The seeming controversy trailing the recent Ogun APC Governorship primaries was put to rest early Sunday afternoon when President Muhammadu Buhari told a delegation of Ogun monarchs that the decision of the party is final!
Dapo AbiodunThe delegation that included the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo and the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, was granted audience by President Buhari on Sunday.
Both traditional rulers were earlier in the morning sited at the private jets wing of the Muritala Muhammed Airport Lagos, as they departed aboard a private jet for Abuja around 8.30am. There has been speculation that the Obas were sponsored by Governor Amosun and his presence at the Villa meeting confirmed this.
A reliable source at the Presidency informed our correspondent that after making their case in support of Amosun’s preferred candidate, Hon. Abdulkadir Adekunle Akinlade, and appealing to President Buhari to intervene, the President thanked the delegation, especially the traditional rulers. He however turned down their request to intervene saying that the highest organ of the party has ratified the candidature of Prince Dapo Abiodun at its meeting of last Thursday. President Buhari maintained that it will be against his principles and well known stand to intervene in the running of the party. He blamed Governor Amosun for not participating in the primaries conducted by the party thorough the National Working Committee (NWC), and wondered how he want his candidate to be declared winner in an election he never contested.
The source also informed that the President expressed dismay the way Governor Amosun has carried himself about, causing disagreement in the party, dropping his name and creating enemies for him, the President. It was at this point that the traditional rulers pleaded on behalf of the governor with a promise that the governor will turn a new leaf and withdraw his sponsored court action against Prince Dapo Abiodun.
It was gathered that, unlike the dummy sold to his supporters, the main reason for the visit was actually to plead with the President on behalf of Amosun, who was recently bared from coming to the villa without clearance.
The Alake of Egbeland is expected to address the media on the outcome of the visit tomorrow, when he is expected to sue for peace among the warring factions of APC. The visit was Governor Amosun’s fourth visit to the President in the Villa in two weeks.