Politics
Ogun 2023: The Gathering Storm
By Tayo Oyekanmi
The political activities increased exponentially in Ogun State in the last two/three weeks. This is not unconnected to the teaming up of TripleA with Ladi Adebutu, the Governorship candidate of PDP. This combination has sent enough shivers to the spine of the power that be in the State particularly that of Governor Dapo Abiodun camp. The reaction has been more of overdrive and panicky.
The Governor who in the last 3 years has actually built a pattern of lackluster work rate and schedule where public institutions, roads are getting bad just as bad boys reigns of terror is gaining traction. Suddenly the Governor has become active. Very active.
Penultimate weekend of the month of July, the Governor visited the long abandoned Itori/Ewekoro/Papa road stretch. This is one road that has been crying for attention since the Governor came on board. He was also at Ilaro/Owode road where construction has been witnessing snail-speed work rate with Governor promising to deliver and commission the road on 3 different dates in the past. The Governor was also at Sango/Ota axis though the reception and reaction of the people there was anything but good. The Governor also extended his visitation to Ijoko/Akute axis making serious pronouncements on each of his spot stops. Barely a week after, hardcore stone and other palliative measures are being deplored to the various notorious spots to make the roads slightly motorable. This is highly commendable. But the question on the lips of many is why the sudden interest and responsiveness? Why did the Governor not make use of the money being used before now? Is it that the Governor doesn’t care or not aware? Or was the money being kept for electioneering period for the purpose of vote buying? Only the Governor and members of his inner team knows the answer.
But those reading the political atmosphere of the State believe the Governor’s intervention and sudden interest is purely political. That the fear of LADO/TripleA combination is potent enough to scare anyone. Couple with what happened in Osun State where a sitting Governor was given the marching order electorally by the people. The fear of LADO/TripleA is penetrating without border. The online entertainers of the Governor have been caught off guard too. There has been serious lamentations and personal attacks on LADO and TripleA to express their frustration and helplessness. The same people whose trademark is all about abusing Amosun and describing TripleA as inconsequential to affect Dapo Abiodun’s second term changed gear on Monday evening. They were on political hysteria commending Amosun for purportedly distancing himself from Triple A political move. Are they expecting Amosun to really say otherwise? These are confused lots living on political fantasy and borrowed time. In the days ahead, the tendency of going back to their old ways of abusing Amosun is definitely assured.
In all of these, the reality on ground is that the combination of LADO/TripleA is giving them serious goosebumps. Take a survey across the state, conduct opinion pool or engage in interaction with unattached populace. The general perception is that LADO/TripleA is a potent dosage capable of terminating the second term aspiration of the Governor. Hence major stakeholders are going in drove to join hands with LADO/TripleA momentum. The latest being a fraction formerly loyal to Chief Olusegun Osoba. The movement is now on autopilot because God is listening to the yarnings and suffering of Ogun people. Only Him can obstruct this movement. No man can. But God won’t because He is a just God. People are beginning to see God at work through the combination of LADO and Triple A. The combination is a viable alternative to the lackluster performance of the last 3 years plus. Pensioners are speaking out with resolve to vote against the Government of the day because of viable alternative on the radar. The labour force are whispering in hush tone because of the sensitivity and nature of their jobs just as the generality of the people are aligning their hope with the new reality on the horizon. The Governor is receiving daily security reports and political updates about all these. Hence the resort to temporary palliative interventions and serious political patronage and appointments.
The house of Ogun APC is desolate under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s watch. The Governor has actually abdicated his responsibility in the last 3 years plus when no viable opposition is putting him to task. He used the first year in visiting religion center to celebrate his pyrrhic victory. The people are now waiting for March next year to send him to his early “Pastoral” calling. Until then, the Governor can do whatever he likes. It is his tenure and it will lapse on May 29 next year.
The majority leader of the Lagos House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, on Friday raised alarm over alleged plans by some people to manipulate the result of the primary election that produced him as a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Adams reportedly won the primary election of the party to produce a candidate for the House of Assembly in Eti-Osa Constituency 1 on Wednesday after polling 7,638 against his opponent’s 1225 votes.
Speaking to thousands of APC supporters during a Victory March, Adams said accused a top monarch (name withheld) in Eti-Osa of being behind the plan to doctor the result in favour of Saheed Adesegun Bankole, who was defeated in the election.
“I want you all very much for the love and passion you have for me and APC. Today is what we call victory walk. We started from VGC with over 4000 APC members. Even inside the rain you stood your ground and you are here to protect your mandate.
