Ogun: Amosun and Daniel again

BY DAUD OLATUNJI
Governor Ibikunle Amosun and his predecessor, Gbenga Daniel were
oncepolitical soul mates who were used by former President Olusegun
Obasanjo in his 2003 sweep of the Southwest. But following their
victory, the two men parted ways and have since been boxing one
another using different gloves and political platforms. Their fight is
taking a new shape ahead of the 2015 round of general elections
Another battle seems to be in offing ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial
election in Ogun State between the incumbent governor, Senator
Ibikunle Amosun and his predecessor and estranged political
associate, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
This time around, the two political gladiators are not ready to leave
a stone unturned as their loyalists have begun surreptitious moves to
garner support from the three senatorial districts in the state.
Amosun ,a candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria won the 2011
election when he defeated Daniel's point man, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka
popularly called GNI who contested under the platform of Peoples Party
of Nigeria ,PPN, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate,
Gen. Adetunji Olurin (rtd).Two years after, the coast seems clear for
Daniel to launch another political attack on his estranged friend,
Amosun,but this time using the platform of Labour Party.
Although, Governor Daniel has not announced his defection from the
PDP to Labour Party, but the body languageseems to give credence to
his impending defection.
Many of his supporters across the state have defected to Labour and
there are reports that Isiaka who Amosun trounced in 2011 may also be
the arrowhead of the new fight by Daniel.
Remarkably, Daniel's alleged romp with Labour Party it was learnt has
the approval of the presidency which is believed to have positioned
him as a top strategist for the 2015 presidential election project.
Daniel was President Goodluck Jonathan's coordinator in 2011.
To concretize his strength in Labour, Vanguard learnt that Daniel
recently held a closed door meeting with the National Chairman of the
party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu who reportedly offered him the senate
ticket for Ogun East senatorial district in 2015.
Daniel's romance with Labour follows perceptions that the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP on whose platform he governed Ogun State for two
terms would be inhospitable to him on account of the mutual war of
destruction between him and supporters of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Daniel it would be recalled had in the twilight of his regime thrown
his weight behind Isiaka on the strong argument of encouraging power
shift to Ogun West.
Given his renewed support for Isiaka, the people of Ogun West
otherwise known as Yelwa it was learnt may havedecided to team up with
him and against the incumbent ahead of 2015. This despite the accord
reportedly reached between Amosun and leaders of the zone that he,
Amosun would support power shift to the zone in 2019.
Some Ogun West leaders, however, seemed to have jettisoned the
agreement with Amosun last weekendas they announced their adoption of
Isiaka as their governorship candidate for the 2015 election.
He came ahead of a member of the House of Representatives, Abiodun
Akinlade who represents Yewa-South-Ipokia constituency in the
consideration of the leaders.
Remarkably, the decision was reached in cahoots with some traditional
rulerswho for strategic reasons preferred to remain behind the scene.
The interactive session which was heldin Imeko-Afon, had among others
ChiefWaliu Lai Taiwo from Ado-Odo/Ota , Olumide Bankole, Ipokia; Chief
Lisa Adejobi, Imeko Afon, Mrs Kemi Adeyemi, Yewa North and Alhaji
Sunmola Adewale from Yewa South as signatories to the communiqué on
the new arrangement.
Relatedly, other leaders from the zone under the aegis of Ogun West
Rebirth recently held a closed door meeting with the executive of
Labour Party where issues of common benefit were discussed.
Vanguard gathered that, the three hour meeting had both the Chairman
of the group, Chief Dapo Oke and the State Chairman of Labour Party,
Olabode Simon leading the talks. Following the meetings, the Labour
Party it is believed decided zero in on Ogun West for a governorship
candidate in 2015.