By Osho Oluwatosin
The inauguration ceremony for newly elected governors and president was held yesterday Monday, 29th Of May, 2023 but the day didn’t pass without a drama that hasn’t been talked about.
While fresh governors and political officeholders enjoyed massive support from their people and a crowded attendance at the venue of their inauguration ceremony, the governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun was embarrassed with scanty attendance on his big day.
As an incumbent governor who boasts of organic love from the people of Ogun state, many had expected the MKO Abiola stadium to be filled to the brim for ‘the man of the moment but the reverse was the case for the good-looking governor.
In Abia state for example, Alex Otti’s inauguration was more like a carnival as the stadium used was filled to the brim, especially for the fact that superstar, David Adeleke performed at the inauguration ceremony. Ordinarily, people like Alex Otti who are freshly elected should not be compared to Governor Dapo Abiodun who has governed for four years but sadly, the table turned.
The governor and his aides have kept mute about this embarrassment because the number of attendees means nothing as long as he seats on the throne but this could be an indication that all isn’t well between Governor Dapo Abiodun and some stakeholders in the state.
For instance, there was no recent past governor that attended the inauguration ceremony. Former Governor, Ibikunle Amosun wasn’t present, although, it is not hidden that he isn’t on good terms with the governor but what about former governor Gbenga Daniel who neglected his state function for President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inauguration in Abuja?. This for sure shows the kind of relationship the governor has with his predecessors and the good people of Ogun state.
There are indications and rumours in different sectors of the state that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s seat is shaking following the court case surrounding his second term election. For many political actors in Ogun state, the sack of Governor Dapo Abiodun is imminent on account of how he emerged a winner in the keenly contested election. The margin between him and the runner-up, Ladi Adebutu of PDP is lesser than the number of rejected votes in the election. Ordinarily, the election should have been declared inconclusive according to the electoral law but rumours have it that the returning officer was threatened into declaring the winner of the election.
The embarrassingly low attendance witnessed at the inauguration ceremony may have been caused by the tussle between the governor and his predecessors or fears that his victory may be overturned by the election tribunal. Whatever the reasons may be, it’s not a good sign for the governor. It was indeed an embarrassing moment for Governor Dapo Abiodun, one of the finest political leaders in the South West zone of the country.
