Gov. Abiodun Preventing Awori Monarchs From Receiving Otegbeye, Unfortunate, Shameful – ADC

ABEOKUTA – Ogun State chapter of African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of being responsible for the refusal of Awori Obas to receive its governorship candidate today, Barrister Olubiyi Otegbeye.

ADC described the governor’s alleged directive as shameful and unfortunate.

The party disclosed this on Thursday at a press conference addressed by its Apex stakeholders, led by Senator Iyabo Anisulowo.

Other leaders at the press conference with the theme: “forestalling a culture of intolerance and intimidation by Prince Dapo Abiodun towards the 2023 elections in Ogun state” are former Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Muyiwa Oladipo, former House of Representatives member and commissioner of education in Ogun state, Dr. Dele Ogunsiji, Mr. Moshood Akinyele (Americo), Bolaji Adeniji, and former Special Assistant to Governor Gbenga Daniel, Mr. Raheem Ajayi.

Anisulowo explained that, Barrister Otegbeye had written to the Olota of Ota and Head of Awori Obas, Prof. Abdulkabir Obalanlege informing the monarch of his planned visit to the palace on Thursday.

Senator Anisulowo emphasized that, the Olota palace had scheduled Thursday (today) for the meeting with the Council of Awori Obas, saying until Wednesday evening the appointment was still sacrosanct.

She said it was shocking when the ADC candidate received communication from the Olota palace that the visit to the palace has been canceled without any justifiable reason.

“The intimidation by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, that led to the sudden cancellation of the planned visit of Barrister Biyi Otegbeye, the Gubernatorial Candidate of ADC to the Council of Awori Obas which was scheduled for today, is shameful. It is sad that our revered traditional institution which is the custodian of our culture and values is being trampled upon by Governor, Dapo Abiodun.

“Whereas, today 3rd November, 2022 had been fixed by the Council of Awori Obas to meet with Barrister Biyi Otegbeye and up till last evening, the event was billed to hold as many of the Obas were excited and ready to meet us today at the Olota of Ota Palace. It was therefore shocking when Otegbeye received communications,very late last night, from the Palace that the event is cancelled; for no justifiable reasons.

“We smelled a rat and from our findings and reliable information that is not controvertible, it was discovered that the State Government had contacted the Awori Obas not to receive Barrister Biyi Otegbeye and his entourage today. Pray if not so, why will Obas who were all set for us suddenly become unavailable!

“It is ironic that Dapo Abiodun who visited Awori Obas without let or hindrance when he was campaigning to become Governor, has now turned our revered Obas to Push-arounds. This harassment by Abiodun and his failed party (APC) is a sacrilege and a total desecration of the traditional institution.

“It’s even worse that he decided to wield such draconian powers on Ogun West by preventing Yewa-Awori Monarchs from receiving their own Son on their land. As we speak, the same man is currently meeting with Obas in Ijebu-ode just as he has been doing throughout the state. This is pathologically hypocritical and a double standard.

“We hereby use this medium to state emphatically that we will not tolerate this descent into autocratic rule and anarchy in Ogun State. Our State is not a Banana Republic. This is the State of Obafemi Awolowo, Olusegun Obasanjo, Jonathan Odebiyi, MKO Abiola, Olabisi Olabisi Onabanjo, Prof Wole Soyinka and many other patriots who laboured for democracy, rule of law and a free society which enabled individuals like Dapo Abiodun enjoy the privileges of public office.

“We hereby call on all citizens of Ogun State, people of goodwill and the media, to call Dapo Abiodun to order before Ogun State is set on the path of ignominy, animosity and anarchy. It is bad enough that Ogun State is already in a terrible socio-economic situation occasioned by bad governance; to now add intimidation, harassment and threats to the citizens of the state – would inevitably take Ogun State to the dark ages of human cruelty and slavery.”

She, therefore, called on Chief Obasanjo and other respected leaders in the state to caution the from further harrassment and intimidation of the royal fathers.

When contacted, the Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Waheed Odusile denied the state government’s involvement in the cancellation of the political meeting.

Odusile who spoke with THE ENCOUNTER NEWS on telephone interview simply said “that cannot be true, the state government cannot tell Obas what to do.”

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