“Thank you very much for voting for me. I won the election throughout our wards and the INEC officials, DSS and police personnel were there and even the agents of our opponent were there as well.
“Let me put it on record that his agents and the police signed that the election was free and fair and they took all the results to the local government collation centre.
“When they got there, they presented all the results to the DSS, INEC officials and also to the returning officer and he collected everything and announced that Adams was the winner of the election.
“We believe in this party. The only crime I have committed was during the impeachment of the Speaker; that I did not follow them and did not stand against the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” he alleged.
He said being a politician, he understood “loyalty and how to always be loyal. That is the only crime I committed and today, I’m calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to caution the Oba.
“The Oba is the reason why we lost the presidential election in 2023 in the constituency and he is the reason why we lost the House of Representatives seat. He lost in his own kingdom and the results are there at the INEC for all to see.
“I’m calling on the Inspector General of Police that if anything happens to me, he should hold the Oba responsible. And in 2027, if we lose the presidential election in the local government, the President should hold him responsible. We have assured the President that we are going to vote for him and he will win.”
He urged his loyalists and supporters to remain calm as he trusts the party enough to resolve the issue.
President of the Lekki Residents and Stakeholders Association, Sulyman Bello, also thanked the supporters for having faith in Adams.
“On behalf of all of all the estates from 1004 and across the entire Lekki peninsula, we thank all the APC members for standing by our friend, brother, father Hon. Noheem Adams.
“If all the estates in Eti -Osa Osa, call on him at the same time, he will respond. We also thank God that he got over 7,000 votes and his opponent a little above 1,000 votes. The winning margin is above 90%.
“We thank all those of you that voted and also thank President Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership. We extend our gratitude to the APC leaders in Lagos state. If it is not Noheem, it is not Noheem,” he said.
Politics
Governor Dauda Lawal Emerges APC Consensus Governorship Candidate for Zamfara 2027 Election
Governor Dauda Lawal Ph.d has officially emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election in Zamfara State, following a consensus arrangement adopted by the party for its primaries.The governor secured the ticket after party members and supporters gathered across various wards to endorse him as the APC’s flagbearer for the forthcoming election. The consensus model, which allowed party stakeholders to unite behind a single candidate, was embraced as a strategy to avoid a contentious primary and strengthen internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 polls.Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, Governor Lawal expressed profound gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him. He reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Zamfara, pledging to consolidate ongoing developmental projects aimed at improving the lives of residents across the state.“I am deeply honored by the trust and support of our party faithful,” Lawal said. “We will not relent in our efforts to deliver meaningful development, enhance security, and create opportunities for all citizens of Zamfara State.”His emergence underscores the party’s push to build continuity and strong leadership in the northwest region.Political analysts note that the adoption of consensus candidate signals the APC’s preference for unity and reduced internal friction as the party prepares for the next electoral cycle.
Lagos lawmaker, Adewale Temitope Adedeji, has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the party’s candidacy in Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency 1 ahead of the 2027 general election.Adewale, a current member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, scored 19,111 to defeat his closest rival, Obawole Quadri lawal, who polled 295 votes.Three other aspirants in the election that was monitored by the state electoral officers, the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, Afolabi Ajiboye, Akinyemi Temitope, and Adewale Lateef, scored 165, 73 and 33 votes respectively.The primary election was conducted peacefully on Wednesday across seven political wards in the constituency.A youth leader and participant in the exercise, Demola Olajide, said the peaceful exercise was the result of the maturity of the aspirants and the members’ respect for party supremacy.In a ‘thank you’ message to his constituents on Thursday, Adewale described his victory at the primary election as democracy in action.He noted that the beauty of the exercise was that he had despite having other aspirants, the election was peaceful.”What makes this moment special wasn’t just the win. It was the voices that were heard, the choices people made freely, and the peaceful process that let a community decide its own path forward.”That’s the heart of democracy: every vote counts, every opinion matters, and power flows from the people up.”May this new chapter bring the progress and unity we have promised to fight for. The real work starts now and our leaders are watching with hope.”Let’s be further determined to increase our support for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and other candidates of the party in the 2027 election,” he urged.
Fidelity Bank to Drive SME Growth with Quarterly Business Forum
Rescue Mission @ 3: How Governor Dauda Lawal Dragged Zamfara Back from the Abyss
EID EL-ADHA 2026: Governor Dauda Lawal Urges Increased Prayers for Peace, Hails Return of Displaced Communities
Regberegbe 1986, 87 and 88 Appoints Deputy Speaker As Adviser Okunrin
