Ogun APC depletes as deputy governor, National Assembly members dump party

The prediction by Abimbola Lanre-Balogun, former special adviser to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, who defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) about two weeks ago appears to have come to pass as political bigwigs are beginning to leave the party in droves to other political parties, depleting further, the fold of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Lanre-Balogun had recently at the venue of his defection to PDP at Ijebu-Igbo, accused the governor of running all family-inclusive government, foretelling that “I can tell you this, very authoritatively that more people are defecting anytime soon. They are top people; top cabinet members of the government would defect anytime soon.”

Now, the prediction may have come true as Segun Adesegun, deputy governor; Gbenga Kaka, Akin Odunsi, serving senators among other national members have already dumped APC, perfecting arrangements with their leader and the former governor, Segun Osoba to float new party which its identity would soon be released.

Recall that APC, Ogun State chapter has been embroiled in factional crisis and controversy shortly after it had won about 99 percent political seats in 2011 general elections, splitting the political structure that defeated Gbenga Daniel-led PDP administration in two factions, namely ex-governor, Segun Osoba and Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

Before it was gathered on Friday that Segun Adesegun had dumped APC, it had been cat and mouse affair between him and Governor Amosun as the factionalisation of the party along the two lines had worsened the situation as the secretary to the state government, Taiwo Adeoluwa was alleged to have always been playing the role of the deputy governor.

BusinessDay gathered that although the deputy governor accompanied the governor to about two local governments since the governor started his assessment to local government last two weeks; the deputy governor was however, concerned with mobilisation for their new party, holding senatorial meetings of the new association in Ogun East and Ogun Central Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The deputy governor was said to have been using the opportunity provided by governor’s assessment tour to 20 local governments in the state to meet factional members under the umbrella of ‘Matagbamole Group’ in different locations across the state, telling the members of the group to remain steadfast and be committed to their beliefs.”

But reacting to the news of deputy governor’s defection to other party, Kolade Olanrewaju, a media aide to the deputy governor, said his principal “is yet to make any announcement to that effect.”

Although, Adegbenga Kaka, a serving senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, declared that he had not joined another political group, he never ruled out the possibility, saying “We are yet to join any other political association, when we are ready we will let you know in a couple of days.”

Recall that the crisis in the Ogun APC has so far recorded some defections in recent times, including Abimbola Lanre-Balogun, special adviser on environment; Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo and Samson Onademuren, members of State House of Assembly, representing Ifo II and Ijebu North-East, respectively.