By Ayodele Akinsola
With the political rat races gathering momentum across the geopolitical zones of the country, not less than four Ogun State indigenes have indicated their presidential aspirations on the All Progressives Congress(APC) platform.
They are the Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), and Pastor Tunde Bakare, church General Overseer and running mate of the Nigerian presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 presidential election.
Others are Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the immediate past Governor of Ogun State, and Mr Dimeji Bankole, former Speaker House of Representatives.
They are locked in battle for the presidential ticket of APC with the party’s national leader and former Lagos Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, ex-Abia governor and serving senator, Orji Kalu, and former Imo Governor, Sen. Rochas Okorocha
Also in the race are Prof. Ben Ayade, Cross River Governor, Chief Ken Nnamani, ex-Senate President, and Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi.
Going by the current consultations and political realignments, immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan may also make the list.
Persecondnews reports that while Osinbajo is from Ikenne, Pastor Bakare, Amosun and Bankole hail from Abeokuta.
Ogun as one of the politically sophisticated states in Nigeria, has produced national leaders for the country.
Anytime Nigeria is faced with the conundrum of trying to find solution to political and leadership crises, Ogun had always played a significant role to pull it back from the brink.
They include the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Deputy to Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Vice-Chairman of the Federal Executive Council of Nigeria and three-time presidential candidate; the late Chief MKO Abiola, the presumed winner of 1993 presidential poll, Chief Ernest Sonekan, Head of Interim National Government (three months in 1993).
Others are Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo (Head of State 1976-79) and President of Nigeria (1999-2007), and Pastor Tunde Bakare (Buhari’s Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2011 poll).
The trio of Osinbajo, Bakare and Amosun have officially declared their interest, in spite of huge amount of N100 million for Nomination and Expression of lnterest forms which Nnamani has protested against.
However, among the aspirants from Ogun, Osinbajo has received the most tumultuous welcome during his visit to the state on Tuesday, April 26.
Host Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State declared support for the presidential ambition of Osinbajo.
Abiodun said he and the delegates from the state would support Mr Osinbajo to enable him “continue with some of the laudable projects of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.”
Abiodun’s support for the vice president has dealt an apparent blow to Bola Tinubu, another APC presidential aspirant, who has been banking on the governor’s support in the southwest region.
Persecondnews had reported that Osinbajo was in the state in continuation of his nationwide consultation with key personalities and party delegates ahead of May 30 presidential primaries.
During a meeting with Abiodun at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, the governor said the vice president is “eminently qualified” to lead the country.
“The vice president’s presence here is homecoming,” the governor said.
“We are pleased with his decision to run for the office of the president. He is competent and committed to lead the country in a higher capacity.
“Your steadfastness, integrity and character are all well known. You are serving this country and the president meritoriously for the last seven years as the vice president.
“We have no doubt that you will do well as the president and we will support you,” the governor said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin and given to Persecondnews.
The governor, who extolled the VP’s academic exploits, recalled how he stood solidly by him during his election as governor in 2019 and described him as a man who is interested in fairness, justice, equity and the rule of law.
Again, Tinubu is relying on the political structure of ex-Governor Segun Osoba to garner delegates support for him at the primary.
Bankole, the former Speaker in the Yar’Adua/Goodluck Jonathan administration, he is not feasible in the state as he lives more in Ghana than in Nigeria.
Amosun, on his part, still enjoy cult following in the state as the immediate past Governor particularly in Ogun Central (Abeokuta) and Ogun West (Yewa).
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