OGUN APC CRISIS: How Amosun betrayed me despite my $1m support to make him gov- Dapo Abiodun

Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 general elections has revealed the cause of the face-off between him and Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Governor Amosun has continued to kick against Abiodun’s emergence. His two meetings in about a week with President Muhammadu Buhari are believed to be about him protesting the party’s acceptance of Abiodun as its Ogun State governorship candidate.

But in an online video, Abiodun was seen addressing some party leaders and supporters in the state in Yoruba language on how Amosun betrayed him.

He said, “Before the campaign, I facilitated electricity for some areas in Ogun waterside. I bought buses for traditional rulers, Christian and Muslim leaders. You would think I was running for governor.

“But I did this because party members were not receiving support; they were getting tired and needed encouragement. As it happened, we lost. Everyone was surprised; we worked hard, we spent money.

“We went to the Tribunal and won but Kashamu went to see them at the top. So we lost the appeal. Amosun made no contribution; never showed care or concern while we were struggling to win back my mandate.

“After that, Amosun told me not to worry that I will be the minister from Ogun State. It later became clear that he simply made that comment just to send me away.

“At this time, his (governorship) election was two weeks away. I asked him what he would give House of Assembly candidates to assist their campaigns as well as to help him mobilize the grassroots for victory. We have 11 Assembly positions in my district (Ogun East).

“Amosun replied that he would send them N1 million each. I protested. I told him that would not achieve anything but he didn’t listen. I personally gave those 11 candidates N10 million each.

“Then I, despite losing my own election, personally gave Amosun $1million which was N220m then. We were up against a powerful PDP and I didn’t want APC to be disgraced.

“Amosun won election and abandoned me. He did not offer me any slot in his government. He didn’t even say ‘Dapo, bring sweeper or cleaners for employment’. He made someone else (Kemi Adeosun) the minister.

“Recently, he begged me that I should come and take senatorial ticket. I said but he knows I have governorship ambition. I then asked who he had in mind to succeed him. Amosun said he was still thinking but that he wants to bring someone from CBN.

“I asked why would he do that. You want to bring someone who doesn’t even know party people to lead them? He is fighting me now because I want to be governor.”

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Abiodun, an oil mogul, is also a friend of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. He emerged candidate in one of the parallel primaries in Ogun.

Governor Amosun’s anointed governorship candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, who is a member of the House of Representatives (Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency), had also emerged winner of APC parallel primary.

But the National Working Committee of the APC released Abiodun’s name in its candidate list instead, a development Amosun has continued to kick against.

 

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