After a hard‑fought election, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has secured a second term. The Independent National Electoral Commission declared on March 19 that the All Progressives Congress candidate won with 276,298 votes, defeating Peoples Democratic Party contender Oladipupo Adebutu, who garnered 262,383 votes. In his acceptance speech, Abiodun thanked the electorate, attributing his victory to divine providence and describing it as a vote of confidence in his administration. He pledged to complete ongoing projects and to develop the state equitably, without favoring any region.
Within 48 hours of his declaration as governor‑elect, various stakeholders began presenting their expectations. Ajani Sodiq, former Students’ Union President of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, urged Abiodun to focus on the education sector, highlighting the plight of students forced to cover lecturers’ unpaid salaries and calling for improved infrastructure and consistent supervision.
Labor leaders also voiced their demands. Hamid Ademola, state chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, appealed for a meeting with organized labor to review the July 2022 memorandum of action. Akeem Lasisi, chairman of the state Trade Union Congress and former head of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, warned against clashes with unions and emphasized the need to honor the memorandum’s provisions on gratuities, leave allowances, and deductions, urging the government to increase allocations for these payments.
In the health sector, Dr Kunle Ashimi, state chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, called for incentives to curb the “japa” (brain‑drain) of health workers, better working conditions, accommodation for staff in remote areas, regular training, and the replacement of outdated equipment. He advocated for upgrading existing facilities, building new ones in underserved areas, conducting performance audits, integrating private practitioners into the health plan, fostering public‑private partnerships, and ensuring efficient procurement of drugs and supplies.
Business owners and traders highlighted economic concerns. Mrs Bukunmi Oladele, a soft‑drink trader, linked high market prices to insufficient agricultural investment and urged the governor to support farmers with loans and resources. Olamilekan Taiwo, a resident, called for greater youth empowerment and employment, as well as improvements to infrastructure and education. National Youth Service Corps member Ogungbayi Abdullateef echoed the need to unlock the state’s economic potential and empower young people.
Traders also raised specific commercial issues. Fasilat Adigun, a jewellery seller in Lafenwa, Abeokuta, lamented the lack of proper market space, forcing her to sell on the roadside, and asked the governor to provide adequate trading areas. Mariam Olopade, a small‑business owner, stressed the importance of stable electricity for enterprises, noting that fuel costs heavily impact income. Food seller Oyindamola, operating in the Oloke axis, reiterated the call for greater agricultural investment to ensure food security.
Residents of communities bordering Lagos urged the governor to address infrastructural deficits, especially by completing projects left by his predecessor and constructing roads in Sango‑Ota. Alhaji Abbas Adewale of Ibafo reminded Abiodun that his strongest support came from Ado‑Odo/Ota, Obafemi‑Owode, and Odeda, and cautioned him to remember these areas. He also noted that former governors Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun were more active in their first terms than in their second, suggesting that Abiodun avoid a similar decline in productivity.
Comments are closed for this story.