With the 2015 general election fast approaching, Ogun State is set for an epic contest. Though the state’s political climate is currently filled with an air of uncertainty, going by the emerging realignment of forces, there are strong indications that the battle for the soul of the state will be a three-horse race. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) are the three leading parties in contention for elections in the state. For the governorship seat, the incumbent Governor Ibikunle Amosun is seeking re-election. However, he is faced with stiff opposition, particularly from other politicians interested in his seat. kunle olayeni profiles the governorship aspirants in the state, their strengths, weaknesses and chances.

Ibikunle Amosun

Senator Amosun is the incumbent governor of Ogun State. He is the fourth democratically-elected governor out of the 15 governors (military and civilian) that have ruled the state. He was elected in 2011 on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which has transformed into the All Progressives Congress (APC). His governorship ambition materialised after an initial unsuccessful bid in 2007. Amosun’s foray into politics began out of the desire to give back to the society. In 2003, he was elected into the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Ogun Central Senatorial District. During his tenure in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Amosun served as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Commerce and was member of several other committees.

In 2007, he contested the governorship on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost to the then incumbent, Otunba Gbenga Daniel. He disputed the election results at the courts but the judiciary validated his opponent’s victory. Amosun eventually dumped the ANPP and contested the 2011 governorship as ACN standard bearer. He polled 377,487 votes to beat his main challengers, Brig.-Gen. Adetunji Olurin of the PDP and Gboyega Isiaka of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), to second and third positions respectively. As governor in the last three years, Amosun has recorded landmark achievements, especially in the areas of road construction, urban and infrastructural renewal, education, transportation, improved security and environmental transformation, though critics disprove such. But ahead of the 2015 elections, he is confronted by daunting political battles both within and outside his party.

In the APC, the crisis has polarised the party into two camps: those loyal to Amosun and those sympathetic to former Governor Olusegun Osoba. The division has also pitted the senators and majority of the House of Representatives members from the state against the governor’s camp. Osoba and his supporters are reportedly making moves to dump the APC. In the final analysis, however, Amosun is likely to secure his party’s ticket for re-election. While his achievements may likely speak for him, the political exploits and game-plan he is able to marshal would go a long way in determining his success or otherwise at the poll.

Dimeji Bankole

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bankole, is one of the leading governorship aspirants in Ogun PDP. For eight years, he represented Abeokuta South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly. He had a running battle with then governor Daniel, though the feud was later resolved. After losing re-election bid in 2011 and defying the PDP hierarchy’s opposition to the installation of Aminu Tambuwal as his successor, Bankole faced the battle of his life. The former Speaker was arraigned for fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). But in January 2012, he and his erstwhile Deputy Speaker, Usman Nafada, secured judicial victory.

Also in February, this year, an Abuja Federal High Court discharged and acquitted Bankole over involvement in N874 million contract scam. In the crisis-ridden Ogun PDP, some chieftains who are apparently concerned about the situation in the party, found in Bankole a unifying factor and strong candidate to unseat the incumbent governor. The ex-Speaker has stepped up strategic meetings and consultations towards realizing the goal. With his political antecedents and track record, not quite a few believed Bankole is a formidable aspirant for the governorship. If the PDP decides to take the gubernatorial battle to Amosun’s doorstep by zoning the governorship to Ogun Central Senatorial District, Bankole would be among the aspirants to be strongly considered. Speculations are rife that the Presidency is interested in fielding him as the party’s governorship candidate though this has as well stoked controversy. The former Speaker’s ambition may, however, come under threat if forces loyal to the party’s notable financier, Prince Buruji Kashamu, oppose him. Before he united with the Chief Adebayo Dayoled executive of Ogun PDP, Kashamu had threatened to thwart the aspiration of Bankole in the party.

Safara Isola

Alhaji Isola is a politician of note who rose through the ranks in Ogun State. He was chairman, Abeokuta North Local Government between 1997 and 1998; appointed Special Assistant to the then Minister of State for Finance, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, between 1999 and 2003; served as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) from 2003 to 2007 and was Minister of Mines and Steel Development in the cabinet of late President Umaru Yar’Adua. His gubernatorial ambition in the build-up to 2011 made him to fall out with Daniel.

The former minister played a key role in the PDP and served as Director-General of the Ogun PDP governorship campaign organisation of General Olurin (rtd) in the 2011 elections. Shortly after the poll, he parted ways with the camp of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and reconciled with Daniel. He sought the governorship ticket under LP but later returned to PDP alongside Daniel. The former minister has renewed his gubernatorial ambition in the PDP and is among the top contenders for the plum job. The Ogun Central Senatorial District, where he hails from like the incumbent governor, is in strong bid to retain the number one seat. If the PDP zones the governorship to Ogun Central, Isola is tipped among the frontline aspirants that may be favoured.

