The recent video of Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State showing him receiving prostrating apology from local government chairmen has sparked controversy.
Recall that one of the local government chairmen, Wale Adedayo from Ijebu East Local Government, alleged in a letter to a former governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Olusegun Osoba, that Abiodun consistently denied them the allocations meant for them.
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Following this Adedayo’s allegation and more against the governor, other chairmen were seen in the viral video apologising to the governor prostrating while singing and appealing for his forgiveness as their father.
In his reaction, a notable politician in the state, Otunba Segun Showunmi, stated that though the mode of apology itself is culturally acceptable in Yoruba culture, the manner in which Governor Abiodun responded raised concerns about his understanding of the importance of Local Government and the issue of local government funds.
This incident has led to calls for a government investigation and has even prompted suggestions that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should intervene.
In his post titled, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Frog-Jump Gov Dapo Abiodun, Otunba Showunmi informed the president to frog-jump the governor for debasing the arm of government.
“The trending video showing Local Government chairmen prostrating to greet the Governor of Ogun State is not offending because they greeted in a way that is culturally correct according to the Yoruba culture, it is offending because of the Emperor postures Gov Dapo Abiodun who does not seem to get that any governor worth the title ought to know that tier of government, Local Government cannot be so treated especially when the issue might be related to Wale Adedayo’s Open Letter on local government funds.
“Who debased the government by recording such, and who irresponsibly released such?
“Who approved without vetting to notice that the irritation of the governor was on full display and has far-reaching image change not just for the shameless governor but for all of us.
“Mr. President, please demand a full investigation. You must use your office to encourage appropriate conduct, recall that I reported this same Governor Dapo Abiodun to you when his thugs attacked me.
“If a governor can treat local government chairmen in such a manner, it follows that as president you should subject him to frog jump, so they get the argument on independence. Thank you sir,” he wrote.
A social media commentator also added, “It is amazing how people in leadership position, forget how transient power is. When I saw LG Chair persons prostrating for Dapo Abiodun, I remembered Emefiele, and how Nigerians begged him with tears in their eyes, but the emperor in him took a hearing sabbatical, and the cry of the people fell on stony ears. Someone should remind the Governor of Ogun State, that one day, he will come prostrating but the people may not accept it, after all, the yorubas have a saying “idobale kii se iwa”- feigning obeisance does not necessarily translate to being of good character. Na here we go dey.”
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Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
