By Olaniyi Ajibola
There is no doubt that Ogun State remains a leading light in the Nigeria’s political space, having produced.eminent political leaders of indelible impacts, who have profoundly shaped the trajectory of Nigeria’s nationhood since 1960.
One can safely conclude that while Ibadan is being regarded as the primordial political headquarters of the South West, Ogun State leads in political consciousness in the zone, making it an essential arena for political mobilization and conscientization.
It is not a coincidence that the greatest political assertion of the fourth republic, ‘Emilokan’ was made in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the build up to the 2023 general elections, as a response to perceived gang up against his ambition.
President Tinubu also returned to Abeokuta after the historic presidential primary election to give a memorable assurance of victory to Nigerians in the face of the satanic policy of change of currency and the scarcity of petroleum products by the ‘cabals’ in the presidency, who were hell-bent in preventing him from becoming Nigeria’s President .
Against this backdrop, political pundits have reasoned that Ogun State is strategically significant for the political mobilization of the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, in the same way it was done in 2023.
Indeed, the leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, is leaving no stone unturned to sustain the political tempo of massive mobilization for the President’s re-election, starting early with utmost alacrity.
The Governor has what it takes to champion the struggle, aside being eloquent and cerebral, his position as the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum gives him the requisite leverage to lead mobilization for the President’s re-election in the state and on the national stage.
Speaking on Friday at a strategic meeting of the APC held at the Presidential Lodge, Ibara, Abeokuta, the Governor confidently pledged that the state will deliver 95 per cent of its votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Governor Abiodun explicitly asserted that President Tinubu deserves a second term in office in recognition and acknowledgement of the far-reaching and courageous economic reforms initiated by his administration.
The governor noted that the reforms introduced by President Tinubu have helped to reposition the nation’s economy and lay a solid foundation for sustainable growth and development.
The political maturity and sagacity of the members of the governing party in the state was also lauded by the Governo for conducting peaceful and crisis-free primary elections, saying the state had distinguished itself from others through the orderly and transparent process.
“Our primary election was inclusive, transparent, and fair. This was made possible by the commitment and mutual trust among our leaders. Such a process has never happened in the history of our state.
“We sat down, discussed, and chose our candidates without rancour. It underscores the exemplary political maturity that exists in Ogun State. Though many people contested, only one person could emerge. Those who aspired, contested, and later stepped down in the interest of party unity are the unsung heroes of this process,” he said.
Another salient issue of interest the Governor spoke about and which showcases Ogun State as truly the epicenter of political consciousness in Nigeria is the landmark process that broke the age-long jinx of inequality and which produced Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as the gubernatorial hopeful of the party in the state.
To sustain this renewed model of equality and fairness in the state, therefore, the Governor painstakingly explained the ongoing process of choosing a running mate for the party’s gubernatorial candidate, announcing that
the party had unanimously zoned the position of deputy governor to Ogun East Senatorial District, specifically the Ijebu axis, considering that the governorship candidate is from Ogun West Senatorial District.
He said,” We recognise the need to commence political activities in earnest, and only one key position remains to be filled—the office of the Deputy Governor. We therefore consulted widely with party leaders and agreed that the position should go to Ogun East.
“Since I have emerged as the senatorial candidate for Ogun East and I am from Remoland, it was decided that the Ijebu people should produce the Deputy Governor.
“We have also substantially agreed on the area within Ijebuland from which the candidate should emerge, and that is the Ijebu-Ode Federal Constituency. That was one of the major reasons for today’s meeting”.
Obviously, a great leader balances power with responsibility, prioritize long-term progress over personal ego, and actively foster empathy , grace and wisdom in public life as Prince Dapo Abiodun has done in the state.
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr,” A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus, but a molder of consensus”.
Sincerely, Ogun State is truly leading by example in Nigeria as a state of enviable political maturity and sagacity, it’s impacts in the forthcoming general elections in 2027 will remain immeasurable as the people of the state re-echo the popular political slogan of President Tinubu” E Lo Fokan Bale”.
Ajibola is a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Strategic Communications
