The erstwhile Chief of Staff to Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Mr Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, has been described as the weakest of the three candidates produced at the last senatorial primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
One of Governor Abiodun’s predecessors, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is the senatorial candidate of the party in Ogun East, while Sen Olamilekan Solomon Adeola prominently known as Yayi, emerged as the senatorial candidate of the party in Ogun West. Shuaib is the candidate of the party in Ogun Central.
It was reliably gathered that while other candidates have hit the grounds running consulting, meeting and fence-mending with party stakeholders in the four local government areas; Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Ifo and Odeda, which form the senatorial districts, Shuaib was said to be banking on the political strength of Governor Abiodun who is also battling to win a second term in 2023.
Further findings have it that, the choice of Shuaib as the candidate of the party in Ogun Central did not go down well with party stakeholders in the area. It was alleged that Governor Abiodun actually foisted him on the party, which gave him victory at the senatorial primary election.
Shuaib’s emergence, according to information, has now created a division within the party and members have reportedly vowed to work against his victory during the general election.
A source close to the party disclosed that shortly after the primary election, instead of visiting party leaders and aggrieved members, Shuaib went underground believing that he already had the ticket in his pocket.
Apart from the party’s internal crisis, the political machinery of Governor Abiodun’s immediate predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, which has a strong presence in Ogun Central, is also giving Shuaib and others sleepless nights.
Amosun, a sworn political rival of Abiodun and incumbent senator representing Ogun Central, was said to be the most favoured among candidates jostling for the ticket. He is, therefore, considered a major stumbling block to Shuaib’s 2023 ambition.