Ogun governor demands loyalty from candidates over LG election

Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun allegedly demands loyalty from aspiring APC candidates, warning that only those pledged to him can contest the local government elections.

As Ogun State gears up for the upcoming local government elections in November, Governor Dapo Abiodun has allegedly issued a strict directive to aspiring All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.

The governor has made it clear that only those who pledge loyalty to him will be permitted to contest in the elections.

Also read: Ogun State’s leadership crisis: The perils of political vendettas and missed opportunities

During a meeting with select party leaders last Sunday at the Presidential Lodge, now serving as his official residence, Governor Abiodun stressed the importance of allegiance.

According to a report on Sahara Reporters, he warned that any candidate not fully committed to him would face disqualification.

The governor’s demand comes in the face of increasing local government autonomy, adding a layer of complexity to the selection process.

Abiodun reportedly instructed party leaders to suspend local campaigning and to narrow down the candidate list, ensuring that only those loyal to him emerge victorious.

Abiodun’s stern approach has sparked concern among APC members and loyalists in Ogun State, who fear that his actions could undermine the party’s democratic principles and harm its interests.

They argue that the governor’s insistence on handpicking candidates threatens the true essence of democracy and local government autonomy.

In response to criticisms, Governor Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinkade, dismissed the allegations as mischievous.

He clarified that the state laws outline the procedures for determining candidate eligibility, which are not at the governor’s discretion.

Akinkade reiterated that primary elections, not the governor’s influence, would decide the candidates.

As the election draws nearer, the tension within the APC in Ogun State continues to rise.

Party members have called on committed leaders to oppose what they see as the governor’s undemocratic tendencies, warning that if left unchecked, these actions could undermine broader efforts to promote democratic values and local government autonomy in the state.

Governor Abiodun, however, remains resolute, stating that with his second term secure, he fears no consequences from his actions.

As the election date approaches, the debate over the governor’s demands for loyalty is likely to intensify, with implications for both the APC and Ogun State’s political landscape.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.