By Olaniyi Ajibola
The capacity of a politician to effectively mobilise people and resources to achieve a certain political goal stands him out in any political setting. This does not come in a vacuum, it is indeed a product of deep knowledge of political sociology, critical thinking as well as pedigree.
Of course, while few Nigerians may have not heard much about Governor Dapo Abiodun before 2019, especially those who are not too politically conscious, his move and deeds in the last seven years as the Governor of Ogun State and a notable political figure in Nigeria, within the fold of the progressive party have made him a cynosure of all eyes.
It is an undisputable fact that it takes a high degree of smartness, courage and being excellently calculative to make wave in the political terrain of Ogun State, considering the strength of character of political players and their sophistication. It is , therefore, noteworthy that a man as quiet and urbane as Prince Dapo Abiodun could make such political impacts within a short period of time and still pushing with so much energy and influence.
The trajectory of his political journey since the aborted third republic in the early 1990s till the dawn of the fourth republic in 1999 is truly examplary and instructive, teaching the necessary virtues of consistency, perseverance and clarity of purpose, and worthy of emulation by inspiring public office holders .
Perhaps, the innate acumen to aggregate interests and mobilise the people in every political struggle gives a special identity to Prince Dapo Abiodun and affords him the political strength to weather many political storms and came out undeterred and unhurt with significant success.
Meanwhile, despite his enviable achievements as a Governor of a leading state in Nigeria and a prominent personality in the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun continues to advance with precision and step up his capacity for mobilization locally and at the national level, making him one of the most sought after politicians in Nigeria.
The recent event where the Governor welcomed former ward leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) from Ijebu North, Ijebu East, Ijebu North-East and Odogbolu Local Government Areas of Ogun East Senatorial District into the APC was the smartest move any leader could make in this current political season.
Without the common brigandage and act of suppression of the past against the opposition parties, Governor Dapo Abiodun, has strategically and tactically sent opposition parties into political oblivion in the state, and make the APC the only party of choice among the electorate.
Speaking at a meeting with the defectors in Abeokuta on Wednesday evening, Governor Abiodun, who described the APC as the party to beat in Ogun State, said he found it difficult to understand why people continued to remain in opposition parties despite their repeated electoral defeats.
“We don’t make noise, we don’t drink whisky or Hennessy; we work to ensure the continuous development of the state.
Those of you who are still with the Peoples Democratic Party, I find it difficult to understand why you are still there. In 2019, they lost; in 2023, they lost again. What are you still doing there?
“Even in Ijebu North, Ijebu East and Waterside, where you had the highest political office holder in the state in the National Assembly at that time, Hon. Adegbesan, who was a former member of the State Assembly, they still lost. So, what are you doing in the PDP? What does ADC have to offer you?” he asked.
These remarks of the Governor clearly reflect confidence and conviction, he spoke confidently about the consistent electoral success of his party and what his administration has been able to achieve in all sectors that continued to attract the people into the fold of the progressive party.
He then reiterated the commitment of his administration in prioritising the completion of projects abandoned by previous administrations, noting that such projects were funded with taxpayers’ money and should not be allowed to waste.
“This is the first government that has completed abandoned projects from previous administrations. Doing that is part of my vow because they were not embarked upon with anybody’s father’s money; they were funded with our taxes. So, we have to finish them.
“Even though we were not the ones that started the hospital and the Buhari Estate, we finished them. Somebody may build a hospital like he is building a house, but a building is not a house. You can build a building and it might not be a home. You can build four walls without a roof on it. It is when it is properly completed that you can finally start to receive the praise you deserve”.
This is the type of commitment and display of responsiveness that continued to make Prince Dapo Abiodun popular among the electorate in Ogun State, he has been very intentional in his social contract agreement with the people and never for once reneges on his promise to right the wrong of the past without noise and acrimony.
As a responsible leader, Prince Dapo Abiodun, believes he has inherited both the assets and liabilities left behind by the previous administrations in the state and determines to change the ugly trend of the past till his last day in the office as Governor.
As a great mobilizer he has become in the Nigeria’s political landscape, Governor Dapo Abiodun remains the golden fish that cannot hide anywhere in the ocean, as another national assignment came calling when President Bola Tinubu appointed him as the Director of Fundraising for the APC’s presidential campaign for 2027.
This appointment further confirms President Tinubu’s capacity for talent hunting. Sincerely, the Governor is a juggernaut in human and resources mobilization, his speed and accuracy of action is top notch and his team spirit speaks volume of his leadership skill.
Obviously, President Tinubu must have been very impressed with the success of the APC’s National Convention, where Governor Dapo Abiodun held sway as the Chairman of Venue & Accommodation sub-committe, as he brought his social exposure and classical taste to bear in all the arrangements.
He is now saddled with the responsibility of coordinating all efforts to mobilise financial resources and support toward making the APC presidential campaign of 2027 a huge success. There is no doubt that the Governor is more than capable to deliver beyond expectations in this regard.
In the words of American Researcher and Virologist, Jonas Salk, ” The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more”. This is without doubt the case of the Ogun State helmsman, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON.
May God almighty continue to grant your Excellency the requisite good health and sound mind to serve your country and the people the more in different capacities ahead. Congratulations, sir.
Ajibola is a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Strategic Communications.
