Kunle Aderibigbe, Abeokuta
The ugly incident which occurred few weeks back at a ceremony attended by the Governor of Gateway State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and former governorship hopeful in the state, Hon Ladi Adebutu has degenerated into a new dimension as their loyalists resorting to confrontations, name-callings and hurling of missiles on social media.
Gateway Times had gathered that Prince Abiodun who arrived at the said event a little bit late with retinue of aides was reported to have approached where other dignitaries among whom were Ladi Adebutu perhaps to exchange pleasantries with them.
Information has it that rather than stood up to also welcome the Governor, Adebutu was said to have sat down from where he stretched his hand to exchange courtesies with Abiodun. A development, close watchers of the unfolding event saw as uncomplimentary and an affront on the office of the Governor.
The duo of Mr Governor and Adebutu have been locked up in bitter political rivalry since many years back. Though, both hailed from Iperu in Ogun East senatorial district of the state, sources described the present relationship which existed between them as an unholy marriage.
However, while supporters of the Governor were calling for Adebutu’s head over the encounter, calling him all sort of uncomplimentary names, and a backlash of the Adebutu’s failed governorship bid in the state, those loyal to the latter saw no big deal in the encounter.
To them, those raising dust over the situation were economical with the truth, as Adebutu on the said date extended courtesies to virtually all the known faces at the place.
A section of the students’ body in the state under the aegis of the National Association of Ogun state Students, NAOSS said the attitude of Adebutu was an attempt to ridicule the Governor and his office, insisting that the act portended danger to the nation’s nascent democracy.
“The picture which angered us as indigenous students showed that Ladi bowed to greet former Governor Fayose while he sat down, looked away and proudly stretched his hand to the incumbent Governor of Ogun state”, the statement signed by Ogunrombi Gbemileke added.
Meanwhile, a political activist, Comrade Dejo Adebanjo who spoke with one of our correspondents said the issue may not be unconnected with the last general election. He however called on Adebutu to accept the decision of the people of the state to elect Abiodun as their next Governor in the interest of peace and unity.
