As moves to consolidate the former President Olusegun Obasanjo's newly formed Coalition for Nigerian Movement (CNM) formed to oust President Muhammadu Buhari, continue, Deputy National Chairman (South) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Segun Oni held a closed-door meeting with some top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC from Ekiti State last two days ago.
Those who attended the meeting, which was held in the Abuja private residence of a top ally of Obasanjo included the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Senator Biodun Olujimi and Mr Cyril Fasuyi.
Attendees from the APC camp were the State Publicity Secretary; Taiwo Olatunbosun, Pastor Yemi Olayinka, Hon Dele Ajibola, a commissioner in the Federal Character Commission, Bunmi Ojo and Hon Kayode Babade.
Source disclosed that the meeting, which lasted for about three hours, was centered on how to form what was termed as “Third Force” to wrestle power in Ekiti State from the hands of the incumbent Governor of the State, Mr Ayo Fayose.
The possibility of Oni getting the APC ticket was discussed and concluded as “slim and unrealistic”, considering Fayemi’s interest in the governorship and his coming together with former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Niyi Adebayo.
It was agreed that both Adeyeye and Olujimi should remain in the PDP to “damage the party internally” pending the conduct of the governorship primary election, with Adeyeye getting kudos for his foresight in establishing a radio station, which they said will be used to propagate the Third Force idea.
“On the part of Oni and his group, it was also agreed that he (Oni) should remain in the APC till April, this year that he is expected to resign his opposition as the Deputy National Chairman (South).
“Those coming into the coalition from the APC will produce governor, two senators and three Reps while those from PDP will get the deputy governorship, one senatorial and three Reps slots.
“Already, Adeyeye is being tipped to deputise Oni, with the understanding that if he (Oni) wins, he can only spend one term, thereby giving Adeyeye the opportunity of contesting the governorship in 2022,” the source revealed.
It should be recalled that Oni, who is presently nursing the ambition of picking the APC ticket to contest the July 14, 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State, was among those who left PDP in 2014 on the instruction of Obasanjo.
In 2012, Obasanjo installed the duo of Oyinlola and Oni were installed as PDP national secretary and National Vice Chairman (Southwest) respectively. It was the removal Oyinlola, Oni and Chief Bode Mustapha from the PDP national exco that angered Obasanjo in 2013.
“Segun Oni is Obasanjo’s person 100 per cent and whatever he is asked to do by the former President is what he will do. Oni has said several times that if Obasanjo wants him as his gateman, he will willingly accept.
Also, it was gathered few days ago that the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi may have placed Oni and other APC leaders in his camp under close watch over their closeness to Obasanjo.
Fayemi reportedly said; “We know that Engr Segun Oni will follow Obasanjo to anywhere he goes and with Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola coming out openly today at the launching of Obasanjo's Coalition Movement as its coordinator, it is certain that Oni is no longer with us. But we will be watching him and his men.”
Fayemi was said to have informed President Buhari about Oni’s strong affinity with Obasanjo when he visited him alongside former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Niyi Adebayo a few weeks ago.
“Oyinlola’s presence at the launch of the coalition movement in Abuja has confirmed all our worries. Oyinlola and Oni are like five and six politically and it is certain that he (Oni) will be involved in the coalition to stop Baba (Buhari) from seeking reelection,” the source quoted Fayemi to have said.
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