By Bilesanmi Abayomi
The political atmosphere in Kosofe Local Government Area has become increasingly charged following a verbal attack by Yusuf Garson, the official driver to the Executive Chairman, Hon. Moyosore Ogunlewe, on supporters of the lawmaker representing Kosofe Constituency 1, Hon. Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawon, popularly known as OKLA.
Garson’s remarks, directed at Seun “Oloye” Salami, a prominent supporter of Okanlawon’s speculated third-term ambition, have sparked fresh controversy within local political circles and exposed a widening rift between the camps of the council chairman and the state lawmaker.
In a leaked voice note currently circulating among APC stakeholders in the area, Garson dismissed Oloye’s relevance and questioned the credibility of those campaigning for Okanlawon’s reelection. He described Oloye as a “misplaced priority” and argued that while Okanlawon may be making efforts, those efforts, in his view, fall short.
Garson further criticised Okanlawon’s supporters by contrasting their roles with what he described as the sacrifices made by Chairman Ogunlewe’s team during previous election cycles. He claimed that while the chairman and his loyalists were actively involved in early-morning political operations and election-day logistics, key figures now advocating for Okanlawon were absent during critical moments.
The remarks became more contentious as Garson alluded to alleged behind-the-scenes electoral battles in areas such as Ifako, claiming personal involvement in late-night operations aimed at countering suspected rigging attempts. Emphasising his proximity to political decision-making, he warned that he was not an outsider but deeply embedded in the political process, suggesting he possessed insider knowledge of events surrounding past elections.
The outburst has drawn attention to the long-standing but largely unspoken rivalry between Hon. Moyosore Ogunlewe and Hon. Sanni Ganiyu Okanlawon. Although both leaders belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), their relationship has often been characterised by political observers as strained, with competing interests and parallel power structures within Kosofe.
While both principals have maintained silence on their differences, the public exchange involving their aides is widely seen as confirmation that tensions remain unresolved. Analysts believe the latest episode reflects an intensifying proxy battle ahead of the next election cycle.
The push for a third term for Okanlawon continues to divide opinion within Kosofe Constituency 1, with indications that loyalists of the council chairman are increasingly positioning themselves to resist the ambition, setting the stage for a potentially fierce internal contest within the APC.
Listen to the Voice Note