Ondo, Edo APC and the war within

TRACKING____ OLALEKAN OSIADE reports that the governors of Ondo and Edo states, Rotimi Akeredolu and Godwin Obaseki respectively, are caught in the web of power struggles that is raging within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

To many political watchers, especially supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), there is a growing concern that the fate that befell former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, in which he was denied a second term, may befall the helmsmen of Ondo and Edo states, Governors Rotimi Akeredolu and Godwin Obaseki respectively.

Though, it is still months to go in preparation for the gubernatorial election in the two states, the political drumbeats are very loud as the supremacy battle between the governors and their opponents hots up.

The intrigues permeating the political landscape in Ondo and Edo states have taken different dimensions, as there are indications that some political forces within the APC are working against the return of the two governors.

Saturday Telegraph investigations have shown that Akeredolu and Obaseki won’t be having it smooth in their bid for a second term, because they are said to be having tough battles in their respective states.

Checks also Revealed that the political heavyweights working against the duo as well as those scheming to take over their seats are well entrenched in the party and are too important to be ignored.

In Edo State, the battle for the governorship race is said to be a straight fight between Obaseki and his political godfather, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, a situation that has now divided the ruling party in the state, while in Ondo State, the battle is set to pitch Akeredolu against the likes of Chief Olusola Oke, Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke and Senator Ajayi Boroffice, among others.

Party intrigues in Ondo

In Ondo State, the supporters and opponents of the governor have openly divided the ruling party, as shown during the controversy that dogged the recently launched South West security outfit, codenamed ‘Operation Amotekun’, in which the governor was forced to say that he wouldn’t mind to jettison his second-term ambition.

While those against the governor are said to have laid political mines on the path of his second term ambition, Akeredolu’s supporters are having underground moves to sustain his position as the sixth executive governor in office.

To some people, this is not the best time for Akeredolu, as he was seen as being in the forefront of the launch of Operation Amotekun, an initiative that almost put the Federal Government on the warpath with the Yoruba nation.

To prove that he was not disturbed, Akeredolu had in a statement by his Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said he “is not perturbed by the possible consequences of leading the governors of the South West in the formation of Amotekun.

“Fears and apprehensions have been expressed in many quarters that his role in the formation of Amotekun could ruin his second term chances.

“This is far from the truth because Governor Akeredolu is on the path of national cohesion through collaborative internal security. The decision taken in respect of Amotekun was in the interest of the entire nation not the South-West alone.

“The political insinuations and blackmail are the required ingredients needed to make it credible. But such will not discourage the governor in any manner.

“Expectedly, there are possibly, political vultures waiting to reap from an imaginary scenario, especially as we approach the 2020 Ondo governorship primary of our great party.

“For Akeredolu, everything that is desirable must be blessed by God. 2020 is a year that will be decided by the people of Ondo State; it can only be directed by God and His Will alone shall prevail’’, the statement read.

As earlier reported by the Saturday Telegraph, those in the governor’s camp believe that the massive infrastructural developments, regular payment of salaries and the governor’s developmental policies would get him a second term ticket, but many APC leaders who supported the election of Akeredolu in 2016 are ganging up against those in the governor’s camp.

Those who felt cheated in the disbursement of political patronage have vowed that nothing will bring Akeredolu back to power.

“Even if Akeredolu likes, he should tar all the roads in the state with gold, he would not get the second term”, said a politician who felt that getting another term in office would send them into political oblivion.

Another hurdle Akeredolu has to cross include the array of people eyeing his position in the ruling APC. Among those interested in the party’s ticket are, a former governorship candidate, Chief Olusola Oke; pioneer Chairman of the APC in the state, Hon. Isaacs Kekemeke; Senator Ajayi Boroffice and the runner-up in the APC’s primary in 2016, Dr Segun Abraham.

Most of the contenders are said to be political associates of the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and with the national secretariat in the hands of Adams Oshiomhole, who is said to be a Tinubu loyalist, those in Tinubu’s camp in the state are ready to deny the governor the ticket of the party.

But those in the governor’s camp are arguing that it is the people that would determine their governor and not a foreign god either from Abuja or Lagos.

Edo power play

In Edo State, the ‘war’ is between the immediate past governor and the incumbent, and the issue is about who flies the ticket of the party as the two major camps are threatening fire and brimstone over whether Obaseki will run for the 2020 gubernatorial election or not.

The fight has divided the Edo APC EXCO members, leading to a division among the state exco, the house of assembly and the leaders of the party.

The leaders of the party, according to inside sources are divided while names are being penciled among those tipped to take over from Obaseki, to the extent that there had been a major cross carpeting.

Many stalwarts of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have joined the political camp of Oshiomhole, scheming to take over from Obaseki.

Among those jostling for the top job include; a former deputy governor to Oshiomhole, Dr. Pius Odubu; a former PDP governorship candidate, General Charles Airhiavbere; and Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, among others.

A female source in the APC told Saturday Telegraph that Obaseki had to work with Oshiomhole’s enemies during the last election because he needed to win.

“Obaseki needed to win that election, and that was why he approached those people. But Oshiomhole felt that the governor should have continued to toe his part. And in politics, you have to be your own man and fashion your way.

“Though their crisis started immediately after the appointment of commissioners, it was not this huge until the last election. What played out has shown that they are not going to settle the crisis. It is this 2020 election that will determine what next.

“It is only a blind man that would say there is no cause for alarm, when the war is boldly written on the party’s wall. There is serious fire on the mountain”, she said.

As some APC leaders have continued to reecho it that the party’s national chairman would do everything within his powers to ensure that Obaseki’s second term bid does not see the light of day, others are of the view that it is going to be a clash of the titan.