Why Sidelined Political Figures Are Not Challenging Abiodun’s Grip On Ogun APC

Insiders have revealed why the owners of the powerful political structures that make the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) formidable in Ogun state are not challenging the vice grip of Governor Dapo Abiodun on the party.

Abiodun, in his last term of the two constitutionally allowed tenures, has firmly taken over the APC in the state. His loyalists are calling the shots, and they and their men are the candidates of the party for the November 16, 2024 Ogun state local government election.

Sources say influential figures sidelined in the running of the party — and government — are not contesting the governor’s hold because they have already firmly planted themselves in the future.

“It is about foresight and knowing your strength. It is an open secret that Ogun APC cannot retain power in the state without these people, and this fact inevitably opens the door for the need for reconciliation to win in 2027 at the state and federal levels. That is when everything will be sorted out,” insiders say.

Abiodun, who is presently in charge of the political party, won the elections that gave him his first term in office in 2019 and second term in 2023 on the strength of “borrowed” political structures.

Checks revealed that although he is the governor — even with the expected political advantage of putting in place loyal chairmen and councillors across the 20 local governments in Ogun state — the perception is that Abiodun is behind in the list of owners of formidable political structures in the state.

Listed ahead of the governor are Senator Gbenga Daniel and former Senator Ibikunle Amosun (both former two-term governors of Ogun state), and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the leading gubernatorial aspirant famously known as Yayi. Even the semi-retired elder statesman, Aremo Olusegun Osoba’s political structure — when activated — is deemed stronger than the governor’s.

Abiodun, who holds Osoba in high regard — in his conduct and deeds — appears to have put all the others “in their place.”

“And they are biding their time to put him in his place as negotiations and horse-trading over the 2027 election get underway,” according to insiders.

Interest in the 2027 election is intense, with claims Abiodun is looking to become the first governor to install a desired successor in Ogun, while the other political actors have different game plans. Added to this is the taken-for-granted desire that the APC also wants to retain the presidential seat, with the need to retain Ogun state and others paramount.