Abiodun, Amosun: Strange bedfellows in same camp, forever at war

 Abiodun, Amosun: Strange bedfellows in same camp, forever at war

ABIODUN AMOSUN

It is often said that in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies; only permanent interests.

Thus, it is not surprising to find political ‘gladiators’ who used to be friends turning against one another and fighting dirty. It is also not strange to find sworn political enemies coming together to work and even make merry.

One of such scenarios is currently playing out in Ogun State, fondly referred to as the ‘Gateway State’. This time, the battle royal is between a former Governor of the State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and his successor, Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Those in the know readily talk about how the duo used to be associates before politics tore them apart. Another person that used to be in their circle is also a former governor of the state, Gbenga Daniel. In a picture that went viral on the Internet some time ago, Amosun and Abiodun could be seen on the campaign trail with Daniel, who was then contesting the governorship position of the state in 2002.

However, it is all too apparent that things are no longer at ease between Amosun and Abiodun. Their fallout became evident in the lead up to the 2019 governorship election in the state. Amosun had wanted his ally, Adekunle Akinlade, to be his successor. When Akinlade did not get the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress, he left the party and moved to the Allied People’s Movement. Though his ‘godfather’, Amosun, remained in the APC, he did not support Abiodun’s candidacy.

While some people thought that since 2019, both men would have sheathed their swords, they were jolted back to reality when Amosun recently made some caustic remarks about Abiodun, claiming that the governor’s victory at the polls in 2019 was rigged.

At an event in Abeokuta, the state’s capital, Amosun said, “During the last election, thank God Chief Osoba is here, I have said it; we won convincingly. They rigged and ended up with 19,000 (votes margin).

“Some of them later came to apologise to me. I can’t be mentioning names. We won that election. But, I have moved on. We did our work. We will continue to do what we have to do. God will be with all of us.”

Maintaining that Abiodun should not be elected for a second term, Amosun added, “Just wait; very soon, you will hear where we are going next. You know my stand. I am not supporting this administration that is there now. He must be removed.”

In a response to his former friend, Abiodun said, “I will not be distracted by any person or persons who have a problem with self-delusion. I will not be distracted by any person who does not appreciate that Ogun State is not anybody’s father’s inheritance. We are all stakeholders in this commonwealth called Ogun State.

“I am not going to join issues with anyone that wants to play God. I will leave them to God. God can deal with whoever is challenging His authority. All I can say is that what we stand for in Ogun State is an administration that is committed to providing purposeful leadership and purposeful infrastructural development across the length and breadth of the state.”

As the 2023 elections draw nearer, not a few people are waiting to see how both friends-turned-political-foes will tackle each other, especially as campaigns will start soon.

This is even as some are optimistic that both political gladiators could make up and mend fences before the election. As highly unlikely as that seems, nothing is impossible in politics!