Abiodun’s Re-election bid suffers A setback As Ogun Waterside Monarchs Endorse Otegbeye & Awonuga of ADC
Sameerah Adebola
The reelection bid of Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ogun State, has suffered a major blow as Obas in Ogun Waterside Local Government on Thursday endorsed Barrister Biyi Otegbeye and Alhaji Olatunde Awonuga for Governor and Deputy Governor respectively on the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC), NigerianEcho has learnt.
On November 3, 2022; the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona and other monarchs in Ijebu had assembled to endorse the re-election bid of Abiodun. The monarchs said Abiodun deserved a second term because of his “impressive performance in the last 39 months.”
“You have worked assiduously these past three years and three months and you have justified why you deserve a second term in office,” Oba Adetona said
Awonuga, the Deputy Governorship candidate of ADC, who hails from Oni in Ogun Waterside Local Government was given a rousing “homecoming” reception on Thursday at Abigi, the headquarters of the Local Government.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Awonuga said if elected, the ADC government would declare a State of emergency on Infrastructure.
“We will declare a State of emergency on Infrastructure and education. Ogun State used to be the number one in education throughout Nigeria, but today we are not even among the first ten. The deficit on our infrastructure is too much and this has affected the economic development of the state.
“There is no Community that is surrounded by water which remains poor. The importance of water cannot be overemphasised and that is why Nations all over the World spend billions of dollars to channel water to many areas of interest. We don’t have any reason to be poor because water is abundant to us. We have a Master plan to turn around the fortunes of our people. Lekki could just be 30 minutes away from here if three bridges are constructed”, Awonuga said.
Earlier at the Palace of Elefire of Efire land, Awonuga thanked all the Obas in Waterside Local for the warm reception he received. In his welcome address, Oba Barr. Olusegun Ogunye, Ojotumoro of Abigi, stated that the Obas in the Local Government are united. He introduced all the monarchs in the Local Government who were present. They include Oba Musa Adetokun Adeniyi, the Elefire of Efire, who is also the Chairman of the Crown Obas in Ijebu land. Others are Oba Adesina Kassim, Osobia of Makun Omi; Oba F. A. OBIKOYA Oloni of Oni and Oba B.O. Balogun, Onirokun of Irokun.
In his keynote address, Oba Adeniyi, the Elefire of Efire said they would support the ticket of Otegbeye/Awonuga.
” I am happy one of us has been picked as the Deputy Governorship candidate of a viable party like ADC. We are a forgotten people and this inclusion will aid our development.
“Awonuga is a home bred and he knows our situation. Picking him as the running mate to Otegbeye who is another illustrious son from Ogun West is a masterstroke which has galvanised and mobilised our people. I am also told that Otegbeye’s mother is from Ijebu land . We will support them and by the grace of God, they shall win”, Oba Adeniyi said.
The Obas later took turns to pray for the success of the team in the 2023 general elections.
