By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The candidate of Accord Party in the recently held August 16 Remo Federal Constituency bye – election in Ogun State, Hon. Oke Rotimi Michael, has identified the seeming 2027 epic senatorial race for Ogun East Senatorial District as the driver of the ongoing wave of harassment and intimidation of the opposition, especially in the Remo axis of the Ogun East.
Oke said that the unfolding political drama called for concern, given the alleged iron – fist manner Governor Dapo Abiodun is handling the opposition voices in the state as evidenced in the frequent accounts of notices or threats to demolish houses and property belonging to those perceived as political opponents.
Describing the development as a cause for alarm, he said that the Governor should be reminded that governance is service to all and not option for selective loyalty, warning that any recourse to using the state power as a weapon against opposition members could set a wrong precedent in the polity.
He cited the reported threats to demolish Gbenga Daniel’s Aseludero Court private residence, Conference Hotel and its annex – all in Sagamu GRA section of Ogun State as well as the recent “Notice of Default” pasted on the Ode Remo property of Hon Ladi Adebutu and the orchestrated plots to suspend Senator Daniel from the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) as products of the ominous hand of Abiodun.
According to Oke who doubles as the state chairman of the ACCORD Party, the Governor’ action allegedly bordered on “sending fear and putting knife on the rope, holding the stability of Ogun State polity.”
The Daily Crucible reports that Ogun East Senatorial District comprises 9 local governments – with 6 of them situating in the Ijebu zone while the rest is domiciled in Remo. The Senatorial Seat is currently occupied by Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a two – time Governor of Ogun State. He is from Remo. Speculations are rife that Daniel is desirous of renewing his mandate in 2027, a move likely to put him on a collision course with Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is also believed to be aspiring to retire to the Senate after May 2027.
In a statement made available to The Daily Crucible on Tuesday and titled, ‘OGUN STATE: The Ruling and Opposition Parties – Governor Dapo Abiodun, Don’t Forget the Story of the Elephant and the Tortoise,’ Oke reminded the Governor that he has barely 16 months left to stay in office, wondering how he would feel if his successor should act towards him the same way he is allegedly harassing perceived opponents at the moment.
The Accord Party chieftain urged leaders and stakeholders of the Remoland, and Ogun State in general to prevail on the Governor to end the sustained climate of harassment and intimidation of opponents in Ogun East ahead of the 2027 senatorial polls.
He stated, “The unfolding political drama in Ogun State call for wise consideration, especially the manner with which the present government of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, is handling opposition voices. Frequent accounts of notices or threats to demolish houses and properties belonging to those perceived as political opponents are fast becoming a cause for alarm.
“At first, some of us thought these events were political jokes. But since the stories have increased in volume, particularly about attempts to demolish the residences of distinguished leaders like former Governor and current Senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) and Hon. Ladi Adebutu (The PDP Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections), it became clear that these matters are no longer taken lightly. They are now a direct challenge to the democratic culture of Ogun State.
“It was unexpected that demolition notices were served on OGD’s properties days to the Remo Federal Constituency bye-election of August 16, 2025. That it was carried out at such a time only raised questions. Some were of the opinion that it was an attempt to take total charge of the said election, while some were of the view that, it formed a well-thought-out strategy to make it hard for OGD to return to the Green Chamber in 2027.
“But here is the irony: many of the very same civil servants or agents who posted those notices may have directly benefitted from OGD’s job opportunities and development projects during his eight wondrous years as governor of Ogun State.
“But the reality is always the same, Otunba Gbenga Daniel is a giant of Ogun politics, particularly in Ogun East Senatorial District. His victory, political fortune, and popular goodwill cannot be erased by force or any so called politician in Ogun State. As the people say, “Baba na Father.”
“When the demolition proposal failed, another extremist measure followed, his suspension from the ruling party. This move only served to deepen the feeling that the state government actions were politically driven. In fact, most people now openly see such actions as purposeful harassment in connection with the 2027 senatorial race. And if anyone still has any doubt regarding the political power of OGD, let this be stated categorically: if he chooses to contest on the ticket of any other party, ACCORD included which is willing to give him the ticket unanimously, because of his unprecedented and unmeasurable contributions towards human and structural developments, his record and popularity among the common people, he would win easily nonetheless.
“But the matter does not stop there with OGD. Fresh reports have it that Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu’s residence on Ode Road in Remo North Local Government has also been labeled for sanction or perhaps demolition. This raises serious questions: are opposition leaders now prohibited from residing in peace in Ogun State? Has democracy been replaced with a monarchical system where dissent is cowed rather than treated like an Emperor?
“Governor Abiodun must be reminded that governance is service to all and not the option of selective loyalty. He took an oath to govern Ogun State as a governor to all, irrespective of critics or supporters. To use state power against opposition members is a wrong precedent in our polity, he is only sending fear and putting knife on the rope, holding the stability of our polity.
“We must all bring into remembrance now, the fable of the Tortoise and the Elephant. In the fable, the animals deceived the Elephant into believing that he was to be king, but the entire experience came to nothing. The moral inference is clear: power is transient, and tyranny or deception in leadership never turns out well.
“Being a Yoruba gentleman, Governor Abiodun must be the embodiment of the Omoluabi virtues of fairness, respect, and justice. Politics must never be reduced to personal score-settling or harassment. History has taught us that nothing is permanent and power is only a trust which sooner or later will devolve upon others. As others have ruled before him, so too will others rule after him.
“The Governor has scarcely 16 months to stay in office. How would he feel if his successor acts towards him the same way he is acting towards his perceived opponents at the moment? Leaders and stakeholders of the Remo Land, and Ogun State in general, should call the Governor to order. This is not just about political rivalry, it is about democracy, justice, and posterity.
“Ogun State is our collective property. Let us guard her against the politics of destruction.”
Written By:
Hon. Oke Rotimi Michael,
State Chairman,
ACCORD,
Ogun State.
