All roads lead to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Thursday December 14, as notable Egba sons and daughters in business, industry and politics hold a grand reception for the home coming of Nigeria’s immediate past ambassador to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola.
The symbolism of the reception is reflected in the timing as the notable Egba sons and their friends across the political divides are involved.
Amb Sarafa Isola,fmr UK Ambassador
The reception promises to be a subtle indication that Ogun Central people are again poised to take a shot at the state governorship slot in 2027.
Newdawnngr sources revealed that the venue was donated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has also embraced what the insiders described as a political movement.
Newdawnngr sources revealed that already, millions of Naira has been donated towards the grand reception for Isola, a former secretary to Ogun State government under former Governor Gbenga Daniel and also a former Minister for Mines during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Gov Abiodun,still searching for Succesor
In all, about 131 notable citizens led by President Obasanjo and his daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, who have donated a million Naira each have paid various sums of money into the reception account.
Among other donors are Chief Kessignton Adebutu; father of former Peoples Democratuc Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Lanre Adebutu; former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Olusegun Osoba, who is Akinrogun Egba and his son, Olumide, a House of Representatives member.
The list of donors sighted by Newdawnngr which stands at 131 as at Wednesday morning so far included businessmen and women, technocrats most of whom are from Ogun Central where Isola is expected to emerge from.
However, the party platform is not yet decided.
The reception is already a talk of the town as several groups and meetings are on-going to give Isola a befitting home coming and send a statement as to Egba’s determination to produce another governor after Amosun.
On the move to clinch Yewas ticket on APC
Said a member of the group planning the reception, ”This is not just a political party affair, but a movement and it doesnt matfer where the incumbent governor stands.”
Already, the Isola probable candidature is generating ripples across party lines, especially among the Yewa section of the state which has since the state’s creation in 1976 been struggling to get the coveted seat, but all to no avail.
The closest they got was in 2019 through Abiodun Akinlade, one of the commissioners in the government of Amosun who was the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) candidate, but was defeated by the incumbent, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
However, on his own part, Governor Abiodun is said to be making efforts to get notable Yewa people and politicians behind him, if he must field one of them.
Emissaries, it was gathered, has been sent to Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, who is credited with some followings in Yewa South, but who fell out with him during the last elections.
Governor Abiodun is also said to be searching for young elements in the party from the Yewa area among who to pick.
However, the growing influence of Senator Solomon Adeola (aka Yayi) in the area is said to be one of his obstacles as they belong to the same party.
Adeola is the Senator representing Ogun West and his ability to clinch the Senatorial ticket, having served Lagos West twice in the Senate is what reportedly irked some notable Egbas who regard the Yewa as having sold their chance.
“Since they’ve allowed Yayi to come from Lagos and take their birthright, it means they cannot be seen as capable of standing as a formidable bloc to clinch the governorship”, said a prominent leader from Ogun Central who is among the group working for emergence of an Egba as governor in 2027.
Senator Ibikunle Amosun, keeping his card close to his chest
Governor Abiodun is said not to be favourably disposed to Yayi, who recently brought almost all the senators including Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to Ilaro, capital of Yewa politics for its cultural day.
Yayi’s political statement and moves with the Ilaro event is said to have ignited various interests among which are the Ogun Central led by Egbas on one hand and Governor Abiodun who cannot for now pick from his Ogun East constituency, three years ahead of the elections.
