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Amosun: The Beginning Of An Inglorious End
By Dayo Amusan
It is a common prayer that “our latter days should be better than our former”.
Otherwise, how best would one describe the recent faulty, disastrous and crazy happenings dotting the paths of Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun(SIA) in the twists light of his exit from power.
The popular maxim of “nothing lasts forever” is the best syndrome to describe the power-broke of the Governor’s resistance to accept defeat at the just concluded APC governorship primaries.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had declared Prince Dapo Abiodun as the winner of the party’s governorship primary in the State.
Dapo Abiodun triumphed above other five contestants in the party, namely; Jimi Lawal, Bimbo Ashiru, Abayomi Hunye, Gbenga Kaka and Adekunle Akinlade with varying degrees of scores.
Governor Amosun has since refused to accept the candidature of Dapo Abiodun as Ogun APC governorship candidate but rather remained adamant that his preferred candidate, Adekunle Akinlade who had earlier emerged as the party’s governorship candidate through a highly compromised selection process by the governor and his state APC Exco, should by all means be accepted by the NWC of APC.
Since then, the power-drunk Governor has continued to dig deep into abysmal trenches like King Saul in the Bible.
But the Governor had soon forgotten that power is transient and does not last forever.
The Governor made a tactical error in trying to impose his consensus candidates on the entirety of the Party’s stakeholders without their proper buy-in.
The level of arrogance, self centeredness, maneuvering, posturing, deceit and raw power display that went into the whole charade from the on set, were all pointers to a failure.
How can an outgoing governor unilaterally selected the governorship candidate of his party and all the 40 National and State Assemblies members without giving a waiver for party leaders in the State? It beats all reasonable justification.
Ogun State is so sophisticated in composition for an individual wanting to lord it over the people.
Of course, it is in the public knowledge that the governor’s desperate effort to install his stooge as his successor was to cover his tracks of series of financial frauds and economic sabotage dotting his almost eight years’ administration.
The heavy indebtedness of “Emperor” Amosun’s administration to the detriment of the State’s future, running into N500Billion in a pace of seven and half years, is enough for the governor to ‘by-fire-by-force’ wanting to implant a makeshift as governor.
The wrestle of power by the governor with the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, is a pointer to the fact that Mr. Governor is preparing ground for an inglorious end.
The Governor’s insistence to handover power to Yewa/Awori man come 2019 is commendable, but that cannot be single-handedly determined by him, but with collective decision of all party’s stakeholders and such candidate must be widely accepted by the generality of the people across the zones.
No man is supreme or higher than the party’s constitution and leadership, but unfortunately in this case, Governor Amosun is also a candidate who is trying to install another candidate as the party’s governorship candidate.
As if that was not enough, the Governor wasted yet another state resources to broadcast live a charade called National Assembly primary of the party which was reportedly marred with violence and threat to life of dissent groups within the party.
Dapo Abiodun’s candidacy has been ratified and validated by the NWC of APC. What the governor should start perfecting is how to redeem his battered image and his political career after leaving office as governor.
Surprisingly, the governor was quoted to have threatened to quit the party if his preferred candidate was not adopted.
In fact, his foot soldiers and the supporters of his stooge, took to the social media to announce their botched defection plans to another party, variously; Accord Party and ADC Party.
But a top source from the Party’s National secretariat disclosed that the veil threat to expose the governor’s shady deals and his involvement in Kemi Adeosun’s NYSC scandal, instilled some senses in the recalcitrant Governor.
It was the threat by the National leaders of the party that, instigated the Governor to retract his decision and still stays in the party.
But still not satisfied with the resolutions of the matter, the Governor recently caused his political aides to institute a court case against the leadership of the Party and the accepted governorship candidate, Dapo
Abiodun, working round a theory of stalling the process of installing an APC governorship candidate in the State in 2019 general elections.
He will need to hire a high profile PR stunt to save his head on some unmitigated allegations leveled against him by some party echelons.
These allegations which will, sooner than later, expose his weaknesses include; the flukes in his infrastructure renewal that was sectionalised and highly inflated, his greed in wealth acquisition across the State, his underhand and failed corrupt dealings with multi nationals investing in the State, particularly the loss of the Dangote’s multi billion dollars Petro-chemical refinery investment to Lagos State.
Other disturbing allegations hinted by the sources are his alleged money laundry venture to the Asian circles, the failed Model schools’ projects across the State, and the wooping sums expended so far in desperate moves to implant a puppet with a view to cover his tracks.
The sources in the known said already an indicting petition on series of financial frauds and economic sabotage dotting his almost 8 years administration of the Governor has already been prepared for submission to EFCC.
From the various accounts stitched together from knowledgeable sources, the attempt to demystify Governor Amosun’s power intransigence will begin to manifest in the weeks ahead, signalling the beginning of his end and lost of relevance with the powers-that- be.
Dayo Amusan (DA) writes from Sagamu
Fellow Nigerians, and friends of Nigeria abroad,
They said the APC was not popular with the people. They said its strength was only in government houses, not in the marketplace, not in the villages, not in the hearts of men and women who rise each day to labor under the hot sun. Yet the people have now spoken, and their voice is louder than the rumors of social media, stronger than the whispers of drawing rooms.
In the bye-elections of this past weekend, sixteen seats were set before the people. Out of these, the APC took eleven, stretching across Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Taraba, Ogun, Kogi, Edo, Adamawa, and Niger. One more stands in contest, and there too the APC leads.
