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| Hon. Bayo Osinowo vs. Sen. Gbenga Ashafa |
After the massive battle between Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu to pick the next APC Governorship flagbearer for the 2019 election, in a battle that was akin to world war 3, where BOS emerged victorious at the end of the day, the next battle that was of massive proportion again, which many had even tagged "wrestlemania 100" because of the caliber of opponents facing each other was that between the 2 terms incumbent Senator representing the Lagos East Federal Constitutency, that's talking about the stupendously wealthy, Senator Gbenga Bereehu Ashafa and Hon. Bayo Osinowo aka Pepper.
Many had thought that with Senator Ashafa's very very deep pocket, his perceived closeness to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader of APC and his experience at being on his 2nd, 4 years term as a Senator pand now gunning for the 3rd term, that it was going to be either a straight forward battle, an annihilation of a sort, have found in Bayo Osinowo, a rugged battler, one not easily intimidated by anything and a highly resourceful grassroots mobilizer, ready to give as much as he can also take.
What the Chairman of the Committee on Land Transport, in the person of Senator Ashafa, who is in his 60s had thought would just be a walk-over, over his opponent in his 60s too (infact both are 63, with Ashafa older by by 5 months), in the person of Hon. Bayo Osinowo has been found to not just be as straight forward as was envisaged. Senator Ashafa though boasts an intimidating profile.
From running his own thriving company which he later sold in 98, he became the Director of Planning, Governor's office during Asiwaju's tenure as Governor of Lagos. From that position he later became the Executive Secretary in charge of Land use and allocations in Lagos for 5 years (2001 to 2005), from that lucrative position he was elevated to the more powerful position of Permanent Secretary Lands Bureau, where he reigned for 6 years (2005 to 2010). It was from that position that he later became a Senator in 2011.
Adebayo Sikiru Osinowo also known by his nickname pepper on the other hand, is a member and has been a (Lawmaker) of the Lagos State House of Assembly, in fact a very influential one at that on his 4th term (16 years) 2003 till date representing Kosofe 1. So he is not a neophyte like some have thought. Apart from that also, he has also done very well for himself in business too (construction and dredging), with a massive and thriving investment in the marble business. The other major factor that must have also given him the confidence to want to want to take over from Ashafa is also because he too like Ashafa, has the listening ear of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and not just him alone, also that of Governor Rauf Aregbesola. Some have even speculated, though without any confirmation whatsoever that he might actually be an anointed of the Jagaban, on that we are not too sure and that's because, Asiwaju and Senator Ashafa have both come a very long way and if in actual fact there was going to be a change of baton, we are too sure that Senator Ashafa would have withdrawn tactically from the contest in the 1st instance.
So the actual battle went down yesterday and though the results have not come out officially, some have claimed that an upset might be in the offing! So we are eagerly waiting to hear the official results and pronouncement later today to see who amongst the 2 gallant men, would carry the day.
Ashafa lost! Wow. What a surprise.
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