Why PDP’s Aderinokun – Not Abiodun’s Chief Of Staff – Is Tagged Senator Amosun’s “Successor”

An interesting political play is unraveling in Ogun Central where former Governor Ibikunle Amosun represents in the Senate.

Amosun was unable to retain the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for another term in the senate in the face of talks of “compensation” after stepping down for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to become the APC presidential candidate for the 2023 election.

Amosun who is a leader of one of the two main factions of his party in Ogun state was one of the aspirants that paid N100million to be in the race to become the APC presidential candidate, stepped down on election day for the eventual winner Asiwaju Bola Tinubu but lost his senatorial ticket to Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, the chief of staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun the leader of the other faction.

Abiodun’s faction of the ruling party is the one recognized by the National Executive Council (NEC) of APC making his men the candidates for virtually all elective positions – despite backing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo against Tinubu in the contest for the APC presidential ticket.

The governor and his men are accused of rebuffing recommendations to strengthen the party by reconciling with the Amosun faction through sharing party and elective positions.

“And that is now haunting their chances of winning positions at stake in the 2023 election, particularly in Ogun central” SocietyNow.Ng gathered.

One of governor Amosun’s main allies, Adekunle Akinlade as emerged as the deputy governorship candidate of the rival People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun state.

Akinlade who was Amosun’s choice to succeed him as Ogun governor in 2019 before fate gifted Abiodun the position left the APC for PDP in protest of the treatment meted out to his group.

SocietyNow.Ng gathered that Akinlade’s move has greatly buoyed the chances of Olumide Adernokun, the PDP senatorial candidate in Ogun central.

“There is no political leader in Ogun state that enjoys the kind of cult following that Amosun has among his supporters, the nearest to him is Daniel (former Governor Gbenga Daniel) and his men are loyal but not as fanatical in their support as Amosun’s people and they are very angry about the way their leader has been treated” SocietyNow.Ng gathered.

The added information available to SocietyNow.Ng revealed that Akinlade’s move has provided an opportunity for them to show their grievances in a bid to prove the worth of their leader, especially in his base.

“The talks are that in solidarity with Akinlade the sidelined supporters of the former governor will support Aderinokun, they are not leaving APC because Amosun has declared that everybody remains in the party come what may” SocietyNow.Ng gathered.

Further investigation revealed that Abiodun’s chief of staff will be at the receiving end of the planned move is a sweetener for the estranged APC members in Ogun central senatorial district.

The Chief of Staff, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu is one of the two most powerful persons in Ogun government after Governor Abiodun.

He is believed to be one of the chief architects of the current happenings to Amosun based on advice(s) to Abiodun.

The increasing tasks of support from Amosun’s men are said to be soaring the popularity of PDP’s Aderinokun in Ogun central.

“Through the fanatical support of his men, Amosun has a vice grip on his base and a major force to be reckoned with in the state. And he is very popular with locals. So these talks are giving Aderinokun’s chances a major lift while giving Salisu a political uphill to climb” SocietyNow.Ng gathered.