APGA secured two seats in Anambra. The PDP held one in Oyo. The NNPP claimed one in Kano. But the others—ADC, SDP, Labour—were nowhere to be found. Not a single seat fell their way.
So I ask: how do you define popularity? By the clamor on Facebook? By the trend on Instagram? By the fury of TikTok or the storms of X? No. Popularity in a democracy is measured by ballots cast, by hands inked, by real people walking to the polls to say with their vote: this is who we trust.
In America, they speak of midterm elections, a verdict passed halfway through a presidency. There, such elections measure the strength of the president and the staying power of his party. Nigeria has no midterm Congress. But these bye-elections, spread across thirteen states and five geopolitical zones, are our closest equivalent. And their meaning cannot be ignored.
Many thought the ADC, older in years than the APC, would rise with its new converts and prove itself a rival. Many thought the PDP would mount a strong wave. But the verdict of the ballot tells a different story. The PDP lives, but it fights to hold ground. The ADC, SDP, and Labour remain shadows, not yet substance. The NNPP, for all its color, remains a Kano river, not a national sea.
The APC, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has not only stood but has been endorsed. For all the cries, for all the bitter words against his reforms, the people have answered with their votes: they are willing to endure the hard medicine if it promises a better tomorrow.
What then is the road ahead? It is clear. The APC stands as the party to beat in 2027. The opposition must gather itself, must bind its wounds, must cease from fighting in fragments if it wishes to rise as a true alternative.
But for now, let it be recorded in the annals of our young democracy: that on the 16th of August, 2025, the Nigerian people spoke with ballots, not hashtags; with votes, not noise; with courage, not despair. And their verdict was plain.
The APC is not a party of rumor, but a party of the people.
The Lagos State Government, in its continued effort to promote cultural heritage and deepen tourism footprints, has concluded plans to host the Lagos Cultural Weekend.
A three-day cultural extravaganza, scheduled to take place across multiple strategic locations, including the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Freedom Park, National Theatre, Badagry Heritage Museum, Lekki Arts and Crafts Market, and Tafawa Balewa Square, from November 14th to November 16th, 2025.
This weekend-long celebration will spotlight the richness of Nigeria’s traditions through curated events that blend history, culture, and local artistry.
Speaking on the initiative, Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, noted that the event is a key part of a broader framework of the Lagos Cultural Mission.
“We aim to use the Lagos Cultural Weekend as a true reflection of Lagos culture, a herescope for tourists and visitors from across the globe to witness just how rich our culture is.
“The three days will be a cultural baptism, a deep, meaningful introduction to who we are. As a government, we now understand prioritising cultural representation as a driver for economic growth.
”On the initiative’s impact, the Special Adviser explained that it goes beyond showcasing culture, but investing in cultural artisans, talented enthusiasts, and key stakeholders to foster real engagement and growth.“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration values collaboration and inclusiveness, which is why we want to work closely with Lagosians who truly understand our culture to help us achieve these goals.
“From the historians, to creatives, curators, artisans, culinary experts, performers, fashion designers, community leaders, and traditional institutions, we need them to join us in making a lasting impact.“So that, in the end, our guests and friends from many nations will carry home an authentic story of Lagos and enriched cultural literacy,” Mr. Aregbe said.
Attendees will enjoy array of activities, including live music performances, DIY sessions, contemporary art exhibitions, traditional dance showcases, fashion shows, culinary tastings, and craft demonstrations.
Also lined up are symposiums and cultural lectures designed for tourists and enthusiasts who wish to dive deeper into the Lagos cultural identity.
The weekend will be animated by diverse local performance groups representing the rich ethnic landscape of Lagos, with a special emphasis on language, literature, and indigenous storytelling.
Lagos Cultural Weekend 2025 reaffirms the state’s commitment to building a thriving creative economy while celebrating the depth of Nigerian traditions.
Through strategic partnerships, corporate sponsorships, and community engagement, this initiative will set a new benchmark for inclusive cultural programming in Lagos and Africa at large.
Lagos Cultural Mission….Preserving Our Heritage, Advancing The Future
Aare Adetola Emmanuel King Congratulates Hon. Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji on Election Victory
The Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, Sir Aare Adetola Emmanuel King KOF, has congratulated Hon. Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji on her resounding victory in the just-concluded by-election for the Remo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.
In a goodwill message issued by him, he described the victory as “a historic moment for the Remo people, coming at a time when the constituency yearns for a leader with vision, courage, and genuine commitment to service.”
He noted that the outcome of the election was an attestation to the trust and confidence reposed in Hon. Ayoola-Elegbeji by the people, adding that her sterling qualities, integrity, accessibility, and compassion for the grassroots had endeared her to the electorate.
“The overwhelming support you garnered at the polls is proof that you are the right voice at the right time to carry the aspirations of Remo to the national stage,” he stated.
While acknowledging that the by-election followed the painful demise of the late Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga (Ijaya), Aare Adetola Emmanuel King said Hon. Ayoola-Elegbeji’s emergence symbolizes the continuity of purposeful representation. He expressed confidence that she would not only sustain the legacy of her predecessor but also surpass it with new energy, innovative ideas, and progressive leadership.
The Adron Group Chairman further prayed for divine wisdom, strength, and compassion for the Member-Elect as she assumes office, expressing confidence that her tenure will usher in meaningful development, economic empowerment, and greater opportunities for the people of Remo Federal Constituency.
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