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Tag: Dapo Abiodun

  • Egba chief predicts victory for Buhari, Dapo Abiodun

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State and Baagbile of Egba land, Dr. Femi Majekodunmi, has predicted landslide victory for President Muhammadu Buhari in next Saturday’s election.

    Majekodunmi said the victory of Mr. President would be across all the six zones as most Nigerians want him and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to them.

    The Baagbile of Egba, who addressed reporters yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital, added that Nigerians love the President and want him re-elected.

    The general medicine practitioner-turned politician noted that President Buhari would not only win convincingly in his stronghold in the Northwest, Northeast and Southwest but would also perform better than he did in 2015 in the Southsouth and the Southeast where he is expected to garner over 25 per cent of the votes and win convincingly in at least four of the states in the two zones.

  • Heavy security after assassination attempt on Abiodun, running mate

    A detachment of armed policemen and Special Anti – robbery Squad (F -SARS) took over Abeokuta and its environs on Thursday following alleged botched attempt on the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun and his running mate, Engr. Noimot Oyedele – Salako in Mokola – Elega area of the state capital by suspected political thugs.

    The armed policemen and SARS were deployed by the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Iliyasu, to the seedy Elega area and other flashpoints to restore normalcy and forestall further outbreak of violence, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told The Nation.

    Abiodun and his running mate were attacked by thugs wielding guns, cutlasses and cudgels after blocking their access way with cars on approaching the Mokola junction near Akomoje in Abeokuta North Local during campaign tour of the area.

    They later opened fire on his campaign train and smashed things on sight.

    There was chaos, tension and pandemonium at the rustic neighbourhood as security Operatives in the convoy of the APC governorship candidate fired repeatedly into the air to scare the attackers away.

    They also cleared the obstructions for quick and safe evacuation of Abiodun and the running mate from spot, but the attackers, it was learnt, audaciously held on to the reign of terror momentarily before they beat a retreat.

    In the pandemonium and ensuing stampede, some of the fear-stricken party members, supporters and innocent passers-by fell on one another as they scampered to safety when gunshots rang out repeatedly.

    It was learnt the assault was allegedly sponsored by a federal lawmaker from Ogun Central, who is a candidate of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), who was allegedly sighted fleeing the scene when the situation took a worrisome dimension.

    It was further gathered the attackers having been dislodged at the Mokola – Elega area later regrouped by noon and stormed the junction of Ori – Omi Sokori area.

    They threatened Abiodun to emerge from a stakeholders’ meeting at Akin Olugbade Social Centre, Abeokuta but his supporters resisted them.

    The prompt intervention of more detachment of armed Policemen hurried to the scene, saved the day as the suspected thugs were chased away.

    Reacting to the latest attack on him, Abiodun said: “When we were approaching Mokola Junction in Abeokuta North Local government, we saw some group of people approaching us, we realised that they were fully armed.

    “Suddenly they started shooting. Thank God for the gallant policemen who were on ground and rose up to the occasion and chased them away.

    “If not for them, only God knows what would have happened today. It is unfortunate that our politics has gotten to this level where it has become do- or- die affair.

    “We should rather canvass for votes and endear ourselves to the people. That is the only way that we would have peaceful election.

    Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, when contacted said policemen, including area Commanders, have been deployed to the affected areas to restore normalcy.

  • Dapo Abiodun: I won’t be ungrateful governor

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has assured the people that he will not disappoint them, if elected.

    Abiodun spoke during his campaign tour of Sagamu Local Government Area, where residents of Sotunbo community defied the downpour to give him a rousing reception.

    The residents expressed solidarity for the governorship candidate but subtly protested their neglect since 2011 by the Ibikunle Amosun administration.

    Promising them participatory decision-making in his choice of project execution, the Iperu-Remo-born prince and governorship hopeful empathised with the people on the deplorable condition of the roads and other infrastructure in the zone.

    Read also: ITTF World Tour: Korean ends Abiodun’s dream

    He noted that the area’s proximity to Lagos should be an added advantage for speedy development.

    Abiodun promised to take Sagamu to greater height.

    “Our words are our promises and our promises are sacred to us,” he said.

