Amosun group not happy with Osoba's planned return to APC, New Telegraph reports

Osoba

Barring any last minute change, former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, would soon be returning to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party he dumped for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the build-up to the 2015 elections.

It was learnt that Osoba is likely to return to the governing party before the party’s convention scheduled for April. 

Osoba headed the constitution drafting committee of the APC. New Telegraph learnt that the National Leader of APC and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is the brain behind Osoba’s return to the governing party.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun is not part of the planned return of Osoba. His political associates are likely going to work against the return.

Multiple sources told New Telegraph that Tinubu and some leaders of the party in the South-West have been holding talks with Osoba on his return to APC. It was learnt that Osoba told the party leaders that he cannot return to the party as a “new comer, having been a foundation member.”

The former governor stated that he must be accorded similar recognition like pioneer members. “I can tell you that the likes of Tinubu wanted him back in the party as soon as possible, but the cold response in the governor’s camp to the purported return is adding a fresh twist to the whole issue. 

“Interestingly, those working behind the scene for his return are planning an elaborate welcome back for him, but Aremo has insisted that he wants a low key return devoid of all fanfare since he was a founding member of the party,” a source familiar with the arrangement told New Telegraph.

According to the source, the closeness of Amosun to President Muhammadu Buhari may be employed to settle scores between the two Egba-born politicians. “Many believe that Osoba left the party that he helped form, based on principles.

You know in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies, but permanent interest. I think Amosun is not comfortable with the return because the major issues that caused the misunderstanding between the duo has not been addressed.

The return of Osoba to APC, if not well managed, may pitch Amosun against Tinubu, especially if the terms of the governor are not considered. “Also, the intrigues around his return might not be unconnected with the game for 2019, both at the state and national levels. You know Osoba has friends across the land and his influence is quite enormous.”

He stated that Osoba, who was instrumental to the emergence of Amosun in 2011, is already in talks with his supporters on the modalities of their return to the party. 

Efforts to speak with the former governor proved abortive, as calls made to his cellphone were not answered.

He did not respond to the short message service (SMS) sent to his phone. 

Recently, the lawmaker representing Ifo/Ewekoro federal constituency, Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, gave a hint that federal lawmakers from APC in Ogun State are set to wade into the row between Amosun and Osoba. “The difference between them was political rather than personal. We are going to work with both of them,” Isiaka stated. 

In the build up to the 2015 elections, Osoba fell out with Amosun. Hence, Osoba, alongside the three former serving senators in the state – Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East); Akin Odunsi (Ogun West); Gbenga Obadara (Ogun Central); former deputy governor, Segun Adesegun; seven out of the nine House of Representatives’ members from the state, as well as a chunk of the state House of Assembly members, pitched tent with the SDP.

Source: New Telegraph