Tension In Ogun APC As Powerful Figures Lose Out In Naming Of Candidates For LG Chairmen

There is raging tension in the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This development is attributed to the approval of the final list of candidates for the local government election tentatively set for 2025.

Information filtering out indicates that the process has sidelined the interests of many powerful figures who ordinarily would have a strong say in how things should go.

The first blow reportedly came from the disclosure that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s camp—which controls the party structure—is firmly running the show.

This development has placed members of the party beholden to the Governor in the decision-making process.

The Ogun APC is made up of different factions, such as the OGD group, led by Senator and former two-term Governor Gbenga Daniel; the SIA group, with former Senator and two-term Governor Ibikunle Amosun as the leader; the Yayi Movement, with Senator and gubernatorial hopeful Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as its driving force; and the Osoba group, founded by former Governor Olusegun Osoba. The camps of Governor Dapo Abiodun, as well as House of Representatives members Gboyega Nasir Isiaka and Abiodun Akinlade, are the others.

The Abiodun group, based on the Governor’s status, is firmly in charge of the party structure but is not among the top three most formidable in terms of following, reach, and influence on the streets.

This has allowed members of the group to claim top spots in the list from which the final decision about who becomes the party’s candidate in different councils will be made.

Despite this, there is said to be heightened tension over determining candidates in different local governments due to the refusal of interests within the Governor’s camp to step down for one another.

Underhand attempts and all shades of ploys are reportedly being used to disqualify candidates.

Insiders insist that the inability to reach a consensus is the reason for the delay in announcing the names of candidates over the past few days.

Tension is said to be particularly high in a certain local government where a Senator, a ranking member of the state house of assembly, and a top-level party chieftain are backing different aspirants—each adamant about having his way.

Insiders believe that the unraveling within the Abiodun camp, combined with the tense atmosphere in the outwitted political structures—particularly the more formidable ones—has created an uneasy situation within the Ogun APC