    The APC candidate emphasised that the support given to him should be replicated to other candidates of the party across board.

    Abiodun assured the residents that the party would reciprocate the gesture with good governance.

     

     

  • ‘Police watch as billboards, posters of Abiodun are destroyed in Ogun’

    Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organisation (DACO) on Thursday lamented the increasing vandalization and illegal removal of billboards, posters and other campaign items of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, in various locations of Abeokuta Local Government by people suspected to be agents of the state government.

    DACO  said the steady vandalization of Abiodun’s campaign billboards and posters took a new dimension last week and peaked on Monday this week with the alleged damage and removal of one of the billboards located at OPIC junction in Oke – Ilewo, Abeokuta, with armed policemen keeping vigil while the unlawful acts lasted.

    In a signed release made available to reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, by Olufemi Oduntan (Director – General, DACO, Abeokuta South) and Femi Ayorinde( Assistant Director, Media and Publicity, DACO, Abeokuta South), they alleged that an estimated N5m worth campaign billboards and posters of Prince Abiodun have been destroyed in the last two weeks in Abeokuta South.

    The duo said the law abiding APC governorship candidate would not want anything that could jeopardize the peace of the Abeokuta South Local Government as 2019 general elections draw closer.

    Read Also: ‘Why I support Dapo Abiodun’

    Oduntan and Ayorinde, appealed to Governor Ibikunle Amosun to create a level playing ground where all political parties would have the opportunity to sell their manifestoes and programmes to the people of Ogun state through the media of mass communication.

    However, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ogun state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told The Nation that no police officer would vandalise or tear down campaign billboards and posters of politicians, and advised that nobody should drag the police into politicians’ matter.

    Oyeyemi said if armed policemen were sighted where billboards are being pulled down or removed, it means the Ogun state agency in charge of advertising and signage must be the one carrying out the acts, perhaps in line with its signage regulations.

    According the Police Image maker in the state, the presence of police was to forestall a breakdown of law and order in such locations.

     

  • Osinbajo to Ogun kinsmen: Dapo Abiodun will complete cargo airport

    Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) yesterday stormed the palace of the Akarigbo of Remo land in Sagamu, Ogun State, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, and rekindled the hope of the residents that the abandoned cargo airport sited between Iperu and Ilisan in Ogun East Senatorial District will be revisited.

    The cargo airport was among the economic projects initiated during the administration of Governor Gbenga Daniel but abandoned by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in 2011.

    Osinbajo said though the Federal Government had played its part by bringing development to Remo land with an enabling environment, but the responsibility to build the cargo airport rests squarely on the state government.

    The vice-president spoke in Sagamu at a town hall meeting organised for him by the sons and daughters of Remo land.

    It was attended by the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his running mate, Mrs Noimot Salako-Ayodele; the party’s national leader and former Governor Olusegun Osoba; the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Political Matters to President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Babafemi Ojodu; Senators Adegbenga Kaka and Gbenga Obadara and Prince Segun Adesegun.

    Others are: Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, Sir Kesington Adebutu, other monarchs from the three local government areas in Remo, representatives of Arewa and Igbo communities, among others.

    The Vice-President, who hails from Ikenne, expressed the confidence that Abiodun would do the airport, if elected governor on March 2.

    He urged the people to vote for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari, vote for Abiodun en masse and key into the Federal Government’s programmes.

    Osinbajo said: “When Dapo Abiodun comes in as the next governor of Ogun State, he will be able to complete the construction of the abandoned cargo airport located between Iperu and Ilishan road in Ikenne Local Government Area.

    “We have Federal Government’s presence here in Remo land and we can still do more. We are already constructing the Ikorodu-Sagamu road. It is an important road, and the contract for it was awarded six months ago. When it is completed, it will ease traffic from Ikorodu to Sagamu and from Sagamu to Ikorodu.

    “Also  here with us in this meeting, I have brought the Managing Director (MD) of Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority (OORBDA), who is also an illustrious son of Remo land. We have begun the rehabilitation of Ilishan-Iperu water scheme through OORBDA. The design of the water scheme has begun and it will be completed soon. We have a number of projects we have embarked upon in Remo land.