Abiodun Akinlade

Hon. Akinlade is a member of the House of Representatives, representing Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency. He is the chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology and is currently serving his third term. He was first elected into the National Assembly on the PDP platform but defected to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the run-up to the 2011 elections to seek the party’s governorship ticket. He, however, lost the ticket to Amosun. Akinlade was subsequently rewarded with the House of Representatives ticket. When the APC was formed, he renewed his interest in the governorship. But in the ensuing power tussle between Amosun and former Governor Olusegun Osoba, the federal lawmaker dumped the APC.

He initially romanced the Labour Party before returning to the PDP. Akinlade has reportedly facilitated various Federal projects, ensured employment for over 450 youths and empowered thousands in the field of ICT. He recently accused Amosun of concentrating developmental efforts in few urban locations to the exclusion of rural communities which is predominant in his (Akinlade) federal constituency. Apart from being a politician with vast network, Akinlade is also banking on the power shift agitation by Ogun West Senatorial District which has not produced the state governor since the creation of the state 38 years ago.

Gboyega Isiaka

Prince Isiaka, fondly called GNI, was the former Group Managing Director of Gateway Holdings Limited, an investment arm of the Ogun State government. He hails from Imeko-Afon Local Government Area in the Ogun West Senatorial District. A First Class graduate in Accounting at the University of Ife (now OAU), he contested the 2011 governorship on the platform of the PPN and emerged third in the contest, losing to Amosun. He was originally the PDP governorship candidate before an order of Justice Abdul Kafarati of an Abuja Federal High Court altered the ticket in favour of General Olurin (rtd). Undeterred, the investment bankerturned politician moved with ex-Governor Daniel to LP where he emerged as a leading gubernatorial aspirant. However, Isiaka is back in the PDP again following the defection of Daniel’s loyalists. He has already obtained the party’s nomination form and looks set to slug it out with other contenders during the forthcoming primaries. With sound professional background, enviable private sector experience and sterling public sector performance, GNI has intensified his campaign anchored on the slogan “Life more abundant.” His chances are quite bright due to the fact that Ogun West zone, comprising the Yewa-Awori people, has not produced governor in the history of the state. If the governorship is zoned to Ogun West, he may well be in the calculation. But Isiaka may find it difficult to unseat the incumbent because his senatorial district has a political history of presenting multiple candidates for gubernatorial elections.

Sina Kawonise

Kawonise is the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Ogun State. A native of Ago-Iwoye, Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state, he plans to contest the governorship seat on the platform of Labour Party (LP). Since his exit from government in 2011, Kawonise has been one of the most vocal critics of the Amosun-led administration. He founded the Association for Greater Ogun State (AGOS), which occasionally publishes critical comments about the state government’s policies and programmes in newspapers.

In November 2012, unknown gunmen shot the ex-commissioner and his police orderly in Osun State on their way back from Awka, Anambra State. While Kawonise continues to prosecute his ambition, pundits opine that the electorate may not be favourably disposed to his zone. The former commissioner hails from Ogun East Senatorial District like the immediate past governor.

If permutations in the leading political parties prop up zoning, Ogun Central and West may hold the ace. Another setback for Kawonise is the decision of his political leader, Daniel, to dump LP. This has consequently taken the steam out of his quest for governorship as the formidable structure that could help galvanise and crystallise his dream has cross-carpeted with Daniel. Notwithstanding, the ex-commissioner has declared his readiness to stay back in LP, saying the party remains the best platform to actualise his ambition.

Kayode Amusan

Amusan, a member of the PDP, was in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2011. He represented Odeda/Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode Federal Constituency and was appointed into various committees in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

In his quest to further serve his state, he attempted to contest the governorship in 2011. Due to political manoeuvrings in the state PDP at that time, he dumped the gubernatorial ambition for a senatorial aspiration. He eventually contested the 2011 elections as a candidate for House of Representatives but lost to APC candidate and Olusegun Osoba’s son, Olumide. Ahead of the 2015 governorship election, Amusan is back to slug it out on the political scene again. Amusan believes his legislative experience with active participation in the affairs of the state had given him an insight into the challenges of the state. He has promised to run a responsive, participatory, accountable and transparent administration. If the PDP leadership decides to select the party’s gubernatorial candidate from Ogun Central Senatorial District, Amusan may be among the contenders.

