primaries.

He enjoined all party members inaugurated into the various committees to work diligently for the success of the party and its candidates in 2019; urging them to see their appointment as another opportunity to prove their worth as politicians and leaders of their people.

Afuape cannot hijack my ticket, Adejojo laments: threatens to go to court

Afuape 

The crisis in Ogun APC seems not abating as an aspirant contesting for Ogun State House of Assembly, Abeokuta South Constituency 1, Honorable Yusuf Temitope Adejojo cried out that he remained the party's candidate, having been declared winner by the National Working Committee.

Adejojo, in a statement he signed, urged the masses to debunk any rumour spreading about that his name has been replaced with that of the former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Ogun State, Afolabi Afuape ,fondly addressed as Afoo.

He said, "I am assuring you all that nothing like party substitution or withdrawal. Oke Mosan is our core focus and creating a better live and sustainable environment for all is our vision.

Adejojo had threatened to seek redress in the court in any case that his  name is substituted

“Please note that any attempt to withdraw or substitute my name will result in using the judicial system that the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is working hard on to stop corrupt practices.”

He explained further that the deadline of substitution and withdrawal stated by INEC had already passed on December 1, 2018.

His words:

“Good day my fellow Nigerians and beloved supporters, I would like to use this medium to clear the air about the hearsay/rumor spreading concerning my substitution or withdrawal from the forthcoming general election.

"I want to make it clear to all that there is nothing like another candidate (Afuape) is contesting for my post under my beloved party.

"I am still the only valid candidate contesting for Ogun State House of Assembly Abeokuta South Constituency 1 under All Progressive Party (APC) and this was sequel to the meeting held on the 13th of December 2018 with the leaders of the party in the State.

"Once again I debunk any rumour or tittle tattle spreading about, I am assuring you that nothing like party substitution or withdrawal.

"Oke Mosan is our core focus and creating  better lives and sustainable environment for all is our vision.”

African Advocate reliably gathered that the duo of Afuape and Adejojo have been pasting posters, while also campaigning for the same post under the same APC.

Who owns the ticket? Time will tell.

Dapo Abiodun may lose Ogun APC guber ticket as Amosun meets reconciliation committee in his house

Dapo Abiodun 

 There is palpable tension in the camp of the APC governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, as indications emerged that his ticket might be withdrawn soon.

The primary election, it was learnt, was said to have been rigged by the Adams Oshiomhole National Working Committee in favour of Dapo Abiodun, polarising the party in the state.

As parts of efforts towards resolving the crisis in Ogun  APC, the committee met Amosun at his private residence in Lagos yesterday.

The meeting, according to sources, held behind closed doors after members of the committee had met other aggrieved members openly.

A source privy to the meeting disclosed that the ticket dubiously given to Dapo Abiodun would be withdrawn  any time soon.

The development was said to have caused palpable tension among his followers as they run around to save the ugly situation.

Meanwhile, Dapo Abiodun is still in court over the authenticity of his candidature, in a suit filed by an aggrieved Ogun APC governorship aspirant, Jimi Lawal

Jimi Lawal had approached the court, seeking the cancellation of the election that produced Dapo Abiodun as the candidate of the APC in Ogun State.

His position was that no election was held on October 3 as being claimed by the APC NWC .