Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun Source: Twitter
The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said he might become a traditional ruler after leaving office.
Abiodun, who said that he is a prince from a royal family, hinted he might join the league of traditional rulers in the state.
The governor disclosed this on Wednesday while addressing traditional rulers at a meeting in Joga Orile, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The governor explained that he envies traditional rulers because their reign is till death.
Abiodun said the Ogun West monarchs, led by the Eselu of Iselu, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, had visited his office to inform him of their decision to endorse his second term ambition.
He said he had insisted that the endorsement be done within the domain of the monarchs, who tagged themselves “The Trusted Royals.”
“When the executive of The Trusted Royals muted the idea that they wanted to endorse me, I said let me come to your domain for the endorsement.
“You know that I’m also a prince. Maybe after I leave office, I will now go and sit down and think of how to go and carry my crown somewhere. So that I will be crowned an Oba in my retirement.
“We must always give you (Obas) the regards due to you. I, particularly, understand the roles of Obas in governance. You’re the closest to the grassroots. You’re the custodians of our varying reach culture and traditions. You’re the ones that feel the pulse of our citizens. You know them better than we do, and we must ensure that we continue to consult with you.
“We must accord you the importance and the relevance that your throne deserves.”
Abiodun said the governorship position though, exalted, does not confer on him the status of an emperor or a king that cannot be questioned.
He maintained that the governor is only the custodian of the powers vested in him by way of an election to allow him to govern over his people democratically.
“This office does not say I cannot be questioned. I am a servant leader; and I am tenured, unlike you. I’m very envious (of you), I’m tenured. Some of you have been on your thrones for years. I know Kabiyesi Awujale has been on the throne for over 60 years.
“I’ve promised to serve the people of Ogun State very diligently. I will be fair, I promise to be just, equitable and I promise that no part of this state will be developed at the expense of another part,” he stated.
Meanwhile, traditional rulers in Ogun West have appealed to Abiodun to execute what they called capital projects in their region as he had done in other zones of the state.
The Obas, under the aegis of The Trusted Royals, made the appeal while endorsing Abiodun’s second-term ambition.
The Obas, who are 45 selected ones out of the 57 monarchs currently in Ogun West, said they had seen the cargo airport in Iperu area of Ogun East and the water project going on in Ogun Central, urging Abiodun not to forget Ogun West in the distribution of his capital projects.
The Coordinator of The Trusted Royals and Eselu of Iselu, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, while speaking at the gathering, commended Abiodun for his efforts in reaching out to all the nooks and crannies of Ogun.
Akinyemi, however, requested for the completion of all ongoing projects in Ogun West, while begging Abiodun for a project that would put the region on a par with Ogun Central and Ogun East.
“Your Excellency, we have seen all the roads you are doing in Ogun West and I must commend you for that. But, I have a personal demand, the last time President Muhammadu Buhari came to Ogun State, he was in other zones, but not in Yewa, to commission capital projects.
“I have been to the cargo airport. Your Excellency, you have done extremely well. We are so proud of you. That’s a magnificent project. In Ogun Central, I have seen the multi-million dollar water project across the Abeokuta metropolis.
“Mr Governor, my only appeal today is that, give us a capital project in Ogun West; a project that would be a surprise to everybody that sees it. We are happy with you, and that’s why Obas from far and wide gathered here to receive you within just two days’ notice,” he said.