    “In our midst today, we have the Managing Director of Niger Delta Power Development Company (NDPDC), Mr Chinedu Ugboh, and we have a substation in Remo land. But it is not enough to take care of Iperu, Ilishan and other communities. So, we are doing the transmission to improve electricity supply in Remo land.

    “Also, I have good news for you that you will have a passport office in Remo land. There will not be any need to go to Lagos or Abeokuta or Abuja to get international passports.

    “We are already paying attention to ecological funds and one of the projects is ongoing in Ikenne.”

    According to him, the Federal Government doesn’t come and do it but it is the communities that bring them to the fore while the Federal Government puts in the money for execution, where there is a need for intervention.

    “We don’t want people to be jealous of us, but we will do it carefully. With all these projects in place, once we have stable power supply and good roads, investment will come in naturally,” Osinbajo said.

    The Vice-President hinted that the Federal Government was planning to strengthen its “N-Power” to ensure that the empowerment scheme increases from its present 500,000 beneficiaries to one million.

    He said the Federal Government had stemmed the tide of unemployment with the provision of “TraderMoni” and “MarketMoni” through the “N-Power” scheme.

    According to him, all traders in Remo land, in Ogun East Senatorial District, have been enumerated and captured electronically through the “MarketMoni” operated through cooperative societies at N100,000 and “TraderMoni” where beneficiaries are entitled to N10,000.

  • ‘Why I support Dapo Abiodun’

    The Ogun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Muyiwa Oladipo has declared his support for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Dapo Abiodun, saying he remains loyal to the party’s principles which is superior to any personal interest.

    Oladipo, who made this known while fielding questions from reporters in Abeokuta, noted that many were wondering about his political stand and why he remained silent in the ongoing political imbroglio. He said he remained resilient with the APC which is the ruling party, noting that he never thought of decamping to Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM).

    He said: “Truly, there has been many gossiping here and there based on where I belong, most especially when I am silent about the ongoing political machinations in the state. But I must confess to you that I Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo, I am in support of APC progressive principles which are similar to the Action Group (AG), founded by our late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo that was later transformed to Alliance for Democracy (AD) and now APC by the collective agreement of all progressive political leaders and elders in Nigeria.

    “There was a time I showed my interest in contesting for governorship position of this state, but God said it is not yet time. I am in ruling party, APC and I am in support of Prince Dapo Abiodun the governorship candidate of APC in Ogun State who I am very sure by the grace of God will emerge as the Amosun’s successor,” he said.

    On why he remained in APC, he said: “I am in APC because my boss Governor Ibikunle Amosun who appointed me as Commissioner still remains committed to APC progressive ideology. The Governor has his reasons for standing with Buhari in APC and that is why all of us cannot sleep and put our heads in the same direction, and we all have our conscience to follow. “The Governor asked some of his party followers to decamp to the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM) to actualise their political dreams and ambitions,” Oladipo said.

    He noted that the Governor Amosun was in support of Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade from opposition party, APM. That doesn’t mean that other cabinet members of the Amosun should follow his footstep, but one need to be steadfast and committed to the party’s principle that made him an Amosun’s cabinet member.

    He said: “This life is like a talking drum, what faces someone may back another. There is something my boss, Governor Amosun saw in supporting Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade which is personal. So, the sky is very wide enough to accommodate variant birds to fly without conflict of interest.

    “Many Commissioners have resigned their appointments but I have not resigned because the party that appointed me as commissioner is still the ruling APC. The governor never said he is going to APM, so I have no reason leaving the party when our leader in the state is still in support of APC.”

    The Commissioner restated his commitment to the party’s principle at all times but noted that he was ready to leave the party if the  governor also leaves the party for APM, adding that he was not into any anti-party activities but in line with the Amosun’s principle of APC which he said can be justified by his.

    He advise the people to collect their PVCs, which he said was an instrument to choose the candidate of their choice that is going to lead them for the next four years, even as he enjoined the youth not to be used as political thugs for any political gain but be  very wise in working for the success of the general elections.

