Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State is ‘desperately’ fighting to retain his seat till 2027 following Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s defeat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last Osun State poll, Daily Trust on Sunday reports.
When Governor Gboyega Oyetola lost the July 16 governorship election in Osun State, many analysts argued it was a wrong signal for many first-time governors in the country, especially in the South West.
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Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun’s name featured prominently as the ‘next’. Abiodun also came under intense attacks from members of the opposition parties who claimed that the PDP’s victory in Osun State was a signal of the impending loss of his second term.
The Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Oginni Olaposi, puts it succinctly, “…as a matter of urgency, Abiodun should start writing his hand over note as the ‘fall’ of an incumbent governor of APC is a bad omen for him.”
There are strong indications that Oyetola’s defeat actually gave Abiodun jitters. And development in the state, after the Osun election – intense political permutations, closing of ranks, realignment, last minute appointments, deluge of endorsements glaringly showed that Abiodun is fighting harder to retain his seat in next year’s election.
Last minute appointments, endorsement galore
Barely 24 hours after Oyetola officially lost the election, Abiodun swung into action and first met with all former LG elected and appointed officials who served under the last administration.
He also announced the appointment of Liaison Officers for the 20 local government areas of the state.
The appointment was seen as a way to pacify some aggrieved party members who might work against his second term re-election.
But the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, explained that the appointments were made in furtherance of the administration’s inclusive approach to governance.
The governor has also intensified meetings, and secured buy-ins of different groups – traditional, religious, youths, community development associations and artisans, in the last one month.
From Ogun Central, West and East senatorial districts, it was endorsement galore for Abiodun’s re-election bid.
Various groups of monarchs in the state have endorsed Abiodun for a re-election. From Egba to Yewa and Ijebuland, the traditional rulers took turns and said the governor deserved a second term in office.
On Tuesday, a group of monarchs, under the auspices of ‘Trusted Royal Fathers’ from Yewaland threw their weight behind the second term bid of Abiodun.
Last week, another set of traditional rulers under the aegis of the ‘Progressive Royal Fathers of Ogun Central,’ also endorsed the governor for another term.
The governor had also received Ijebu monarchs’ endorsement for a second term.
As part of further moves, the governor recently made a number of appointments including seven commissioners and many aides.
And for the first time, the governor reconstituted boards of all the tertiary institutions in the state. There were several agitations on the delay in board appointment in the past, especially with respect to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, which fell on the governor’s deaf ears. He also announced Dr Adeoye Odedeji as the polytechnic’s substantive rector. Odedeji was in acting capacity for more than two years.
On August 5, Abiodun toured offices at the State Secretariat, Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, and exchanged pleasantries with the civil servants. It is believed that civil servants’ support is key to winning an election.
The organized labour, in June, had declared an indefinite strike over the “pathetic plight” of workers in the state. However, the industrial action was suspended three days after following a Memorandum of Action signed with the government on the implementation of the workers’ demands.
… Meets pensioners after protest votes’ threat
For more than two years, pensioners sought Abiodun’s attention over the controversial N68billion unpaid gratuities and other entitlements, but to no avail.
In September 2021, the Chairman of the Local Government Pensioners Association of Nigeria (LOGPAN), Sikiru Ayilara, alongside his members, after a three-day fasting and prayers, stormed Abiodun’s office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, protesting their unpaid gratuities.
On the efforts made to get Abiodun’s attention, Ayilara said, “We have written 12 letters now. The 10th one was given to him at the arcade on Independence Day; he did not turn his attention.”
Last month, Ayilara-led LG pensioners’ body asked their children and relatives not to vote for Abiodun in next year’s election, accusing him of being insensitive to their plights.
“It appears we will have no other options than to persuade our children to work against his re-election in 2023,” he said.
However, on Tuesday, Abiodun finally met with the leadership of LOGPAN over the dispute.
Neglected border communities get attention
Roads in communities linking Lagos and Ogun State have been neglected before now. The deplorable state of the roads had left residents of various communities bordering Lagos in untold woes and hardship.
Navigating Ogun State from Yakoyo to Alagbole, Akute, Ajuwon, Lambe, Oke Aro, among others is not only tough for motorists but even the commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, who populate the axis.
However, earlier in the month, the State Executive Council approved the reconstruction of 32km Ijoko/Sango/Agbado road. The government said the 32km road included Alagbole, Akute-Agbado crossing.
The government however refuted the allegation that its newly approved road project was to seek the people’s votes for the second-term ambition of Governor Abiodun.
The state Commissioner Works and infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, said the construction of the road which connects Sango-Ijoko-Agbado-Akute-Alagbole and Yakoyo ends of Ojodu Berger of Lagos started in 2013 under Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s administration but the administration failed to complete it.
The governor personally visited the problematic Lagos – Abeokuta expressway, especially at Itori-Papalanto axis which had become impassable and left motorists to resort to one-way driving.
He gave the Federal Government two weeks’ ultimatum to fix it or take over the reconstruction. The ultimatum has since expired.
Commissioners asked to drop ‘Technocrats’ toga
Findings by our correspondent revealed that the governor had ordered his commissioners to return to the grassroots and begin strong mobilisation for his re-election.
The cabinet is populated by technocrats who are believed to lack touch with the grassroots. Many of them have reportedly been asked to drop the toga of technocrats and go to the grassroots for mobilisation.
Analysis of the newly confirmed commissioners-designate showed that they are largely grassroots politicians whom the governor believe could assist him in grassroots mobilisation.
They are: Taiwo Oludotun, Hamzat Ganiyu, Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, Ola Oresanya, Abayomi Hunye, Olufemi Ilori and Jamiu Odetogun.
Like Aregbesola, like Amosun
The crisis between Oyetola and his predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola, was one of the major factors that cost the governor a second term.
In Ogun State, Abiodun and his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun are equally locked in bitter rivalry. They were known allies until they turned political foes in the build up to 2019.
Amosun had backed Adekunle Akinlade who contested on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) against Abiodun who was the candidate of the APC. Amosun’s anointed candidate was, however, defeated by Abiodun with a margin of 19,517 votes.
The duo maintained their frosty relationship and polarized the ruling party in battle for the control of the party, and efforts made by both the national leadership of the party and some traditional rulers in the state failed to yield positive results.
Recently, Amosun openly declared that Abiodun was “rigged into office and he must be sent packing next year.”
“Clearly, you know my stand, and my stand is my stand. I am not supporting this administration that is there now. He (Abiodun) must be removed,” he said.
Akinlade who was Amosun’s anointed candidate in 2019 is now the running mate of the PDP’s Ladi Adebutu, ahead of next election.
Abiodun jittery? Far from it – Governor’s aide
The Consultant to the Governor on Media, Ifekayode Akinbode, denied that Abiodun is jittery.
“Jittery for what? Is Dapo Abiodun the only governor in the South West?” he asked.
Akinbode added: “I do not know whether we have done an opinion poll or research to have asked 7 million Ogun State people whether what happened in Osun will happen in Ogun State.
“So, nobody should play God. Prior to the Osun election, there was an Ekiti election that was won by the APC overwhelmingly and even PDP came third. Nobody said what happened in Ekiti will happen in Ogun.”
He also submitted that Abiodun won the last election without Amosun’s support, who was the incumbent governor in 2019. He added that Amosun’s support base has now dwindled with many of the former governor’s men pledging allegiance to the governor.
With former Governors Olusegun Osoba, in the Ogun Central; Gbenga Daniel in the East senatorial district and Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) in Ogun West, he said Abiodun is home and dry.
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