2019: Tinubu, Amosun divides South West

• Hold separate meetings with Buhari

The rivalry between the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, is deeply dividing the political and state actors in the South West. Governor Amosun had during the tenure of former APC national chairman, Chief john Odigie-Oyegun, been favoured to have his ways and enjoyed better cordial relatiosn with President Muhammadu Buhari; the pendulum appeared to have swung with the coming of Adams Oshiomhole as APC national chairman, who seem to be taking side with Tinubu, and reviving the Tinubu structures.

Apparently, Amosun seems to be undergoing suppression by Tinubu with the aid of Oshiomhole but is regrouping his allies to fight back.

The skirmishes have been digging a big gulf in the South West geo-political zone.  While holding firm grip of Lagos State, Oshiomhole is perceived to have aided Tinubu to consolidate his control of Osun State and capturing Ogun State from Amosun. However, Ondo and Ekiti states, by extension Oyo State where Governor Abiola Ajimobi is guarding jealously, are out of the control of Tinubu. The governors have been working with Amosun.  Thus, both micro political blocs control three states, respectively.

Tinubu had on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, visited President Buhari at the State House, Abuja, where he assured the APC presidential candidate of his support in the south west, and also defended Oshiomhole over the moves to oust the APC n

Amosun on Sunday led two other APC governors from the south west to hold meeting with President Buhari at the State House, Abuja, to also assure the president of the zone’s support for the 2019 general elections.

 In a telecast report on the visit monitored by National Daily from Lagos, Governor Amosun of Ogun held the meeting with Buhari in the company of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

Buhari had at the Wednesday meeting, met with Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, at the State House, Abuja.

Amosun had after the meeting told State House Correspondents that they were at the Presidential Villa to assure President Buhari of their support and that their respective states will vote for the president in 2019.

Akeredolu also told State House Correspondents that they were at the Villa to discuss critical issues in the ruling party. The Ondo Governor remarked that the meeting deliberated on issues that would move the party forward as they prepare for 2019.