When President Muhammadu Buhari was being sworn in on May 29, 2015, he declared that he belonged to everybody and he belonged to nobody. Time has since overtaken the politics of that statement. But the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State seems to have put so much dilemma before the President that when he visits there for his campaign today (Monday), he practically has to belong to everybody.
Even if the above observation smells mischief, the reality is that two factions are preparing for Buhari’s coming and the campaign, ultimately. On the one side is the APC/APM led by Mr Governor, Ibikunle Amosun; on the other is the APC regognised by the national body, led by Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and which the Vice president Yemi Osinbajo and the APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, are supporting. Both factions have issued separate statements on their preparations for the programme, with the Osoba camp also alleging that the other side is planning some kind of violence.
While the party, security agencies and other stakeholders must be at the end of their wit to get the campaign successfully done, the big consolation for the President is that both factions are promoting his candidature. The only wisdom he has to muster is how to belong to everybody – even if excluding former President Olusegun Obasanjo, his political friend-turned big foe.
