In any democratic society, the power entrusted to an elected governor is meant to serve the people, not to threaten them, intimidate them, or suffocate political opponents. Unfortunately, what played out in Ijebu-Igbo this weekend reveals a disturbing pattern that has come to define the leadership style of Governor Dapo Abiodun: a consistent misuse of state power for personal battles, vendettas, and political settling of scores.
The sealing of the Omo-’ilu Foundation Complex in less than 24 hours to BATOGD Movement Empowerment is targeting two different political interests and not governance, but state-sponsored intimidation, executed with reckless disregard for the people of Ogun East and with embarrassing pettiness unbecoming of someone occupying the highest office in the state.
Governor Abiodun’s actions were not only hostile to Senator Gbenga Daniel but also to the Kashamu family, even at a time when Hon. Rasheed Kashamu had just joined the APC.
What kind of leader clamps down on new entrants to his own party?
What kind of governor stifles empowerment programmes meant to uplift his citizens simply because they are organised by political figures he feels threatened by?
This is not a strength.
This is insecurity masquerading as authority.
It is no secret, and it is loudly whispered in political circles, that Governor Dapo Abiodun has never been genuinely loyal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite benefiting enormously from the APC structure built by Tinubu’s political architecture.
Time and again, Abiodun has distanced himself from Tinubu-aligned leaders in Ogun. He undermines their work, weakens their influence, and uses state machinery to frustrate them.
The events at Ijebu-Igbo only reinforce what many already believe:
Governor Abiodun is committed to no one but himself, and his loyalty ends where his personal ambitions begin.
The most disgraceful part of this weekend’s episode is the blatant disregard for the welfare of the people. Senator Daniel’s empowerment programme, which should ordinarily be celebrated, became a target simply because it did not originate from Oke-Mosan.
When a governor begins to use state agencies to block community development, sabotage empowerment programmes and victimise private citizens because of political affiliation, then democracy is under assault.
Ogun State deserves leadership, not pettiness. It deserves progress, not political hostility. It deserves a governor, not a feudal lord.
The people of Ogun East are not blind. They see the intimidation. They feel the suppression. And they understand clearly where the sabotage is coming from.
By sealing the Omo’ilu Foundation Complex, Governor Abiodun may think he is weakening Senator Daniel or the Kashamu bloc. But in reality, he is only weakening the trust of the people in his administration and, more importantly, he is strengthening the growing belief that he has become the most divisive and self-serving governor Ogun has seen in years.
The people of Ogun State are watching, history is watching, and 2027 is not far away. Governors come and go, but the will of the people remains undefeated.
The abuse of power displayed this weekend will not be forgotten.
It will not be swept aside and it will not be forgiven lightly.
Governor Dapo Abiodun must be reminded that Ogun State is not his personal empire. It is a democratic institution and the people will ultimately pass judgment.
Ayo Mojoyin, a principal partner at Thecitypulsenews, writes.
