Counter protests in Ogun state over Akinlade, Abiodun’s candidature

Two groups of protesters on Monday demonstrated peacefully in Abeokuta, Ogun State, over the controversial governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which produced two candidates, Adekunle Akinlade and Dapo Abiodun.

Akinlade was a product of the primary conducted by Ogun State APC, while Abiodun emerged through primary conducted by a panel set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

Abiodun’s candidature, however, had been ratified by the NWC, but Governor Ibikunle Amosun had equally insisted that Akinlade, who is his anointed successor, remains the official candidate.

The first group of protesters under the aegis of Ogun progressive students, Ogun Youth Assembly, Coalition of Ogun Traders and some civil societies staged a peaceful protest at Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Abeokuta against what they described as “determined mission of Amosun to drag the hard earned integrity of Ogun state into mud”.

The placard carrying pro-Abiodun protesters also passed vote of confidence on the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomole.

Some of their placards reads: “Adams Oshiomole don’t compromise, Protect our mandate. Don’t compromise, Dapo Abiodun is our man. Don’t kill democracy, the voice of the people must be heard. Amosun beware!!!”.

Speaking on behalf of the groups, Abdulkabiru Ayoola said the groups would see any candidate aside Abiodun as against the people’s decision, saying “The conscious-minded Ogun state citizens have observed with keen interest the continued insistence of Governor Amosun to indirectly run a third term government by imposing his solely anointed candidate”.

The second group of protesters comprising councillors elected on the platform of APC stormed the state government’s Secretariat at Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, asking the NWC of the party to recognise Akinlade’s candidature.

The councillors who were armed with placards with various inscriptions, which read: ‘We want justice in Ogun APC, give us Triple A’, ‘Oshiomhole, Osibajo, we want justice in Ogun State and ‘Minority cannot take charge over majority’, among others.

They were said to be on solidarity visit to the seat of government to register their demand with the state governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

The state chairman of the APC, Chief Derin Adebiyi, later addressed them.

He commended for the peaceful manner they conducted themselves, but further warning them never to resort to violence.