Dapo Abiodun Runs a Self-Serving Government, Should Not Be Reelected – GGP
A few days ago, there were reports that Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State was trying to clothe some thugs and garage louts in the uniform of the Nigerian military and that of other security agencies. Although the Governor’s media handlers immediately denied this, and instead tried to blame the Opposition party as the sponsor of the reports.
“Never believe anything in politics until it is officially denied”. The quick and urgent denial is sufficient enough to give some credence to the allegations. There are also many historical and current facts, as well as operational evidence. We have credible evidence that Prince Dapo Abiodun is the unofficial chairman of all the transporters’ unions in Ogun State. Not as a patron, but as one of those who share in the proceeds of money collected from commuters through transporters and their unions. Up until a few months ago, Prince Dapo Abiodun allegedly received N44m from the Transport unions every week.
As the election approached, this weekly take was increased to N52m. The governor’s share is being paid into a Paras Energy and Natural Resources Development account in one of the new-generation banks. On the company’s profile, there are several phony names listed as directors, such as Manhattan Mgt Company Limited, Bashiru Bangbola, Baghla Sohan, etc. A check on Manhattan Mgt Company Limited also revealed the names of the directors, the same as the owners of Paras Energy And Natural Resources Development.
This was the beginning of the politicization of the Transport workers’ unions in Ogun State. As a matter of fact, Ogun State sits on a cylinder of carbides as far as union matters are concerned; so much distrust has been planted and it will take no time, except when a new leader gets in the saddle in the state who can sanitize and stabilize the relationship among the various unions, and their officers. Prince Dapo Abiodun has sown the seed of much hatred and animosity among these officials that their operations might need tinkering. Governor Abiodun has infiltrated the ranks of the real transporters replacing them with overlords’ political transporters union leaders. These political transporters union leaders have become so oppressive and dictatorial over original transporters and their union leaders.
The exploitation of innocent commuters starts at the top of the government. The increment in the cost of transportation in Ogun State was a result of the exploitative targets that Governor Abiodun placed on the various unions. Those who also collect weekly returns from the unions in Dapo Abiodun’s government include, Samson Tunji Egbetokun, Biyi Adeleye, Afolabi Afuape, Salisu Shuaibu, Tunji Akinosi. Their individual weekly returns range from N5m to N10m. This accounts for the proliferation of various unions in Ogun State.
Because they wine and dine with the Governor, these political union leaders are more powerful than even the Local Government chairmen and any other political leaders and functionaries in Ogun State.
They call the shots and others must follow. The fear of the transport workers union (ACOMORAN, AMORAN, RTEAN, Tricycle riders unions, etc) chairmen is the beginning of wisdom for Local Government chairmen because they sit at the royal table with the Governor.
Likes attract likes. There has never been any government in the history of Ogun State which attracts people to itself more than the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration. In the close circuit of scammers, the Ogun State Governor is being derisively referred to as “Agba Picker” which speaks to his collaborative relationship with the notorious underworld of crime. Bidemi Rufai is an excellent case study.
Our verdict
A government is supposed to be on the side of the people. Those who govern or seek to govern must have empathy for the people they claim to serve. For collecting tax through political transporters’ “Ajele” unions, Governor Dapo Abiodun has put the financial and economic lives of the people of Ogun State at risk and put them under serious strain.
A wicked self-serving economic policy such as “Agba l’owo Meeri, Baale Jontolo” also amounts to CORRUPTION.
A corrupt leader who has less care for the economic well-being of their citizens should not be in the office a day longer. So, Prince Dapo Abiodun should be voted out.
Johnson Shodunke,
Director of the Organization
Good Governance Project
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple's Bite International Magazine.