  • I will make Olokola Free Trade Zone a reality, says Dapo Abiodun

    Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has pledged to rejig the Olokola Free Trade Zone (OKFZ) at Ode-Omi in Ogun-Waterside Local Government Area and make it an economic hub, if elected governor in the forthcoming general elections.

    The multi-billion dollar OKFZ and Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (OKLNG) projects were started during the administration of Governor Gbenga Daniel but abandoned by the Ibikunle Amosun administration immediately it assumed office in 2011.

    Abiodun promised to revisit the projects, saying the Olokola deep sea port would be given a special priority.

    The APC candidate noted that the project is strategic to job creation and income generation for teeming unemployed youths as well as boosting the revenue base of the state and the socio-economic life of the indigenes and residents of Ogun-Waterside.

    Abiodun made the promise yesterday while addressing party faithful, supporters and residents of Ijebu land during his campaign tour of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area and Yemoji Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    The governorship hopeful assured the people that his administration would be business-friendly as it would create an enabling environment for potential investors so that Ogun State and its people could benefit from the economic advantage.

    He said: “The economic importance of all projects is our priority. This project (OKFZ) is our priority. And if I become the governor, I will bring investors to partner with the state government. That will have multiplier effects on the state economy. And we will make it easy for investors to come and invest in Ogun State.

    “The place has the deepest sea port. But unfortunately, that opportunity has not been exploited.

    “I will bring investors to Ogun State – local and private investors. I know how to do it because I am from the private sector. And as a private person, I will develop Ogun State to attract investors.

    “We are commercially well and strategically located. What we intend to do is to endear investors to come to our dear state.”

     

     

     

  • I will make Olokola free trade zone a reality – Dapo Abiodun

    Ogun State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate Prince Dapo Abiodun, has pledged to rejig the Olokola Free Trade Zone(OKFZ) in Ode Omi in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area and make it one of the economic hubs, if elected.

    The multi-billion dollar OKFZ and Olokola Liquified Natural Gas (OKLNG) projects were started during the administration of Governor Gbenga Daniel but abandoned by the Senator Ibikunle Amosun – led administration soon as it came on board in 2011.

    However, Abiodun promised to revisit the projects, saying  the  Olokola deep sea port would be given a special priority, because of its strategic  importance in jobs and income creation for the teeming unemployed youths as well as boosting the revenue base of the state and socioeconomic life of the indigenes and residents of Ogun Waterside.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in the State made this known  while addressing party faithful, supporters and people of Ijebuland during his campaign tour of Ijebu Ode Local government and Yemoji Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on Tuesday.

    The governorship hopeful assured that his administration would be business friendly and creates an enabling environment for potential investors so that Ogun state and her citizens could benefit from the economic advantage

    Abiodun said: “The economic importance of all projects is our priority. This project(OKFZ) is our priority. And if I become the state governor, I will bring investors to partner with the Ogun state government. And that will add multiplier effects on the state economy. And we will make it easy for an investors to come and invest in Ogun state.

    “The place has the deepest sea port, but unfortunately that opportunity has not been exploited.

    “I will bring investors to Ogun state, both local and private investors. I know how to do it  because I came from the private sector. And as a private person, I will develop Ogun state to attract investors.

    “We are commercially well and strategically located. What we intend to do is to endear investors to come to our dear state.”

    He said since Ogun state shares boundary with neighboring Lagos state which is commercially located,  all hands should be on deck to ensure that the state becomes the economic capital of the country.

    Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) the governorship ambition of Dapo Abiodun received yet another boost on Tuesday as the Assembly candidate of the Labour Party from Ijebu North East State Constituency in the forthcoming general election; Mrs Adesanya Bukola Elizabeth dumps her party and decamp to APC.

    She decamped alongside hundreds of her fellow party members from Ogun East Senatorial District at the grand finale rally of the ward to ward campaign tour of Ijebu Ode Local Government held at Oyingbo, Ijebu Ode.

    She said, “We have come here today to join the progressive party, APC to give our maximum support to our kinsman, Prince Dapo Abiodun in order to ensure his victory at the poll.

