Group picks Amosun’s aide as APC governorship candidate

A group under the banner of Ijebu/Remo Governorship Agenda Elders Forum, has picked Chief Bimbo Ashiru, as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Ogun East Senatorial District.

Ashiru who is currently the state commissioner for Commerce and Industry hails from Ijebu-Ode, and belongs to the Royal Court of the Awujale and Paramount of Ijebuland.

He was said to have defeated two former deputy governors of the state, Alhaji Adegbenga Kaka and Prince Segun Adesegun, former Speaker of the Lagos State of Assembly, Senator Olorunimbe Mamora.

Other aspirants defeated by Ashiru were Chief Jimi Lawal, the state commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Muyiwa Oladipo, Dr Kazeem and Mr Owodunni Opeyemi.

The governorship aspirants were screened during a meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Ogun East Senatorial District under the chairmanship of Chief Gbolade Osinowo.

A four-man committee led by Chief Olu Okuboyejo conducted the screening exercise.

Ashiru was said to have scored 89 points closely followed by Mamora with 88.25 points and Oladipo with 87.5 points.

While Ogunowo polled 82 points followed by Kaka who scored 80 points; Lawal with 77 points; Kazeem scored 58.5 points; Adesegun with 54 points and Owodunni with 44 points.

Osinowo described the exercise as transparent explaining that the exercise was conducted to avoid multiplicity of candidates that might eventually scuttle the chance of the district in producing an Ogun East man for the exalted position.

Osinowo said, “This is only the first step. There are still many steps to victory and we are going to take those steps. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that this candidate wins the heart, the minds of everybody in Ogun State.

“After this, we are going to launch a massive campaign. We are to going to go round the state to ensure our candidate carries the day for 2019.

“I have absolute confidence and trust in them (Panel members). If I didn’t have trust in them, if there was an iota of doubt in my mind, we would not have continued.

“We would not have accepted their report. For those four men, they are integrity personified. I have known them. They are people that have important positions. So, they have seen it all. They are people that money cannot buy. They are absolutely incorruptible and we have absolute confidence in them.”

While speaking with newsmen after his emergence, Ashiru, promised to build on the legacies of the incumbent, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

“I feel humbled. I feel honoured and I believe this is a service to mankind. We will want to continue the mission to rebuild Ogun State. The need to continue the rebuilding mission is very key and we need somebody who has passion, vision and the kind of zeal like that of His Excellency. He is somebody I have a fine relationship with. He is my friend, my boss, and mentor. And it is easy for me to combine all of these and work tirelessly and be able to support what he has done.”