Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has told Governor Ibikunle Amosun to thread softly and allow God Almighty to decide for Ogun state on who become next governor of the state, the outgoing governor should be planning to support whoever emerges rather than working to install a successor.
BusinessDay reports that while the governor is working to have a successor in person of Adekunle Akinlade though on the platform of a new party – Allied People’s Movement (APM) as against the governor’s official political party – All Progressives Congress (APC), the former president has publicly declared his support for Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, a third term governorship candidate who is contesting next year election on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking at Ibogun Olaogun Day, a cultural festival annually celebrated by Owu people in Ifo on Wednesday, the elder statesman asked all Ogun state residents, including Governor Ibikunle Amosun to support whoever emerges governor at the end of the race, adding that everybody should work against electoral violence and ensure successful general elections.
He said, “I have made my choice, it may not be in tandem with yours (Amosun). Let my choice be and let yours be and let God decide and whoever gets there let all of us support him.
“I am particularly happy that the Governor spoke against violence. I want to tell you, if you do not stop violence among your supporters, you will have yourself to blame. There is no earthly reason why we should not have peaceful election in the state.”
The former president, who demanded an open embrace and exchange of pleasantries between Isiaka of ADC and Akinlade of ADM, warned the duo against act of violence and keeping malice against each other, just as he declared that if governorship candidates do not stop violence among their supporters, they would have themselves to blame.
Earlier, Governor Ibikunle Amosun cautioned politicians not to heat up the polity and conduct themselves responsibly as the 2019 general elections should be guarded jealously in order to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
Governor Amosun, who lauded Obasanjo for consistently identifying with his roots, said it should serve as a lesson for all to always identify with their roots and serve their people in whatever capacity they can at all times.
RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta
