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Five days to the end of the year 2022, PLATFORM TIMES has compiled eight major political events that shook the political fabrics of Ogun state in 2022.
The data available to PLATFORM TIMES indicated that a criminal allegation against the state governor ,Dapo Abiodun in 2022 , the arrest of the speaker of the state house of assembly, Olakinle Oluomo by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ; the public declaration of support of former governor Ibikunle Amosun for the African Democratic Congress ,Biyi Otegbeye and the claim that Abiodun became the state governor through rigging in 2019 shook the political root of the state .
Other major events that heated up the polity in 2022 in the state included ; the death of the People Redemption Party governorship candidate in the state ,Prof. David Bamgbose ; the sack of Ladi Adebutu and Otegbeye as PDP and ADC governorship candidates by courts as well as the suspension of former deputy speaker and one other also shook the state politically
….Abiodun’s Alleged Fraud scandal In US
On March 25,2022, a report hinted that Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun Was jailed for credit card fraud In Florida, USA
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that both national and international newspapers reported the allegation which stated that Abiodun was arrested on November 7, 1986, for fighting and injuring a police officer in an attempt to resist arrest.
This news shook the political stage of the state and was almost cost Abiodun his second term ticket of the All Progressives Congress .
But, On April 27,2022 ,Abiodun cleared the air in the allegation ,describing the reports as false.
..Two Governorship Candidates Emerged After PDP Congress
On May 26,2022, two governorship candidates of the PDP emerged following the parallel congresses held in Abeokuta .
Both former House of Representatives member Ladi Adebutu and Segun Showunmi were announced as PDP Governorship candidates at parallel primaries
….Dapo rigged 2019 Election -Amosun
On August 6,2022, former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun, won the 2019 election through rigging.
Amosun also declared that he was not in support of Abiodun’s administration, saying the governor must be removed.
… Speaker Arrested By EFCC
On September 1, 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo at the Muritala Muhammad Airport, Lagos State.
PLATFORM TIMES had reported that Oluomo was arrested over allegations bordering on financial crimes.
This incident shook the state to its root when the news filtered into the town .
…. PRP Governorship Candidate Dies
On September 2, 2022, the State governorship candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party, Prof. David Bamgbose was pronounced dead, six days after he announced himself as the party’s candidate.
Bamgbose died at the Sacred Heart hospital, Lantoro, Abeokuta, after a brief illness, Friday morning.
Bamgbose’s death was confirmed by his personal assistant and Asst. Senior Pastor of Peace and Love Church, Mr Oduntan Olayemi.
This incident also shook the political fabric of the state as the development causes panic and threw the party into confusion .
…Former Deputy Speaker ,One Other Suspended
On September 13,2022, former Deputy Speaker of Ogun state house of assembly, Dare Kadiri was suspended alongside one other lawmaker, Solomon Osho from the House and its activities forthwith .
The suspension happened 17 months after Kadiri was impeached as Deputy Speaker .
Both Kadiri and Osho represent Ijebu North II State Constituency, and Solomon Osho respectively .
….Abiodun’s Aide Jailed By US Court
On September 27, 2022, the US Court jailed Abiodun’s former aide, Abidemi Rufai five years for fraud
Rufai, a 45-year-old, was arrested at JFK International Airport in New York on his way to Nigeria in May 2021 for stealing more than $500,000 in pandemic relief benefits from the United State government.
He pleaded guilty in court admitting that he used stolen identities to receive more than $350,000 in pandemic-related unemployment benefits from Washington state.
To worsen the political situation in the state, a news report was published accusing Abiodun of paying $50,000 to Rufai each time he introduced people to him, along with monthly salary of $2,000.
But, on December 4,2022 Abiodun said Bidemi Rufai did not bring any business concern to the state during his short stint as a special assistant to Governor Dapo Abiodun.
…. Court Sacks, Reinstates Adebutu, Others
September 27, 2022, a federal high court in Abeokuta , nullified the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, in Ogun State that produced Ladi Adebutu as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2023 general election.
The court ordered that the party should hold an all encompassing primary with the duly elected delegates.
But, on November 29,2022, the Appeal Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, reversed the judgment and reinstated Adebutu and others .
This development also shook the political fabrics of the state .
… Abiodun, Amosun Clash Over 2019 rigging Claims ,Others
October 15,2022 both former governor of the state, Ibikunle Amosun and Abiodun heated the polity as they traded words over the 2019 election.
Amosun, while receiving an award during the 50th anniversary of Abeokuta club had alleged that the election that brought in Abiodun was rigged.
But in his swift reaction, Abiodun described Amosun as being ‘delusional’, saying that his administration will not be distracted by the ‘ranting’ of the former governor.
…Court Sacks Otegbeye , Others
On November 25, 2022, a federal high court sitting in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, annulled the primary of the African Democratic Congress for the governorship candidate in the state, Biyi Otegbeye, and 26 Assembly candidates of the party.
The court said the ADC failed to adhere to the electoral law.
The Labour Party in the state had dragged the ADC candidates to court over alleged non-compliance to the Electoral Act in the conduct of the party’s primary.
Few days later, the All Progressives Congress also got a judgement sacking the ADC governorship candidate ahead if the 2023 election .
This move heated the polity of the state as the judgement threw the ADC and it’s supporters into disarray .
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