In what many now describe as a rare moment of candor wrapped in humour, Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, subtly fired a political salvo at Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, during the commissioning of the newly completed Diagnostic and Trauma Centre at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, a facility generously donated by elder statesman and industrialist, Alhaji Adebola Adegunwa, as part of his 80th birthday legacy.

As dignitaries and top government functionaries were being conducted around the state-of-the-art facility, the Vice President, in an off-the-cuff remark, turned to former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD), and quipped, “You are from Sagamu, this your Governor is not being fair to you.”

The statement, delivered with a smile, sparked laughter among those present — including Governor Abiodun himself. However, beyond the laughter, many keen observers quickly read between the lines, suggesting the Vice President’s remark was a pointed reference to Governor Abiodun’s often-criticised handling of public protocol at state events — particularly where former governors are present.

It has become something of a pattern, sources say, that Governor Abiodun routinely gives precedence to his political appointees and aides during official recognitions, while placing key figures like former Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun — both of whom played pivotal roles in his rise to power — much lower on the protocol ladder. This perceived slight, many believe, is why both former governors have conspicuously avoided state functions in recent years, only showing up when an event is either extremely significant or when the invitation is strictly private — such as the commissioning of the Adegunwa Trauma Centre.

For Otunba Gbenga Daniel, today’s event was deeply symbolic and emotional. In 2010, during his tenure as governor, he turned the sod and laid the foundation for a similar diagnostic and trauma centre at the same location. The Ogun State Road Management Agency (OGROMA), under his administration, had even constructed a bridge to enable access to the proposed site — a bridge that was commissioned the same day the foundation was laid. Regrettably, subsequent administrations abandoned the project.

It took the philanthropy and vision of Alhaji Adebola Adegunwa to bring the dream to life. As a gift to his hometown and the entire Sagamu axis, the new trauma centre is not only a medical infrastructure milestone but also a testament to the enduring spirit of private sector-driven development.

The commissioning ceremony was graced by a host of dignitaries, including top government officials, traditional rulers, and community leaders. VP Shettima, in his speech, lauded the contribution of Alhaji Adegunwa, calling him “a national treasure whose generosity and commitment to healthcare development must be celebrated.”

While the Vice President’s comments may have come across as a playful dig, the underlying message has reignited conversations about political respect, protocol, and the treatment of elder statesmen in Nigeria’s democratic space.

As the dust settles on today’s high-profile event, one thing remains clear: beneath the ribbon-cutting and well-meaning speeches lies a complex web of political relationships , some mended, others frayed, but all undeniably shaping the narrative of Ogun State’s evolving leadership story.