Dapo Abiodun Ijebu backlash deepens as political tension grows in Ogun East over alleged marginalisation and 2027 power concerns

…. Growing Discontent Across Ijebuland

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As political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections gradually intensify in Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun is increasingly facing growing resentment from sections of Ijebuland over what many stakeholders describe as political marginalisation, abandonment of strategic projects and alleged attempts to consolidate power beyond his tenure.

For many aggrieved voices within Ogun East, the concerns are no longer isolated complaints.

They have now merged into a broader political movement questioning the place of the Ijebu people in Ogun State’s power structure under the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

At the center of the anger is the belief that after occupying the governorship seat for eight years as a Remo man, Governor Abiodun may still proceed to contest for the Ogun East Senatorial seat immediately after leaving office in 2027,a move many Ijebus see as an attempt to further shut them out politically.

To many political stakeholders across Ijebuland, the question has become unavoidable.

What truly is the lot of the Ijebu people in Ogun State political calculations under Dapo Abiodun?

The speculation surrounding Governor Abiodun’s possible senatorial ambition has significantly heightened political tension within Ogun East.

Many Ijebus argue that allowing one political bloc within Ogun East to retain both the governorship for eight years and subsequently take over the senatorial seat would deepen internal imbalance within the region.

There is a growing feeling among political elites and youth groups that core Ijebu interests are steadily being sidelined while Remo political influence continues to expand within the state structure.

Several stakeholders insist that the Ogun East Senatorial seat historically represents the collective political aspiration of the broader Ijebu nation and should not become an automatic retirement destination for outgoing governors.

Among the issues fueling resentment against Governor Abiodun is the lingering controversy surrounding the loss of the Dangote Refinery project from Olokola in Ogun State to Lagos.

Though the refinery crisis began before the Abiodun administration, critics insist the current government has failed to politically and economically recover from what many describe as one of the biggest developmental losses in Ogun State history.

For many people in Ogun Waterside and the wider Ijebu axis, the refinery represented a once-in-a-generation economic opportunity capable of transforming the region into a major industrial hub.

The relocation of the project to Lagos remains a painful reminder of lost jobs, abandoned economic dreams and missed infrastructural expansion.

Governor Abiodun has consistently blamed the collapse of negotiations on the administration of former governor Ibikunle Amosun, maintaining that the refinery exit happened before he assumed office.

But for many angry voices in Ijebuland, the political damage remains tied to the current leadership.

Another major source of tension between Governor Abiodun and sections of Ijebuland is the controversy surrounding the succession process for the Awujale stool following the death of the revered monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

The Ogun State Government’s repeated interventions in the selection process, including suspensions and security-related actions, have generated outrage among many traditional stakeholders.

Particularly controversial were reports involving the arrest and invitation of some Ijebu chiefs and kingmakers by security agencies during the crisis.

Many Ijebu indigenes believe the handling of the revered stool has been politically insensitive and disrespectful to traditional institutions.

For a region where the Awujale institution commands enormous spiritual, cultural and political influence, the controversy has only widened distrust toward the government.

The controversy surrounding the Nigerian Naval Base project in Abigi has also become a major political issue in Ogun East.

Critics accuse Governor Abiodun’s administration of initially frustrating aspects of the project before eventually yielding to pressure.

Though the administration later approved land allocation for the facility, many stakeholders insist the handling of the project reinforced suspicions that strategic investments in Ijebuland do not receive enthusiastic government support.

Ironically, former governor and current senator Gbenga Daniel has continued to celebrate the naval base as one of the biggest developmental breakthroughs for Ogun East.

Sports development has also entered the political debate.

Many Ijebus remain unhappy that no major aspect of the recent Gateway Games was significantly hosted in Ijebu territory despite the historical relevance of the region to Ogun State sports development.

The condition of the Gateway Stadium in Ijebu-Ode has further strengthened complaints of neglect and abandonment.

Residents argue that while sporting infrastructure expanded in other areas, the once-famous stadium in Ijebu-Ode continues to deteriorate without meaningful government attention.

For critics of Governor Abiodun, the situation fits into a broader narrative that Ijebuland is being politically shortchanged.

Political observers believe the growing anger across Ijebuland could become a major issue ahead of the 2027 elections if not carefully managed.

The danger for Governor Abiodun and the ruling establishment is that the grievances are no longer centered on one issue alone.

The Dangote refinery loss, Awujale stool controversy, arrests of chiefs, Naval Base politics, sports infrastructure complaints and fears of senatorial domination have now merged into one wider political narrative.

The narrative is simple, that the Ijebu people believe they are steadily losing influence, opportunities and political relevance within Ogun State under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s era.

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Whether that perception is politically accurate or exaggerated may ultimately matter less than the reality that it is gaining traction across Ijebuland, as Ogun inches closer to 2027, that growing resentment may become impossible for the political establishment to ignore.