Ogun 2019: Amosun’s aide begins governorship campaign on Facebook

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By Femi SHODUNKE

NIGERIA: THE Chief of Staff (CoS) to the Ogun State Governor, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, have started his campaign for the 2019 governorship race.

Odebiyi, who was appointed by the Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, last year, is the son of a prominent politician and ex-Minister of Education, and later Finance, in the old Western Region, the late Senator Jonathan Akinremi Odebiyi.

The late Odebiyi represented Ogun West Senatorial District in the Second Republic, where he was the Senate leader of his party, the Unity Party of Nigeria, which was led by the former Premier of the old Western Region, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The CoS, who has been rumoured as the favourite candidate of Amosun from Ogun West to succeed him, has taken to Facebook to begin subtle campaign for the 2019 governorship race.

It will be recalled that Amosun had recently expressed his preference to support a candidate from Ogun West Senatorial District, the area that has not produce governor since the creation of the state 41 years ago.

The Governor, according to a release signed by his Senior Special Assistant (Media), Adejuwon Soyinka, bared his mind at the inauguration of members of Consultative Advisory Council for the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Authorities in the state.

He stated that he would support and actively campaign for a governorship candidate from the senatorial district as his successor in 2019.

While addressing party faithful and others present at the event held in Abeokuta, the state capital, Amosun, who will end his second term of four years in 2019, said that his decision to tow such line of action was based on the need for fairness, equity and justice.

According to him, no one should expect him to campaign, and he would not do so, for any candidate from Ogun Central Senatorial District, the district from where he contested twice as governor.

Similarly, the Governor said that he would not offer his support to any governorship candidate from Ogun East Senatorial District, but that if any aspirant comes out he would not campaign against the person.

But, the Governor, however, counseled the people of Ogun West Senatorial District to ensure that they put their house in order.

However, GatewayMail findings revealed that apparently in line with Amosun’s preference, Odebiyi decided to kick start his campaign last July, posting his (gubernatorial) views on Facebook.

“I have seen it all and that is why I keep thinking about my people on what to do and make Ogun State a better place for us to live.  It is an assignment for all of us. #Our Gateway State with Tolu Odebiyi 2019,” he wrote on his Facebook page, which has been drawing a clientele of supporters.

Odebiyi, a co-founder and Managing Partner of Nigeria Real Estate, also wrote that he was ready to carry everyone along apparently referring to his administration if given the mandate to become Amosun’s successor.

“I will not leave you behind on my agenda because you are the government, your readiness to accept me to serve you has prompted me to make myself available for you and betterment of our state. Ipinle Ogun o ni baaje o.  Thank you for supporting APC, thanking you for working for TOLU ODEBIYI,” the CoS, who holds a Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston, USA, assured.

Odebiyi, who lost to Senator Gbolahan Dada, during the last APC primaries for Ogun West Senatorial District, also posted: “Team work and collective effort would lead us ahead our challenges and keep us upward toward the development of Ogun State.  Let us run in direction of victory to keep our party’s flag flying and attain our continued Mission to Rebuild Mission. Ogun oni baaje o.”

“He who does not look ahead remains behind, Itesiwaju Ogun State ni mo fe,” he posted with his picture where he was shaking hands with two white men.

“My primary concern is to move Ogun state to the next Promise Land because Itesiwaju Ipinle Ogun lojemilogun,” the CoS, who has a campaign group, Tolu Odebiyi Campaign Organisation (TODCO) “to promote his vision and mission for Yewa/Awori people”, further said.

On Friday, Odebiyi also posted: “It is our Ogun State, let us move further in our mission to rebuild to make it a haven of success for everyone.  It is well with our Ogun State.”

“Whatever life gives you even if it hurts, just be strong and act like you are okay, because strong walls shake but never collapse…happy weekend my people.  Ipinle ogun oni Baje ooooo,” the 54-year-old Odebiyi, who is the Otun Apesin of Ibeseland and Apena of Iboro, also said.

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