By Lekan Adeniran (Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun)

On Friday, January 19, the Supreme Court affirmed the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun as the Ogun State governor. A five-member panel of the court led by Justice John Okoro held that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, failed to prove allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the conduct of the 18 March 2023 elections.

“This appeal is unmeritorious and ought to be dismissed and it is hereby dismissed. The judgement of the Appeal Court is hereby affirmed,” said Tijjani Abubakar who read the lead judgement.

Incidentally, Adebutu’s arrival at a New Year service organised by a former governor of the State was heralded with loud cheers on Sunday, January 17. Videos of the service which flooded the social media presented the false hope that his matter at the Supreme Court would result in him being declared the Ogun State governor. But Governor Abiodun is a man of destiny. The highest court in the land upheld the election that produced him.

It is crystal clear that Prince Abiodun is the Lord’s project and no mortal can stop the march of destiny.

A mandate confirmed is a mandate fully renewed. With a renewed mandate till 2027, Mr. Adebutu and his party, PDP, have no choice but to support the governor in the quest to transform Ogun State. After the judicial rigmarole, Adebutu owes his conscience the moral duty of supporting Governor Abiodun in the quest to turn the Gateway State around. Significantly, the Supreme Court judgment has solidified the legitimacy of Governor Abiodun’s mandate, reinforcing his authority to govern effectively. This ruling has also strengthened the people’s trust and confidence in his leadership, as it demonstrates the judicial system’s endorsement of the election results and affirms the democratic process.

The end to the legal tussle, hopefully, should also bring the much-needed political stability to Ogun State. The prolonged court proceedings have not only been a drain on resources but have also created uncertainty and distractions in governance. This much was attested to by the governor during a Thanksgiving Service to mark his victory at the St. James’ Anglican Church, Iperu on Sunday. He said, “Although this period has brought a lot of distractions, I am relieved that is now behind us, allowing us to fully focus on our unwavering commitment to lead Ogun State to new heights and make it a shining example amongst not just Nigerian states, but other states in Africa.”

One can say unequivocally that the state has never had it so good. Now, the governor can proceed with the implementation of his policies and programmes and push forward with his agenda, with emphasis on good governance, accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of the citizens. It was fitting enough that the governor’s plane from Abuja after the judgement landed at the Ogun State International Agro Cargo Airport. Ensuring its total completion has been a major plan of the administration. The airport is a legacy project that should be the pride of any administration. The governor has strategically positioned Ogun State to reap the maximum benefits of its contiguity to Lagos. This has no doubt further boosted the state’s economy and ensured its exponential growth. This confirms what a report said last year, namely that Ogun State outperformed Rivers State, a major oil-producing state, on the list of economically viable states for 2022.

Ogun State has consistently ranked among the three topmost revenue generating states in Nigeria since Governor Abiodun came to office. Continuously positioning the state among the economically viable states is a mission that this administration will pursue to a logical conclusion. The Governor Abiodun-led administration has done well in providing infrastructure across the nooks and crannies of the state. It is heart-warming that currently, there is no local government in the state that has not been touched by the government in terms of road construction, but according to the governor, there’s still room for improvement. With improvement in revenue collection, the governor is poised to continue his infrastructural revolution in the Gateway State. The Agbara-Lusada road and the Sango-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway are some of the projects that the governor has promised to complete during his second term in office. Also in the pipeline is the development of the Olokola Seaport and the Kajola Dry Port. The completion of these projects and many more will further enhance the industrialisation of the state.

To the credit of the Abiodun administration, the ease-of-doing-business index has been consistently high under its watch. This surely will continue as the state maximises its closeness to Lagos. With manufacturing concerns continuously choked in the city of Lagos, Ogun State offers a viable alternative for investors seeking to reap maximum benefits from their investment. The state is now poised to make more progress in various sectors. Governor Abiodun can now work on attracting local and foreign investments, improving infrastructure, promoting agriculture, enhancing healthcare and education, and creating job opportunities, all of which are crucial for the growth and prosperity of Ogun State. Indeed, he has been the state’s “salesman,” as he has been taking advantage of every opportunity to market the potential available in the state to local and foreign investors.

On Friday, January 19, the Supreme Court affirmed the victory of Governor Dapo Abiodun as the Ogun State governor. A five-member panel of the court led by Justice John Okoro held that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

The governor has promised that before the end of his tenure, the electricity outlay he is initiating will give stable power supply across the state. The completion of The Light Up Ogun State project will make the state one of the first set of states to take advantage of the constitutional reform in electricity generation and distribution. This, no doubt, is a great incentive to industries considering relocating or setting up in Ogun State.

Increasingly, more and more Lagos residents are taking the advantage of the closeness to Ogun State to register and renew their vehicles documents. This is a testament to the efficient way Ogun State conducts its affairs. It is also a plus to the growing ease of doing business in the state. Governor Abiodun has done well in the last four years and seven months. The Prince from Iperu will write his name in gold between now and 2027.

He has earned the peoples’ mandate and from observations, he intends to exercise it judiciously. The governor has always promised not to leave any part of the state out in his developmental strides. Citizens are right in having high expectations of his government: the last four years have led them to such expectations. The governor must therefore outperform himself between now and 2027.