In a build-up to the General election in 2023, there seems to be a cold war in Ogun State as Governor Dapo Abiodun is doing everything possible to ensure he returns to the Oke-Mosan office for a second term despite all odds against him. It’s not new that Governor Dapo Abiodun is currently battling immediate past Governor now Senator of Ogun Central; Senator Ibikunlke Amosun over the structure of the party in the state.
Due to some reasons, he escaped by a thin line as his preferred candidate Chief Yemi Sanusi clinched the post of the All progressive Congress APC Chairmanship seat in the state after a parallel election was done by the Ibikunle Amosun led faction of the party. Governor Dapo Abiodun is currently fighting tooth and nail to ensure he controls the soul party at the state level and also fix his men in key positions within the state to enable him to cruise home to victory in the next election.
Currently, He is also fighting an internal battle as his close ally and former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has also declared his intention to run for Senate to represent the good people of Ogun East at the hallowed Red Chambers. With the current permutation, Dapo Abiodun who is from Remo part of the state is not comfortable with Gbenga Daniel’s intention to contest as Senator of the senatorial district under his party. OGD is from Sagamu while Governor Dapo is from Iperu-Remo. For fairness and equality, both positions cannot be held by people from the same senatorial district. Governor Dapo prefers the candidate should be Ijebu which has always been a reoccurring decimal within the senatorial district. “Remo and Ijebu is a known stronghold for PDP. So allowing Daniel a Remo man from Sagamu to contest might jeopardize his chances of re-election if the PDP fields an Ijebu candidate. Dapo Abiodun is at a crossroads and he is ready to battle anyone who wants to disrupt his re-election bid. He has openly disowned Daniel’s ambition but a determined OGD has dared him and moved n with consultation in a bid to contest the seat in 2023.” a close source disclosed.
One of his biggest rivals and fellow kingsmen from Iperu Remo is Hon. Ladi Adebutu is also getting set to contest in the pool under the opposition People’s Democratic Party PDP. From the situation of things, Ladi’s permutation is swinging to the people of Ogun West and Ogun Central where a high block of votes that usually wins election for any governor in the states comes from. As we speak, Governor Dapo Abiodun and Hon. Ladi Adebutu no longer see eye to eye. It was disclosed that; The Olota of Ota Awori Professor Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege is also in the midst of the controversial fight between Ladi Adebutu and Governor Dapo Abiodun as Olota of Otta conferred on Hon. Ladi with a chieftaincy title as Lisa Aje of Ota Awori kingdom. This development we gathered did not go down well with Governor Dapo who alleged that Olota is romancing Ladi Adebutu and the PDP. In a bid to cut Olota’s influence, we gathered that he placed Oba of Ado-Odo Ota over Olota who is the paramount ruler of the kingdom. “Governor Dapo Abiodun is not joking. He has placed Oba Ado Odo Ota over Olota in a bid to exercise his power as Governor. His overbearing influence on the traditional institution in Ogun State is too much. He is not giving the rulers breathing space. For a very long time, he was also not in good terms with the Alake of Egba land over issues related to politics. He believes no king should welcome the opposition. He has forgotten that the traditional institution welcomes all sundry regards their political affiliation. A king will embrace everybody that’s why they are apolitical and natural in issues of politics. Olota is not a politician, fighting him for conferring titles to any worthy individual because of his political ambition is wrong. The same happened to Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, the traditional ruler of Iselu Kingdom when he conferred on Senator Rochas Okorocha a chieftaincy title as Otunba Asoludero. After much controversy, he revoked it. It also has the handprint of Governor Dapo Abiodun who we gathered allegedly asked the traditional ruler to revoke the title. Recently, Governor Dapo signed a controversial Law changing the traditional way of burying kings. Because of his military-style of Governance, those who were supposed to speak against the law kept mute to avoid victimization.” A source disclosed.
CITYSPY gathered that Olota is in a serious dilemma as he is finding all possible means to make peace with the Governor. “Olota was given strong conditions that Ladi Adebutu must not be installed as the Lisa Aje of Ota by Olota and he must not attend any function organized by Olota. If such happens, he will forever remain in the black book of the Governor. To further dance to the tune of Mr. Governor, the Annual Aje Festival was canceled and shifted to a later date to enable resolving of the lingering crisis.” A close source disclosed.
Hon Ladi Adebutu will be celebrating his 60th birthday in a few weeks from now as he plans to celebrate it in Ijebu-ode, Abeokuta, Sagamu with week-long activities.
