Amosun’s loyalists roll out drums for Akinlade, APM

Thousands of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s loyalists in Ogun state, who are the aggrieved members of All Progressives Congress (APC), having deserted the party in large number following the controversy that trailed Dapo Abiodun’s governorship candidacy as against their man – Adekunle Akinlade, have thrown their weight behind Allied People’s Movement (APM) and its governorship candidate, Adekunle Akinlade.





This was made official on Thursday at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto Abeokuta where the national Chairman of APM, Yusuf Dantale flagged off campaign for Akinlade as governorship candidate in Ogun state and announced the adoption of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, President Muhmadu Buhari as the APM Presidential candidate as well as APC Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state as Senatorial candidate of APC in Ogun central senatorial district after his exit in the office.

Governor Amosun’s loyalists being led by his preferred governorship candidate, Abdulkabir Akinlade, 26 State House of Assembly members and some candidates contesting elections to the National Assembly – Senate and House Representatives, all received flags as the APM candidates in the state .

Speaking at the programme which was well attended by traditional rulers and chiefs, unions, trade associations among others drawn across the state, Dantale said the decision to adopt Buhari was collective, saying the party was impressed with Buhari’s performance as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

But, Akinlade, who collected the flag on behalf of President Buhari said he would hand over the flag to the President through the state Chairman of APC, Derin Adebiyi and Governor Ibikunle Amosun, having also
received his own flag as APM governorship candidate, explaining the reasons for his defection from APC to APM.

He said that the alleged imposition of Dapo Abiodun as governorship candidate of their former party – APC in the state was well thought out plan to truncate achievements and the legacies of current Governor Ibikunle Amosun, just as he described his new party as a new movement, which he said, was aimed at fighting for freedom and ensure welfare of the people in the state.

He said “We flag off to continue the good work of the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun. We have enough resources and they should be used for the welfare of the people. Ogun people have the right to choose their leaders without the input of anyone outside the state” .

While explaining while APM adopted President Buhari as its Presidential candidate, Akinlade said the party was impressed with the way Buhari’s administration fights corruption, adding that Buhari’s achievements made the party chose him as it’s candidate , urging the people to ensure Buhari is re elected during the Presidential election next year.

He added that the party had adopted Amosun, who is contesting for Ogun central senatorial seat on the platform of APC.

The Director-General of Abdulkabir Akinlade Campaign Organisation, Sarafa Ishola said that the state needed continuity in governance .

Sarafa, who is a former Minister of Mines and Steels for Development, declared that two Senatorial districts had been conceded for APC, namely, Ogun Central – Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Ogun East, Lekan Mustapha

“We need continuity in Ogun State and that continuity and orderly succession residing in our son and candudate, Abdulkabir Akinlade.

“APM has decided to adopt President Muhamadu Buhari . In APM we have adopted Senator Ibikunle Amosun as Senatorial candidate in Ogun Central. We don’t have Senatorial candidate in Ogun East and we have adopted Lekan Mustapha as our candidate. Other candidates will be disclosed later” .

BusinessDay reports that various traditional rulers and chiefs, associations and groups such as National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycles and Tricycles Owners and Riders Association, among others, were in attendance.

Also at the flag off were the members of Inter Party Advisory Council in Ogun State which comprises 60 political parties, just as the state Chairman, Abayomi Arabambi spoke on behalf of the members, saying that they were at the event to celebrate with the APM which is also a member of the Council.