Remilekun Bakare

Dr. Bakare is popularly called Arole Osoba – the heir to erstwhile governor of the state, Olusegun Osoba. In 2007, he contested the Ogun Central Sena-torial District on the platform of the Action Congress (AC) but lost to Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello of PDP. Though he challenged the result, the election petitions tribunal upheld his opponent’s victory. He attempted to run for the governorship in 2011 but lost the ACN ticket to Amosun. Bakare, a chartered accountant and Director-General of the Executive Business School in Lagos, recently dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP in his quest for governorship seat in 2015. Many analysts believe his change of party was inevitable following the supremacy battle in the APC, which has seen Amosun gaining the upper hand and firm control of the ruling party. Coming from Ogun Central zone which is in prime contention for the gubernatorial race, Bakare seems to have chances. But, on the other hand, his ambition may not likely receive much needed support from key PDP stakeholders who may not be favourably disposed to handing over the governorship ticket to a “new entrant.”

Rafiu Ogunleye

Alhaji Ogunleye, who hails from Itele in Ijebu East Local Government Area, is one of the PDP governorship aspirants. He served as the deputy governor in the first stint of Chief Olusegun Osoba as governor between 1992 and 1993. He actively participated in the formation of the defunct ACN and later, the APC. When crisis was brewing in the ruling party in the state, Ogunleye was one of the elders who cried out. However, in August 2013, he defected to the PDP alongside hundreds of his supporters in the Imole Group. Having served as deputy governor, Ogunleye no doubt possesses the experience to govern the state. But due to age factor, some segments of the electorate may not be favourably disposed to him. In addition, zoning arrangement may shut him out of political calculations. The fact that he hails from Ogun East Senatorial District which produced the immediate past governor (Daniel) may work against him in the race for Oke-Mosan.

Yanju Lipede

Prince Lipede, popularly called “Solution,” is a former chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State. In fact, he was the local government helmsman for three terms. He was one-time chairman, Board of Gateway Hotels. He was also the state chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON). In 2011, he was appointed the Coordinator of the Jonathan/Sambo Presidential Campaign in Ogun State. Currently, he is the chief executive officer of Solution Media and Infotech Ltd, Lagos. The free transportation provided for students of primary and secondary schools and other achievements recorded by Lipede cannot be forgotten in a hurry by many residents of Abeokuta township and its environs. Having successfully created awareness with the slogan “Omoba Nbo,” the PDP gubernatorial aspirant is making deft moves and intensifying consultations among critical stakeholders in the state. Among all the PDP governorship aspirants from Egba division (or Ogun Central zone), Lipede appears acceptable to the different groups in the party. Though some believe he is an offshoot of the OGD political structure, they still don’t see him as a stooge of the former governor. Another plus for Lipede is his financial viability. He is believed to have the capacity to single-handedly fund his campaign without seeking help from any party member. His financial war chest therefore stands him in good stead for the governorship race.

Segun Adewale

Omooba Adewale known as OSA in political circles is another gubernatorial aspirant in PDP. An advertising executive and media professional with decades of experience, he threw his hat in the ring to serve the interest of his people. Adewale entered the political terrain through the LP, where he aspired to contest as senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District. However, in May 2014, he defected to the PDP in the wake of the factional crisis rocking LP. According to him, the PDP offered a better platform for him to achieve better his intentions to serve the nation. Adewale consolidated on his ambition to run for the Senate but later changed gear to governorship after consulting with his supporters and some party elders. While he may not be among the frontline contenders for the number one seat in the state, the calculation that his zone (Ogun West) has not produced a governor since the creation of the state in 1976 may throw him into consideration in the PDP’s horse-trading.

Anthony Ojesina

Engr. Ojesina is not only a politician but also a businessman and scholar. A graduate of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry from St. Mary’s University, Nova Scotia, Canada, he served as Commissioner for Environment in the Gbenga Daniel administration. When there was factional crisis in Ogun PDP and Daniel’s loyalists defected to the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN), Ojesina chose to remain in the PDP. He has since kept faith with the party. He was among loyalists of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who vowed not to cross-carpet to the APC. He has promised to embark on industrial, energy, agricultural and infrastructural revolution and prioritised human capital development if elected governor of the state.

Dr. Yomi Majekodunmi

Dr. Majekodunmi is a chartered accountant, stockbroker, taxation expert, investment banker and communications technology expert. He was the pioneer chief executive officer of the defunct Nationwide Merchant Bank as well as former managing director of Reliance Bank Limited. Between 2007 and 2011, he served as the Chief of Staff to ex-Governor Daniel. Majekodunmi joined the PDP since inception in 1998. He was chairman, Collegiate Council, Abeokuta North Local Government Area and was member, President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Team in Ogun State. After he left government in 2011, he was said to have parted ways with Daniel following the latter’s corruption case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He, however, reunited with the former governor some months ago. An amiable personality, Majekodunmi has always aspired to be a positive change agent and significant contributor to nation-building and statesmanship. This may have informed his decision to contest the 2015 governorship on the platform of the PDP