Former Ogun State governor Olusegun Osoba has refuted claims of wielding godfather influence over Governor Dapo Abiodun, attributing their harmonious relationship to mutual respect and a policy of non-interference in governance.
In a Sunday interview, the All Progressives Congress stalwart emphasized that he has maintained a hands-off approach to the current administration, never lobbying for appointments or seeking to influence executive decisions.
“The harmony exists because I have refused to interfere with his government in any way. I have never suggested to him that anyone should be placed in a particular office. I have never pressured him to favour anybody for any position,” Osoba stated.
He explained that both leaders understand their distinct roles, with each respecting the other’s position and authority.
“His leadership and confidence are built on mutual respect. I respect him as the chief executive of the state, and he reciprocates that respect. That is the foundation of our harmony,” he added.
Osoba clarified that the Abiodun administration operates independently, guided by its own mandate rather than external direction.
Reflecting on Ogun State’s 50th anniversary, the 87-year-old statesman expressed gratitude for witnessing the milestone and praised the transformation across the state.
“I feel highly excited and grateful to God that I am alive to see our state at 50. Abeokuta has grown from a city you could drive around in an hour to a large metropolis. The same applies to Sagamu and Ijebu. This level of development in my lifetime is remarkable,” he said.
On progressive politics, Osoba noted its deep roots in Yoruba political culture and expressed hope that current policies would deliver tangible benefits to ordinary citizens.
“My hope is that the benefits of current policies will increasingly reach the grassroots. When I was governor, my focus was rural development—roads, electrification, water supply. That tradition continues in progressive governance today,” he said.
Looking ahead, Osoba urged politicians to embrace contentment and maintain civic responsibility while practicing decent, non-bitter politics.
“Politicians should learn to be content. Even at 87, I pay my taxes regularly to Ogun State—an average of N30 million in self-assessed tax. We want development, so let us be alive to our civic responsibility and play politics decently,” he advised.
He added that political flexibility should not compromise core values, noting that members move between parties but progressive principles remain constant.
“There are people who were in PDP now in APC, and vice versa. No problem. My policy is to be friendly with everybody without changing my philosophy or belief in progressive politics,” Osoba concluded.
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