Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state was the cynosure of all eyes last week Thursday when the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) flagged off its campaign for the 2019 general elections. The event, held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Kuto area of the state witnessed a mammoth crowd which many of the attendees claimed has never been seen before at previous programmes held in the stadium.

Aside unveiling its governorship candidate, Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade popularly referred to as ‘Triple A’, and presentation of flags to all its candidates, the party also adopted President Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate citing good governance and his commitment to the anti-corruption war.

APM- Ogun’s Ruling Party?

Though the All Progressives Congress (APC) is the official ruling party in the state since it is the party the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun belongs to, nothing on ground shows that APC is a factor to reckon with in the state as APM, one of the newly-registered political parties in the country has dominated the entire political space in the state. With banners, posters and party hundreds of supporters donning APM branded clothes, anybody visiting Ogun state for the first time would have thought APM is the only political party in the state.

To many political analysts, the fact that APM, which was only registered on the 14th of August 2018 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could pull such a massive crowd at its flag off shows the kind of loyalty, and political clout which Governor Amosun commands in the state widely referred to as the ‘Gateway State’.

Though many expected that he will attend the rally in order to show his support for his anointed candidate, Governor Amosun decided to stay away, a move which was commended by many as it demonstrates his loyalty to the APC, a party in which he is a critical stakeholder and on whose platform he will be seeking to represent Ogun West senatorial district in the 2019 elections.

Speaking with Daily Independent on why the APM has quickly become a party to reckon with in the state, a chieftain of the APM, Chief Wasiu Kasali said many indigenes of Ogun willingly joined the party to protest the injustice meted out to Governor Amosun and his anointed candidate, Akinlade by the national leadership of the APC. He also claimed the people of Ogun are united in their quest not to allow their state be in control of a vassal in Lagos.

“ It is simply because we sympathised with our dear Governor Ibikunle Amosun for the daylight robbery visited upon him by the APC leadership, Adams Oshiomhole who is being used to destabilise the APC by some vested interests. We all agreed that Akinlade is our governorship candidate and he emerged by consensus, but they rejected him saying it has to be through direct primary. We agreed and conducted the direct primary, he still won but they rejected it again saying it wasn’t recognized, yet they recognised the one that was conducted in Lagos. That is double dealing and we rejected that”.

“Second, we appreciate what Governor Amosun has done in the last 7 and half years in rebuilding our state. We want continuity of these good things as they have it in Lagos but some powerful individuals, because of their selfish interests said good things must not continue and as such want to install a stooge who will be doing their bidding and taking all the resources of our state outside”.

“We are not slaves in Ogun and that is why the people said they will take their destinies into their hands and elect the governor of their choice. Since Akinlade has decided to pursue his mandate in APM, we all decided to join him there. Even if he has chosen zero party, this place will still be filled to capacity. It is not about political party now, it is about ensuring that justice is done” he said.

Addressing the crowd, Chief Sarafa Ishola, former Minister of Mines and Steel Development who is the Director-General of Abdulkabir Akinlade Campaign Organisation, in his opening remarks said the large turnout at the rally was a testimony that the people of the state abhorred injustice and were determined to resist slavery.

According to him, Akinlade won the APC primary election but the result was manipulated. He also added that there is need for continuity in governance in the state.

While announcing the adoption of President Buhari as the party’s presidential candidate, Ishola said that two senatorial districts had been conceded to the APC ahead of the elections. He listed the districts to include Ogun West (Amosun) and Ogun East (Lekan Mustapha).

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

“APM has decided to adopt President Muhammadu 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 discussed later.”

Our Victory Is Assured In 2019 – Akinlade

Addressing the crowd which comprises of various unions such as Articulated Motorcycle Riders Association Of Nigeria (AMORAN), Association of Commercial Motor Cycle Riders of Nigeria (ACOMORON), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and representatives of 60 political parties as well as the Hausa, Igbo and non-indigene associations, Akinlade who said he is confident of victory said Ogun State electorates through their actions had resolved to resist extension of political hegemony to the state by ‘external forces’ and have resolved to vote the candidate of their choice next year.

On why he joined the APM, he said the injustice done to him and others at the APC made them to look for an alternative platform to realise their ambition.

Joined by his running mate, Adepeju Adebajo, Akinlade said having won the primary election of the APC two months ago, some unnamed persons who were out to hijack the governance of the state truncated his victory. According to him, the plan of the hijackers was to rubbish Amosun’s achievements and legacies which he wants to continue with if elected as governor.

https://www.independent.ng/apms-mother-of-all-rallies-in-ogun/

WHere is the crowd ��