The battle for the soul of Ogun State towards 2015 has started in earnest no doubt. But the major actor of the plot currently is no other person than the present occupier of the governorship seat, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

Ironically, the skirmishes which started within the ruling APC have now become a threat to the second term ambition of the incumbent Governor.

The seemingly intra party crisis snowballed into a full blown war few weeks ago as factions within the party engaged one another in a fierce battle where dangerous weapons including guns were freely used while many including police and journalists ended up in hospitals as a result of injuries sustained during the melee.

However, Governor Amosun who has been fingered as architect of the ensuing war due to his inordinate second term ambition has also started shouting on rooftop through an open letter that the pockets of violence being witnessed across the state recently is only aimed at tarnishing his image by his political detractors within APC.

In another swift reaction by the parties involved and led by Senator Gbenga Obadara who is representing Ogun Central Senatorial district at the National Assembly and also escaped death by the whiskers during one of the crises at Wasinmi, Ewekoro Local Government area penultimate week has also petitioned the Senate that the Governor is after his life.

Meanwhile, the crisis which started within the two factions who are loyal to former Governor Olusegun Osoba (Matagbamole) and sympathisers of Governor Amosun(Tobalase/SIA) over who controls the party structure seems to have been taking a dangerous dimension as it has now attracted attention of National Assembly as they have replied  the Governor’s letter but accused him of being the culprit behind the pockets of violence in the State.

Part of the letter read ““…as there were almost 10 different references to a perceived group Obadara belongs to. Unfortunately, you missed it.

Unlike your SIA Group, we have no group outside the recognized structures of the APC. We’ve never been involved in factionalisation.

Whatever God has blessed us with we extend same to the party generally and have never given directives to share anything among groups, unlike instructions that treats SIA Group as a parastatal of Ogun State Government. The issues at stake do not affect Obadara or his Senatorial District alone.

“Ordinarily, we should not have responded. But it is important that we put the records straight as your letter is replete with so many deliberate misinformation. Your accounts of events that took place in broad daylight at both the APC state secretariat and that of Wasimi amazed and amused us. So, the journalists who were attacked do not know the Ogun NURTW topshot who led the thugs?”.

They further challenged him to provide proof of his claims, saying, “You should provide proof that we are either orchestrating violence or planning one, according to your so-called security reports. We are not bothered by your threat to deal with those opposed to you in the party using government apparatus. We know we are not trouble makers. But we have resolved, and firmly too that, should any harm befall us, family or supporters, we shall hold you personally responsible. Your threat after your meeting on Monday 20th January that by the time one of them (NASS member) is gunned down, others will run for cover has got to us.

“Henceforth, all security agencies are put on notice. No member of NASS from Ogun State is known to have a violent background. Ogun State people know those with a record of violence. Besides, APC members and the good people of Ogun State know those harassing them with thugs at every twist and turn. The fact is that no member of NASS is involved in these ungodly acts”, the letter read in parts.

Meanwhile, opposition parties in the State had also called for the impeachment of the Governor due to the recent insecurity that pervaded the State recently.

The ugly events which some political observers in the state opined could spell doom for the party in the coming general elections calls for serious and robust dialogue among the stakeholders of the broom party if they hope of retaining power in the Gateway State come 2015, said an insider.