Like most Nigerian politicians who flirt across party lines, Ibikunle Amosun is no different. He takes his flirtation a notch higher by supporting different candidates across several political parties, but never within his own party. In the school of Nigeria’s politics, the former governor’s style of ‘politiking’ is a perfect depiction of how not to be loyal to a political party one belongs to.
Several weeks after throwing his weight behind Biyi Otegbeye, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State, Amosun has openly declared his support for the candidate of another political party in the state. He has now thrown his full weight behind Olumide Aderinokun, brother of the late co-founder of Guaranty Trust bank, Tayo Aderinokun.
Aderinokun is contesting for a seat in Ogun Central Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. It is the same position Amosun currently occupies in the Senate. With this latest development, Amosun has just made the political ambition of Salisu Shaib Afolabi, the former chief of staff to governor Dapo Abiodun, an uphill task to accomplish.
Salisu is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun Central. But due to Amosun’s ongoing feud with Abiodun, he would prefer his party, APC, to lose all the positions in the state. To this end, he has directed his foot soldiers to campaign vigorously, not only for Otegbeye but also for Aderinokun, to replace him in the Senate.
THEWILL gathered that Amosun is openly backing Aderinokun for two reasons: First because ADC has no candidate for the senatorial position and two, as a show of the tight bond between him and Aderinokun’s father. Aderinokun’s father and Amosun had a long-standing relationship, more like a father, son relationship. So he feels this is the right time to show good faith in the interest of their relationship. Also, what may likely work in favour of Aderinokun is the fact that he appears to be more popular than Salisu, except in the latter’s stronghold. And Aderinokun’s suaveness is like an icing on the cake.
