Abiola supported me with N500, 000 to become Governor in 1992, says Osoba

Former Ogun State Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba has disclosed that the late business mogul and politician, Chief Moshood Abiola contributed financially to his (Osoba) Governorship ambition in 1992 with donation of N500, 000

Penpushing reports that, Osoba made the disclosure in his memoir, ’Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics”, explaining that, that was one particular humorous incident stands out in his encounter with Abiola during his campaign for his governorship

‘I got wind that Abiola had also endorsed Dr Dele Ogunsiji as Governorship candidate for the Ogun State for the gubernatorial ticket of the Social Democratic Party to run against me as a Muslim candidate’, Osoba said.

Penpushing further reports that, Ogunsiji, to enhance his chances added his Muslim name on his posters, and when he was presented to Abiola as a contestant, Abiola gave him N500,00 which was a big money then

‘To enhance his chances, Dele Ogunsiji now added his Muslim name ‘Abdulateef’. His posters proudly proclaimed ‘Abdulateef Dele Ogunsiji.  And when he was presented to Abiola as a contestant, Abiola gave him N500,00 which was a big money then’, he recalled

Penpushing also reports that, Osoba explained in the book that, when he heard about it, he went to Abiola to confront him in his Lagos residence, alleging Abiola of causing political war, affirming to Abiola that he has incontrovertible information that he had release the sum to Ogunsiji

‘When I heard about it, I went to Abiola to confront him. At his Lagos residence, Abiola received me in his private study and I pointedly asked him: I thought all quarrels have been settled. How come you want to go back to political warfare?

‘I went on to say that I have incontrovertible information that he had released the sum of N500, 000 take off grant for a Muslim candidate against me. He took time to explain to me that Dr Dele Ogunsiji was brought to his house by Islamic leaders and clerics in Ogun State and was presented as the Muslim candidate of their choice for the gubernatorial race’

‘As we were talking, MKO was shaking his legs. By nature and intuition when Abiola starts shaking his legs, then the matter had come to a head. He then asked me. What do you want me to do now’ Osoba wrote.

Penpushing reports that, Osoba said in response he declared,’ It is not a big problem, It is naira for naira. As you gave him N500, 000, so must you issue my own cheque of the same amount’, adding that Abiola in response said, ’your proposition is a problem’

The veteran journalist said in the course of his discussions with Abiola, his wife(Abiola) Simbiat had been listening and watching the ongoing drama, who thereafter cuts in and said he(Osoba’s) suggestion was not impossible and immediately went in to bring Abiola’s  cheque urging him to sign

‘’His first wife, Alhaja Simbiat who had been listening in and watching our drama then cut in, ’Chief Osoba’s suggestion is not an impossible idea. You have to give Akinrogun his own N500, 000 right now if you want to be fair’

‘Before she finished her statement, Alhaja had gone inside the room to bring his cheque book, urging him to sign. Almost at gunpoint, you might say, he shook his head and signed the cheque in amusement. That was how I got my own N500, 000 from Abiola instantly’

‘Eventually, I became governor; Abiola and I were again back in a situation of mutual respect. He visited me whenever he was in Abeokuta, and I in turn honoured his numerous invitations to events and ceremonies’, Osoba wrote

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