By Dr. Arabambi Abayomi
My attention has been drawn to an article by Wale Onifade titled “Ogun East Ticket: How Dapo Abiodun Is Bullying, Threatening and Manipulating His Way to a Senatorial Showdown.”
Ordinarily, such a piece would not merit a response. However, given its divisive tone and the potential to mislead the public, it becomes necessary to set the record straight.
The article, unfortunately, is a compilation of conjectures, anonymous claims, and unsubstantiated allegations. It reflects not investigative journalism but a deliberate attempt to distort a legitimate political process. At best, it is speculative; at worst, it is mischievous.
There is a clear distinction between politics and governance—one that responsible actors must respect. While politics allows for contestation, governance demands responsibility and truth. What we see in the referenced article is a dangerous blurring of that line, where hearsay is elevated to fact and suspicion paraded as evidence.
The report leans heavily on unnamed sources, vague accusations, and dramatic language, yet provides no verifiable proof. Claims of inducement involving hundreds of party stakeholders at the Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode are made without a single piece of credible evidence—no names, no documents, no verifiable witnesses.
In reality, the meeting in question was attended by the full complement of Ogun East APC leadership: ward executives, local government officials, serving and former lawmakers, and members of the State Advisory Council. To suggest that such a broad and diverse assembly collectively compromised its integrity without a single dissenting voice or credible leak is not only implausible but also insulting to the individuals involved.
More importantly, the article deliberately ignores the performance record of Governor Dapo Abiodun. Under his administration, Ogun State has witnessed significant strides in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development. The Gateway International Airport stands as a tangible achievement, not a rumour. The discovery of oil resources positions the state for a new phase of economic growth. Salaries, pensions, and gratuities are paid with commendable regularity, ensuring industrial harmony.
These are verifiable facts. Yet, they are conspicuously absent from the narrative presented by the writer. Instead, the focus is on sensational claims designed to provoke rather than inform.
Equally concerning is the attempt to manufacture a rift between Governor Abiodun and the presidency. Allegations of a confrontation with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are presented without confirmation or official response. Such claims are not only reckless but undermine public trust in both leadership and the political process.
The argument regarding the preservation of ranking status in the Senate may be valid in principle. However, it must be presented in good faith—not weaponised as a tool for political attack. Governance and representation should ultimately be evaluated on impact, not merely tenure.
As Chinua Achebe once observed, the damage caused by bad politics can take years of good governance to repair. Publications like this risk deepening divisions and eroding trust at a time when constructive engagement is most needed.
The political season should not be an excuse for the abandonment of truth. Vigilance is necessary, but so is responsibility. Not every endorsement is a product of coercion, and not every political gathering is a marketplace for inducement.
Governor Abiodun’s record remains open to scrutiny, as it should be. However, criticism must be grounded in facts, not fiction. If there are genuine concerns, they should be supported with verifiable evidence, not anonymous insinuations.
Ultimately, the decision on representation lies with the electorate. The ballot—not speculation—will determine the outcome. Until then, public discourse must be guided by integrity, fairness, and respect for truth.
Ogun East, and indeed Ogun State, deserves nothing less.
Conclusion Note
It is evident that a coordinated attempt is underway to shape public perception through sponsored narratives, social media agitation, and questionable analysis.
However, history has shown that propaganda cannot substitute performance.
Like the proverbial villager who predicts a flood in the dry season to gain attention, such efforts may generate noise but will ultimately fade in the face of reality. The people are discerning, and truth, no matter how delayed, will always prevail.
Dr. Arabambi Abayomi (FBAU)
Ajagungbade I of Nigeria
State Convener, Sustainability of Ogun & Dapo Abiodun Legacy Beyond 2027
Date: April 20, 2026
