By Iyabo Ade
As the governorship primary to elect the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Party in Ogun State nearer by the day, forces in government in favour of imposition against the emergence of a popular and sellable candidates have concluded a fetish plan to tie the hands of key party officials at ward and other levels across Ogun State.
It was gathered that the moves which will see the key officials swearing to fetish oath in a secret shrine in Ogun East is allegedly the brainchild of a top government official and a possible aspirant in the race as well as a functionary rooting to remain in the corridors of poor.
Among the party officials slated for the oath taking at the shrine beginning from tomorrow (Friday) are APC ward chairmen, secretaries, women and youth leaders of all the wards as well as some LGA party officials.
The intention of the oath taking exercise is to force the party officials to vote against any aspirant not endorsed by the government of the day, no matter how popular the aspirant may be in the party and across the state.
For those taking part in the exercise a monthly pay of N50,000 per month beginning from August till after the elections in March 2027 has been set aside and the stipend of August will be paid immediately after taking the fetish oath whose details and repercussions has not been reveal to the party officials.
A party ward official from Ijebu Ode who will not want his name in print for obvious victimizations lamented that most of the official have been contacted for a ‘meeting’ via text messages but most on religious ground are afraid of taking fetish oath just for N50,000 monthly with dangerous repercussion.
“My brother, this is strange in party primary of a ruling party. I cannot mortgage the future of my life or family on the basis of stipends. My religion also forbids me to take oath that will involve using my blood or hair from my head” .
The party official is perfecting a convenient excuse not to be part of the process to protect their conscience during governorship party primary for the popular candidate.
It could not be confirmed as at press time if the governor of the state Prince Dapo Abiodun is aware of the oath taking exercise as he is not known to have publicly show preference for any aspirant or make comments on his likely successors in Ogun State in 2027. Also, state party officials could not be reached for comment on the issue.
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