2023 Gubernatorial Election In Ogun State; A Retrospect — Lukman Banjoko

Many conjectures, positions and assertions had been made on the recently concluded Gubernatorial election in Ogun State. Those who lost have alluded to the fact that the election was rigged while those who won have claimed the margin was narrowed because the opposition induced voters with money.

The two positions are correct to an extent. But in the political circle, the two are called RIGGING

My focus is on the main factor that was responsible for the narrowed lead margin obtained by Governor Dapo Abiodun. It is no longer news that OGD played significant role to the emergence of Prince Dapo Abiodun as Governor in 2019. His non-committal to PDA in 2023 was largely responsible for the loss in Ogun East Senatorial District.

Trouble started between the two friends (OGD & PDA) immediately PDA was sworn in in 2019. It was alleged that OGD, using his connections with the authorities of Nigeria Police in Abuja reclaimed his ceased Conference Hotel, Abeokuta by Amosun’s administration without due recourse to PDA as the Chief Security Officer of the state. The Governor felt slighted and resolved to part with OGD.

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In the build up to 2023 General Elections, OGD showed interest in contesting for the Ogun East Senatorial seat. The Governor decided to take his pound of flesh by not backing him. It was even claimed in some quarters that PDA was eyeing the seat after his tenure in 2027, and therefore, giving OGD the necessary support to emerge might be a hindrance to his plan in 2027.

OGD did not deterred, rather, he used his dexterity and deplored all his strategies to emerge as the Senator-Elect. It is worthy of note to say that the non-appearance of PDA at any of the OGD’s ward to ward campaign tours in Ogun East was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

As said earlier, the silence of OGD and the rapport with Lado, contributed in no small measures to the heavy defeat suffered by PDA in Ogun State. PDA won in both Ogun West and Central Senatorial Districts, but lost in his Senatorial District.

I am of the strongest opinion that if the differences between the two leaders had been well managed, PDP would have been roundly defeated.

Going forward, as a stalwart of APC in Sagamu Local Government, my appeal goes to the two leaders to not only bury their differences, but work in unison for the greater number of party members and people in general to greatly benefit from the incoming APC’s governments at Federal and State levels because I have no doubt that Tinubu will perform exceptionally.

Anything contrary to this, will spell doom for the Party.

Yours very sincerely,

Lukman Banjoko

Ward 6, Sagamu LG