*Photo: Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola*
Immediate past Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, has called on politicians in Ogun State to eschew hostile transitions from one Governor to the other.
Ambassador Isola made the remark on Wednesday,27th November 2024, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital,at a gathering hosted by Ogun Women-in-Politics to mark his 64th birthday.
The birthday event, held at the Ibara GRA residence of former Ogun State Governor and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Segun Osoba, attracted many political stakeholders in the state.
The former Minister of Mines and Steel Development urged Ogun politicians to emulate Lagos’ model of harmonious succession, which, according to him, has significantly contributed to the state’s development.
He said “We cannot continue with this pattern of hostile transitions and expect Ogun State to develop like Lagos.”
Ambassador Isola, who is also a former Secretary to Ogun State Government, said he had in a bid to forster unity, held consultations with key stakeholders, including former Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, as well as Governor Dapo Abiodun.
He disclosed that traditional rulers such as the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, were also consulted as part of his reconciliation efforts.
He said “From Governor Segun Osoba to Governor Gbenga Daniel, from Daniel to Governor Ibikunle Amosun and from Amosun to the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, it had been a successive hostile handing over. And this has not helped our state to develop to the desired level.
“To correct this anomaly, I have visited Senator Gbenga Daniel in Abuja, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in Lagos and Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta..
“Also, I visited the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, to express my concerns. We need to work on this so that our state can fare better and achieve its full potential.”
Speaking about the 2027 governorship race, he said the Egba people, for the first time, are united in their demand for the governorship to be zoned to Ogun Central Senatorial District.
“This is the first time the Egba people have unanimously agreed that Ogun Central should produce the next governor,” he said, noting that since 2019, Egba people have not held key positions such as deputy governor, Secretary to the State Government, or Head of Service.
He, however, dismissed claims that Egba politicians have consistently opposed Ogun West’s aspirations for the governorship.
Ambassador Isola highlighted instances where prominent Egba leaders, including himself, supported Ogun West candidates.
According to him, “The Egba people have been political allies of the Yewa people. Each time a Yewa person aspires for the governorship, you will find a strong Egba person as the main backbone.
“Former President Olusegun Obasanjo threw his all behind the late Tunji Olurin in 2011 and I served as his DG Campaigns.
“In 2019, he supported Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, while the then governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun wholeheartedly supported Adekunle Akinlade, and I also served as the DG Campaigns.
“In 2023, Senator Amosun who is an Egba man equally supported Biyi Otegbeye, a Yewa man against the incumbent governor. If you analyse my chronicle, you will see that Ogun Central has always rallied behind an Ogun Central person to become governor.”
He counselled that “Divisive politics brings nothing but retrogression. We must work together to ensure peace, love, and harmony for the betterment of Ogun State.”
Ambassador Isola commended Ogun Women-in-Politics for their dedication to promoting unity and encouraged them to continue advocating for harmonious political practices.
Leader of the group, Mrs Bose Akande, extolled the qualities of Ambassador Isola and congratulated him on his birthday anniversary.
She assured that Ogun Women-in-Politics would rally behind any governorship aspirant who genuinely supports women’s involvement in politics.