Amosun Picks Akinlade As Successor

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has picked a House of Representatives member, Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, as the party’s consensus gubernatorial candidate to succeed Governor Ibikunle Amosun in 2019.

The decision was reached at a marathon meeting of party leaders and stakeholders, mostly from Ogun West senatorial district, held on Wednesday night in Abeokuta, the state capital.

The choice of Akinlade, representing Egbado South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, was made from 10 gubernatorial aspirants who had earlier signed a pact with the elders of Ogun West Senatorial District.

The 49-year-old Akinlade, popularly known as Triple A, hails from Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government and was elected into the House of Representatives in 2015.

Before his election, he had served as the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Amosun on Taxation and Revenue between 2011 and 2014.

Akinlade holds a degree in Political Science from the Lagos State University and is also an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School (LBS) and John Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA.

Last night at the home of the late Deacon Poju Adeyemi, the Chairman of Ogun West Elders Council, Chief Ajibola Olagbaye, announced the federal lawmaker as a consensus candidate.

All APC gubernatorial aspirants from Ogun West as well as leaders, elders and stakeholders of the senatorial district were in attendance.

Also speaking, Senator Kola Bajomo, who is the Vice Chairman of Ogun West Elders Council, said the aspirants came together and unanimously chose and agreed on the choice of Akinlade.

In his remarks after the announcement, the state House of Assembly Speaker, Suraj Adekunbi, who was among the governorship aspirants, commended the Ogun West leadership for doing a great job at reaching consensus.

Adekunbi assured Akinlade of the unflinching support of all other aspirants for the 2019 elections.

Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders from the senatorial district, Dapo Oke, said the Yewa-Awori people were happy with the consensus candidate and thanked all other aspirants for being part of history.

In his acceptance speech, Akinlade expressed gratitude to the leaders and other aspirants, describing his choice as a project and vision for all.

The lawmaker, who promised to run an all-inclusive government if elected as governor, urged others to support his ambition and make it a reality.

In the House of Representatives, Akinlade is a member of the House Committees on Army, Finance, FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Climate Change, Public Procurement, Steel, Insurance and Actuarial Matters.