Osoba, others absent as APC faction adopts Amosun for second term

A former Governor of Ogun State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and all federal lawmakers elected on the platform of the APC from Ogun State were absent on Monday when a faction of the party adopted the state Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, for a second term.
Even a former federal lawmaker, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, who was at the venue of the event, refused to endorse Amosun for a second term when he was asked to do so.
The drama at the endorsement ceremony, which played out at a stakeholders meeting held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, came on the heels of a clash among members of the party over the harmonisation of party positions among the four parties that fused to form the APC.
The members of the party had last week clashed at the state party secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The faction loyal to Amosun had rejected the composition of the harmonisation committee, saying it was largely in favour of Osoba, who is the arrowhead of another faction.
On Monday, those absent at the ceremony for the endorsement of Amosun included Senator Adegbenga Kaka (Ogun East), Senator Gbenga Obadara (Ogun Central) and Senator Akin Odunsi (Ogun West) as well as seven House of Representatives members elected on the platform of the APC.
The meeting started with goodwill messages from party leaders, including Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, Chief Olu Adebanjo, Chief Samuel Durojaye, Chief Dayo Abatan and Kunle Elegbede.
They all declared their support for Amosun, adding that he deserved a second term because he had performed creditably.
The governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Alhaji Salisu Shuaib, who was the moderator of the event, then called on a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, to move a motion for Amosun’s adoption for a second term in office.
After Oluomo moved the motion, which was seconded by Elias Babatunde Isola from Ogun East Senatorial District, Durojaiye was invited to seal it.
Durojaiye, however, refused to do so.
Rather, he said to the shocked audience that the time was not yet ripe for such and that it could run contrary to the constitution of the APC, adding: “I wonder if this body is constitutionally empowered to adopt the governor when there is an ongoing transition process.”
Owing to this, a former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Tunji Egbetokun, called for a voice vote, which went in favour of Amosun.
Speaking thereafter, Amosun, who acknowledged Osoba as the leader of the party in the state, enjoined the members to be prepared for the registration exercise of the APC.
He added: “I don’t want our gathering here to be a matter of Amosun for second term endorsement.
“Ultimately, it is the people that will decide.
“We are here to tell our people that this party should be one and we are one.
“I don’t want you to join issues with anybody.
“You don’t beat a man that is down.
“He that is down fears no fall.
“I will be the last person that will want us to have disunity and disharmony in the party.
“Politics is a game of number.
“Everybody will have their say but the majority will have their way.”
Kaka, however, faulted the adoption of Amosun.
Kaka, in a telephone interview, told newsmen that the adoption of the governor for a second term was not in line with the party’s constitution.
He urged Amosun to address all the issues already raised by notable APC stakeholders in the state that the party had been hijacked for selfish goals.