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EX OGUN GOVERNOR, IBIKUNLE AMOSUN’S SHAME

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OLA KING

Perhaps, if the former governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, had been more circumspect and cautious, he would have heeded the advice of several chieftains of the All Progressives Party, APC, and even backed
the candidate chosen by the party, Dapo Abiodun, before the last March 9 governorship election.

He, however, shunned the wise counsel. His actions and inactions betrayed one who seemed to have a pathological hatred for Abiodun. He was even blinded by his arrogance.

At the last year Eid el Kabir prayer ground the trained accountant boasted with all he has that he would bring his anointed candidate,
Abdulkabir Adekule Akinlade to the 2019 Eid El Kabir prayer, who would have succeeded him. In fact, he vowed that nothing would stop him from achieving his desire. But his prayer was not answered and his effort fruitless.

At the Eid el Kabir prayer last month, August, he only came with Lekan Adegbite to the Lantoro, Abeokuta prayers ground.

The Owu, Ogun State- born politician, who does not have any shame or scruple wearing his flamboyant garb of arrogance, is ruing his action, as his preferred candidate, Akinlade of Allied Progressives Movement, was defeated by Abiodun.

It will be recalled that shortly after Abiodun won the APC primary, he threatened fire and brimstone, saying that Abiodun would never succeed him.

In his desperate bid to upturn the mandate given to Abiodun, he visited President Muhamadu Buhari and top monarchs in the state on several occasions, all to no avail.

Many have not forgotten how he usually boasted that the President would grant his wish; otherwise, he would dump APC for Accord Party.

Amosun had reportedly issued this threat during a meeting with some
party leaders and his loyalists across the 20 local government areas of the state held at his private residence located inside Ibara GRA,Abeokuta, where he lambasted some of the party leadership, including a former governor of the state, Olusegun Osoba and Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu for attempting to ‘disgrace’ him.

In one of his visits to Aso Rock, he got the shock of his life when the President reportedly told him point blank that he would not want to go
against the NWC decision.

In fact, Amosun’s stubbornness really unsettled the leaders of the party, who had mounted pressure on him to place the interest of the
party above his personal interest.

This created a lot of crisis among the leaders, particularly after President Muhammad Buhari was embarrassed during his presidentialcampaign in Abeokuta.

Despite being tongue-lashed by the APC, the governor remained unperturbed, even after being suspended from the party for anti-party
activities.

He was said to have also berated those he termed “Abuja connection APC” for standing the rules of the primary election on its head to
produce Abiodun as the party’s candidate instead of Akinlade, who emerged through a direct primary.

Till date, many wonder why Amosun had settled for a Akinlade, in spite of the fact that Ogun State parades a line-up of sterling technocrats and politicians with time-tested, brilliant records of public service.

His choice of candidate however made many to conclude that he probably has some
skeletons in his cupboard that he needed a character like Akinlade to cover.

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LG Elections: Senator Yayi Criticises Governor Abiodun Over Alleged Imposition of Candidates

