Governor Dapo Abiodun Conditions APC Candidacy on Loyalty as Ogun Prepares for November Local Government Elections

As Ogun State gears up for the November local government elections, Governor Dapo Abiodun has made it clear that loyalty to his leadership will be the key determinant for All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates seeking to contest. This directive was issued during a meeting with select party leaders last Sunday, where the governor emphasized that only those who pledge allegiance to him will be considered eligible.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The meeting, which took place at the Presidential Lodge—now serving as the governor’s official residence—was marked by its late start and strict tone. Originally scheduled for 2 pm, the discussions did not begin until 6 pm. According to sources present, Governor Abiodun instructed the party leaders to suspend local campaigning, streamline candidate selection, and ensure that only those loyal to him are chosen to run for office.

Governor Abiodun’s stance comes amidst growing concerns over local government autonomy, with the governor reportedly warning that any candidate who does not show loyalty will be disqualified and replaced. Having secured his second term without substantial support from key party figures, Abiodun asserted his control over the candidate selection process, even addressing potential defectors with a vow to defeat them in the elections, which will be overseen by the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC).

The governor also addressed rumors of some APC leaders planning to field candidates under different political parties. He reportedly dismissed these efforts, confidently predicting their electoral defeat.

APC members and loyalists in Ogun State have expressed deep concerns over what they perceive as Governor Abiodun’s authoritarian approach. They fear that his insistence on handpicking candidates could undermine the party’s democratic values and harm its interests. Some party leaders have likened his actions to a departing guest’s attempt to leave a lasting, albeit damaging, legacy. They warn that these tendencies could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to entrench democratic values and promote local government autonomy in Ogun State.

One party leader, who attended the governor’s briefing, criticized Abiodun’s actions, stating, “Dapo Abiodun is simply trying to recruit his cronies as local government council chairmen who would not only be puppets but serve as conduits for siphoning local government funds. It’s all about converting the resources of the state for his personal use.”

In response to these allegations, Governor Abiodun’s Special Adviser on Media, Kayode Akinkade, described the claims as “mischievous.” Akinkade explained that the state’s laws determine the eligibility of candidates, not the governor. He emphasized that the primary elections would allow all eligible APC members to contest, with the winner being determined by the votes of party members, not by the governor’s discretion.

“The allegations by those people are misleading and intended to mislead the public; there is absolutely nothing of such from the governor,” Akinkade added.