The 2023 General Election may have just signaled the end of Ibikunle Amosun’s political career. The former governor of Ogun State has just been relegated into political oblivion, following his many losses in the 2023 general election. First, he gave up his presidential ambition to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) who later became the president-elect of the country. He was applauded for being a loyalist of the APC and a true son of the Southwest. However, Amosun’s decision to engage in anti-party activities made many doubt his true allegiance to the APC as many now see him as a politician who double-crosses and puts personal interests above party loyalty. He started betraying his party, by publicly antagonizing Dapo Abidoun, the incumbent governor of the state and governorship candidate of his party. He openly supported Biyi Otegbeye, the Action Democratic Congress, ADC candidate and also campaigned for him while stating that he still belongs to the APC.
Members of the ADC and Otegbeye were hopeful that Amosun’s influence and political strength would culminate in his victory at the polls. They were disappointed at the last minute.
Amosun also threw his weight behind Olumide Aderinokun, the Ogun State Central senatorial district candidate under the platform of another opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He canvassed for his election while instructing his foot soldiers to ensure he wins.
Unfortunately, Aderinokun lost to Abiodun’s former Chief of Staff, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu of the APC. Suffering two defeats and losing to the opposition despite his political influence might affect Amosun while seeking any other political position in the nearest future because he is already known to be a politician who put personal interest above party loyalty.
