Afrigather 
By Tunde Salako
Because the conduct of the presidential and governorship elections, the media has been inundated by experiences of organized protests by the opposition events and their candidates calling for the cancellation of outcomes of the polls which have been adjudged to be free, truthful, and credible. Really, at no time in our latest previous had the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) been a lot vilified for no different cause apart from the unfounded allegations of irregularities that they claimed characterised the conduct of those elections. Among the mob supporters of the candidates behind these shenanigans have even gone to the acute of constructing sly innuendo towards the Chairman of the electoral fee, Prof Mahmood Yakub, for refusing to succumb to their intimidation, allusive and disparaging remarks.
Already, the opposition Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) in Ogun State has joined the fray, claiming manipulation of the electoral course of in favour of Governor Abiodun. The nice factor right here is that the general public is absolutely conscious of the truth that the PDP candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, engaged in vote-buying by means of the inducement of voters with secret disbursement of N10,000 bank cards on the day of the election. But, they’re on the market pouring on the streets crying blue homicide. All of those shall be sorted out on the regulation courtroom on the applicable time. By then, all those that are hiding behind the needle to trigger disaffection within the state will bury their faces in disgrace.
Probably the most intriguing factor within the Ogun State state of affairs is the direct connivance of some huge pictures throughout the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) within the state with these subversive parts throughout the PDP who’re hell bent on knocking down the roof as a result of they didn’t win. As an illustration, Steve Oliyide, a former soft-sell journalist and now an aide to former governor Gbenga Daniel, has persistently maintained seen media presence, giving all manners of the reason why his boss emerged as the preferred candidate for his senatorial district on the platform of the APC. Amongst his latest revealed articles towards the victorious governor was the one he titled: “Why Dapo Abiodun didn’t win Ogun State elections”.
First, by making such an irresponsible and illogical assertion in his write-up, he has confirmed the well-known incontrovertible fact that Gbenga Daniel really labored for the PDP towards Governor Dapo Abiodun and nonetheless is appearing behind the scene to stoke the ember of disunity within the state by means of the sponsorship of protests towards the INEC outcomes. By giving his tacit help for all of the assaults on Abiodun, Daniel has additionally confirmed an earlier unconfirmed report that he collected lots of of tens of millions of naira from Chief Adebutu Kessington in trade for a deal to make sure the victory of the PDP within the March 18, 2023 governorship ballot. That is with a view to giving his son, Ladi Adebutu, a easy journey to the Okemosan, Abeokuta Governor’s Workplace. However the plot failed and fell like a pack of playing cards.
Daniel really profiteered from the elections. He collected cash from Sir Adebiyi Kessington, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Segun Osoba and from the APC nationwide headquarters.
The reality of the matter is that proper from the onset, Daniel has been a mole within the APC working for the PDP however Governor Abiodun seems to be too trusting and unsuspecting of his sinister motive.
From the time he joined the APC, there was a recreation plan to make use of the equipment of the get together to work for the PDP, whereas additionally pursuing his Ogun East senatorial ambition. Certainly, data from the dependable sources revealed how within the build-up to the governorship ballot, Daniel convened a number of nocturnal conferences along with his previous allies who’re at present occupying key positions in Abiodun’s administration to work for Ladi Adebutu. However a few of these current on the assembly was mentioned to have turned down the request primarily based on their allegiance and loyalty to Governor Abiodun in addition to their dedication to his re-election bid.
In all of this scheming, Daniel was projecting towards a return to the senate in 2027. A part of the deal is to defect again to PDP within the occasion that Adebutu wins the governorship election. However he acquired the sums incorrect. If Adebutu did win and he can’t win on the tribunal both as a result of the proof of his rigging and vote-buying is just too overwhelming to upturn the outcomes declared by the INEC. This, in fact, is with out prejudice to no matter will be the consequence of the petition filed earlier than the judiciary.
At present, Senator Lekan Mustapha should be ruing the day he succumbed to the stress to step down for Daniel throughout the primaries of the APC as a result of he has betrayed the belief reposed in him by the management of the get together. That could be a lesson for one more day. In the identical approach, Governor Abiodun would additionally want he had not untied among the traps his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, set earlier than him. An excellent working example is the Convention lodge positioned alongside Ibrahim Babangida Boulevard, Okemosan, owned by Daniel. The lodge was sealed by EFCC on prices of misappropriation of public funds and embezzlement and Daniel was dragged to courtroom by the EGCC.
In defiance of the courtroom proceedings, Daniel unlawfully took over the possession of the premises of the Convention Resort, did the mandatory work, and re-launched enterprise operations. On the day of the commissioning attended by the Vice President by means of the affect of the hovernor, the general public didn’t know that EFCC operatives really stormed the venue to arrest Daniel. It took the intervention of the governor to influence the EFCC to vacate the premises in order that the Vice President and different dignitaries current won’t be embarrassed.
Not solely that, OGD was declared ‘persona non-grata’ who coul not stroll free on the roads of the state capital, Abeokuta, for eight years. His investments throughout the state had been shut down. Not spared was the partial demolition of the “Abraham Tabernacle” construction positioned alongside Oba Erinwole Street, Sagamu underneath the guise of highway enlargement by the earlier administration whose elms man the identical Daniel is now hobnobbing clandestinely with. With out prejudice, Abiodun, not too long ago took up the accountability and reconstructed the deserted Oba Erinwole highway which additionally results in “Asoludero Court docket”, house of OGD, to ease the move of site visitors and likewise serves as a substitute route linking Ikorodu (Lagos State).
As they are saying, the remaining is historical past.
For there to be betrayal, there would have been belief first. In rehabilitating Daniel with the APC senatorial ticket, Governor Abiodun gave his belief. However all he will get in return for the gesture is back-stabbing and outright betrayal. There may be at all times one other day.
