Daud Olatunji
Former leaders of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Ogun State have expressed their deep disappointment in Governor Dapo Abiodun, accusing him of abandoning them after securing re-election.
Rising from an emergency meeting held in Abeokuta on Wednesday, the group called out the governor for failing to deliver on key promises made during his second-term campaign.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Samson Okusanya, the former IPAC Chairman and leader of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), described Governor Abiodun as a “used and dumped” politician.
Okusanya detailed the unfulfilled promises made by the governor to political allies, including the provision of housing, key appointments, financial subvention, and palliatives for grassroots communities.
“We mobilized for him at great personal and political cost,” Okusanya explained.
“We have documentation to prove our efforts, including our involvement in court cases, engagements with the EFCC, and visits to Abuja to defend his candidacy.
However, since his victory, these promises remain largely unfulfilled.”
Among the promises, the IPAC secretariat was delivered, but other key commitments—such as appointments to senior government positions, including that of Senior Special Assistant on Inter-Party Affairs—have not been realized.
The group expressed particular frustration over the absence of financial support and grassroots palliatives.
“There has been no compensation for those who truly fought the battle for his re-election,” Okusanya lamented.
He claimed that individuals who worked tirelessly for Governor Abiodun’s campaign have since been sidelined, with new political allies taking center stage in the administration.
The meeting was attended by several notable former IPAC executives, including Michael Oluseyi Ashade (Labour Party), Alhaji Moshood Adesina (Action People’s Party), Prince Adebisi Wale (Accord Party), Alhaji Ramoni Lasisi (Boot Party), Evangelist Abraham Adeshina (National Rescue Movement), and Wale Akinsanya (Young Progressives Party).
All these former leaders echoed Okusanya’s sentiments, expressing their dissatisfaction with how Governor Abiodun has treated those who helped him secure his re-election.
Okusanya further detailed the consequences faced by many state party chairmen due to their support for Governor Abiodun.
According to him, many were suspended or outrightly removed from their leadership positions within their respective parties as a result of their alliance with the governor.
“Many of us faced persecution within our own parties because of our support for the governor. Despite our sacrifices, the governor has not seen fit to reward us,” Okusanya stated.
In his remarks, Okusanya criticized Governor Abiodun for shifting his focus to new political allies who did not participate in the original struggle.
“The new beneficiaries are those who were not part of the fight. They are enjoying the fruits of our labour while we are left with nothing,” he said.
The group did not hold back in issuing a stern warning to the governor, urging him to fulfill the promises made prior to the election.
Okusanya vowed that they would not remain silent and intended to make their grievances known to the public.
“We want the world to know that Governor Abiodun is a ‘use and dump’ politician.
He made promises to us, and now, after achieving his political goals, he has abandoned those who fought for him,” he declared.
When asked about their next steps, Okusanya hinted at escalating protests if the governor continues to ignore their demands.
A letter dated October 11, 2023, addressed to Governor Abiodun and obtained by PLATFORM TIMES, revealed that the governor’s office had acknowledged receipt of the IPAC leaders’ demands.
The letter, which was sent through the Secretary to the State Government, congratulated Governor Abiodun on his victory at the Election Petition Tribunal and reminded him of the commitments made to the IPAC executives.
However, despite this formal communication, the former IPAC leaders claim that no significant action has been taken to address their concerns.
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