    “The Awujale of Ijebuland has spoken and directed all the sons and daughters of Ijebuland to support the candidacy of the APC governorship candidate, Prince Dapo Abiodun. It is based on this that we concluded within ourselves to heed to the advice of the highly respected paramount ruler.

    The ex -deputy governor of Ogun State who also doubled as the Director-General of Dapo Abiodun Campaign Organization, Prince Segun Adesegun, who received the defectors lauded their decision to be part of the progressive and assured them of adequate integration.

    Earlier, the former governor of the State and one of the National leaders of the party, Chief Olusegun Osoba assured the party faithful of better days ahead.

  • Abiodun promises to end neglect of Ogun border communities

    Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Prince Dapo Abiodun has vowed to end the long neglect of border communities, if elected.

    Abiodun said over a dozen of border areas such as Isheri, Ojodu Abiodun, Akute, Ajuwon, Ijoko and Agbado among others would experience massive uplift following years of neglect and infrastructural decay.

    The governorship candidate gave the assurance during his ward to ward campaign tour of Ifo Local Government and Ifo State Constituency 11 where he visited the Palace of Alajuwon Of Ajuwon, Oba Nurudeen Egunsola and met with other royal fathers, Baales and residents.

    He said there were plans and policies in place, which he would deploy to develop the area and open them to the rest of the state  and Lagos  when he becomes governor.

    According to him: “This campaign tour has given us the opportunity to move round these border communities and we have seen the level of their infrastructural decay.

    “It is a clear indication that these places have been long neglected and the gap between them and the neighboring Lagos State is too wide in terms of development.

    “Despite these challenges, the acceptability of our party remains very high. Hence, we will ensure we start to ameliorate these challenges immediately we get into the office.

    Read Also: Rousing support as Abiodun flags-off campaign

    “Some of the challenges we have identified which they have also told us are lack of motorable roads; public schools; functioning health centres recreational facilities and other basic amenities like pipe borne water.

    “I am assuring them that all these deficiencies have been captured in our blueprint and they will begin to see a new dawn when we assume office.”

    The entrepreneur and real estate operator was accompanied by his running mate, Engr (Mrs.) Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the party’s candidate for Ifo/Ewekoro federal Constituency, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim, party’s candidate for the Ifo state constituency two, Hon. Fola Salami and other party chieftains.

    Oba Egunsola declared Dapo Abiodun as the next governor of State, urging his people to stand by all the APC candidates.

    He enjoined the candidates not to forget their promises when they get to office.

  • My ambition not worth blood of Ogun people –Dapo Abiodun

    Mr Dapo Abiodun, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday said that his ambition was not worth the blood of anyone in Ogun.

    In a statement issued in Abeokuta by his spokesperson, Remmy Hazzan, the APC candidate said that he was in the race to win and serve.

    “I would not want anyone to be killed or maimed for supporting me and my party.

    “I have left the comfort of my highly successful local and international businesses to serve my dear Ogun people.

    “I am confident of my local and global goodwill, connections and networks that can be put at the service of Ogun workers and people, indigenes and residents.

    “I don’t want my people to be killed, injured or maimed, I don’t want to govern over families that have lost breadwinners or are physically challenged as a result of political violence,’’ he said.

    Abiodun, quoting the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948, said “the will of the people shall be the basis of government, and this will be expressed through a democratic election that is free, fair and credible.’’

    “I, therefore, call on candidates of all political parties to play by the rules. In the first place, we are all brothers and sisters. Violence is not the way to go.

    “Our campaign has been issues-based and non-violent. That was the assurance we gave from the onset, that is the pledge we will keep to despite the unwarranted smear campaign from certain quarters,’’ he added.

    Read Also: APC desperate to remove CJN over polls, PDP alleges

    The APC candidate, however, urged members of the public to protect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC).

    “Keep your PVC to use, as your conscience desires a better Ogun State under a governor who will listen and who will be friendly to workers, farmers, students and all segments of the society.

    “Those who have not collected their PVC should do so and timely too.

    “ Those who want to buy your PVC are simply telling you that they don’t trust you to vote for them.

    “They want to debar your rights to vote. Please don’t sell your rights,’’ Abiodun said.