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Alhaji Agba, as he is fondly called, is very popular and relevant in all the 20 Local Government Areas in Ogun State. He is known to be the only person that you can discuss with whenever anyone wants any favour from the Governor. This is because he has the eyes and ears of the Governor. And he is one man Gov. Amosun trusts a lot. He is also in charge of the Muslim pilgrims and issues concerning Hajj. He is very close to the leagues of Imam and Alfas in the State. Apart from these, he often represents Governor Amosun at top functions in and outside and Ogun State. He has his own aides and security details. He was with the governor all through the recent local governments tour. When Governor Amosun’s Ibara Housing home was gutted by fire last year, Alhaji Agba’s wife was rescued out of the house. Though the house is still under reconstruction, armed security men still guard the house and that is where Alhaji Agba meets with other politicians in Ogun State, to take political decisions.
Why IJEBUS & Remos Are Angry With AMOSUN
City People can authoritatively reveal that the Ijebus and Remos who inhabit all the 9 Local Government areas of Ogun East Senatorial district are currently not happy with Gov. Amosun. Reason? They nurse some regional animosity against Senator Ibikunle Amosun over what they describe as some unpalatable policies of his administration which may likely affect his chances during the forthcoming elections.
We gathered that they are seriously aggrieved with Amosun over some of his policies which they consider anti people of the zone despite the fact that the Governor has been trying to appease them through his urban renewal projects like road rehabilitation and bridge construction in Ijebu Ode and Shagamu towns. We gathered that aside from the traditional rulers in the zone who are kowtowing for Amosun as the Governor in power in the state today, most stakeholders of Ijebu and Remo extractions are not really impressed with his performance in office since 2011 and they are seriously mobilising their people to vote against him in 2015 so that he does not return to office for the second term. One of the grouses these stakeholders have against him is the issue of concession of some Ogun State business ventures which the former, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, OGD did in the twilight of his administration. The Ijebus and Remos because of their enterprising nature got most of the concession deals from OGD before he left government in 2011 and they paid requisite fees to Ogun State government and perfected their papers, while businessmen from Egba and Yewa axis never showed interest in most of the business deals. The Ijebu and Remo businessmen however became shocked and disappointed that Amosun started portraying them as thieves who fraudulently grabbed Ogun State government businesses through OGD without mentioning to people that they transacted legitimate business with the government. This issue did not go down well with them as it affected the likes of Sir Kessington Adebutu, Otunba Alex Onabanjo and several highly revered Ijebu and Remo sons who are like role models in the senatorial district.
Another regional animosity which they also hold against Amosun is the issue of Tai Solarin Unversity of Education, TASUED which the Governor wanted to scrap and merge with Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU. The Ijebus and Remos see TASUED as a baby given to develop their zone by OGD and the issue of proliferation of Tertiary Institutions which Amosun gave as an excuse for attempting to scrap the institutions was not acceptable to them. They still hold this against him despite the fact that Amosun stopped the policy when it became obvious that it could backfire on him. Another regional issue Ogun East stakeholders hold against SIA is the issue of over concentrated infrastructural development in Abeokuta. Ijebus and Remos believe the Governor is re-enacting Egba United government agenda of pre-colonial era by over concentrating infrastructure in Abeokuta, his homestead. They are of the opinion that most of the roads and bridges being constructed by the Governor are not necessary and they are only meant for beautification. The Ijebus and Remos always condemn SIA for constructing bridge at Shagamu and Lagos Garage, Ijebu Ode for only beautification and they always say there is no need to turn the Ejinrin/Itoro dual carriage way to 6 lanes when there are other sectors the government could spend money on.
Finally, some Ijebus and Remos are not happy with the open confrontation and condemnation of Amosun to OGD’s Government. They believe OGD tried to some extent for the zone and they don’t also have high regards for some present political office holders of the zone who are parading themselves as Amosun’s loyalists.
About Unknown
Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.
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