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Senator Adeola Olamilekan, popularly known as Senator Yayi, representing Ogun West Senatorial District, expressed strong concerns over the upcoming local government elections in Ogun State. His remarks followed the heated discussion on the Benue LGA elections, which Senator Abba Moro described as a “sham” on the Senate Order Paper. Yayi drew parallels between the situation in Benue and what he termed “undemocratic practices” in Ogun State.
Speaking on the matter, Senator Yayi highlighted the increasing interference by state governors in local government elections, specifically pointing fingers at Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for allegedly handpicking candidates for the upcoming local government polls without conducting proper primaries. According to Yayi, all candidates vying for the 20 chairmanship positions and 236 ward councillor seats in Ogun State’s LGAs were selected based on their loyalty to the governor rather than their competence or popular support.
The senator further alleged that the chosen candidates, all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), were required to swear an oath of loyalty to Governor Abiodun and the candidates reportedly submitted letters of resignation, effectively surrendering their positions even before assuming office, ensuring that they would remain under the governor’s control, all these alleged to have happened at Mitros Hall, located opposite the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta.
Senator Yayi expressed his frustration over the exclusion of party members who maintained ties with other influential political figures in the state, including former governors and himself. “This imposition of candidates and deliberate sidelining of legitimate party members is not only undemocratic but also dangerous for the future of local governance,” Yayi remarked, emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
Governor Dapo Abiodun is not the first Ogun State leader to face accusations of manipulating local government elections. Former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, had similarly been criticized during his tenure for allegedly imposing candidates in local elections, sparking tensions within the state’s APC structure. Other governors in Nigeria, such as Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue and Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna, have also faced similar accusations, raising concerns about the broader issue of state interference in grassroots democracy across the country.
One of the key issues raised by Senator Yayi, and echoed by several other senators during the debate, is the negative impact of not granting local governments full autonomy. Local government autonomy is seen as a vital aspect of democracy, ensuring that grassroots governance is effective, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people. However, the current practice in most states, where governors exercise disproportionate control over local government elections, undermines this principle.
Critics argue that when state governments handpick local government candidates, it leads to a breakdown in democratic processes at the grassroots level. Local government officials, often mere extensions of the governor’s political machinery, become unresponsive to the electorate’s needs. This top-down control stifles innovation, hampers development projects, and creates an environment where local government executives are more loyal to the state governor than the people they were elected to serve.
Senator Yayi stressed that the situation in Ogun State is emblematic of a larger national problem. “If we continue to allow state governments to hijack the local government electoral process, we are undermining democracy itself,” he warned. “Local governments must be allowed to function independently, free from the political manoeuvrings of state governors.”
As Ogun State prepares for its local government elections, the growing dissatisfaction among stakeholders like Senator Yayi raises important questions about the legitimacy of the process. The allegations of candidate imposition and demands for oaths of loyalty represent a significant challenge to democratic norms, and they highlight the urgent need for reform in the relationship between state and local governments in Nigeria.
With tensions rising within Ogun’s APC structure and the local government elections looming, all eyes will be on Governor Dapo Abiodun to see whether the elections will reflect the true will of the people or remain another example of state-level control over grassroots governance.


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APC chieftain Akinterinwa felicitates Adejoke Orelope Adefulure on 65th birthday

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Wale Akinterinwa, has extended his warm congratulations to the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, on her 65th birthday anniversary.

In a statement on Sunday, Akinterinwa described Orelope-Adefulire, the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State as an iconic woman whose remarkable leadership traits continue to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians and humanity.

Akinterinwa maintained that Orelope-Adefulire has displayed exemplary leadership and compassion both in her private and official capacities.

He praised her for her ‘unforgettable’ contributions to the growth and development of Ile-Oluji community in Ondo state.

The statement reads, “On behalf of myself, my family and the good people of Ile-Oluji, I celebrate an iconic woman, the Special Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.


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Senator Gbenga Daniel Congratulates Edo Governor-Elect Monday Okpebholo

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Otunba Gbenga Daniel, representing Ogun East senatorial district and former governor of Ogun State has extended his congratulations to Senator Monday Okpebholo following his victory in the Edo State Governorship election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In a message on behalf of the people of Ogun East Senatorial District, Senator Daniel commended Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their success in the polls.
Daniel highlighted Okpebholo’s previous role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, where he earned a reputation as a standout leader. He praised Okpebholo for his contributions to the committee, noting his leadership and strong relationships with fellow members.
“Your campaign efforts in towns and villages, combined with your humility and respectful engagement with voters across party lines, have paid off,” Daniel said. He described Okpebholo as a “deep thinker” and “highly responsible strategist,” adding that his election marks a victory for Edo State.
In his closing remark, Otunba Gbenga Daniel concluded by offering his best wishes to Okpebholo as he embarks on his new role as Governor of Edo State, assuring him of his highest regards.
The congratulatory message underscores the unity within the APC and the shared optimism for the newly elected governor’s administration in Edo State.


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