A former military officer and prominent Ogun APC stakeholder, RTD General Olumuyiwa Okunowo, on Tuesday launched a sweeping and blistering criticism of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, declaring that the people of Ijebuland must “choose dignity over political intimidation.”
Speaking during the BATOGD Mega Empowerment Programme held in Ijebu-Ode on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, the retired General accused the Abiodun administration of alleged neglect, political betrayal, elitist governance, abandonment of grassroots structures, and deepening division within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Addressing party faithful, stakeholders, youths, women groups, and supporters across Ogun East, Okunowo said the growing debate surrounding Governor Abiodun’s alleged senatorial ambition had gone beyond ordinary politics and had become “a referendum on betrayal, arrogance, neglect, and the dangerous weaponization of power.”
According to him, the people of Ogun East must decide whether the Senate should become “a rehabilitation centre for controversial politicians” or remain a platform reserved for leaders with credibility, humility, and grassroots acceptance.
“There comes a time when silence becomes cowardice and hospitality becomes self-destruction. For the people of Ijebuland, that moment is now,” Okunowo declared.
The retired General alleged that many residents of Ogun East were increasingly dissatisfied with the current administration due to what he described as years of political bitterness, alleged neglect of infrastructure, and disconnection from ordinary citizens.
He specifically mentioned the condition of several public institutions and projects across Ogun East, including General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode, General Hospital Ibiade, General Hospital Ijebu-Igbo, Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, and Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic in Ijebu-Igbo.
“What is the condition of General Hospital, Ijebu-Ode? What is happening to General Hospital, Ibiade? What has happened to Dipo Dina Stadium? These are not opposition questions. These are questions from suffering citizens,” he said.
Okunowo further alleged that several APC loyalists and party leaders who worked for the party’s electoral victories had allegedly been sidelined and politically weakened after the governor secured power.
He said many party faithful now privately admit that the administration has left “deep wounds” within the APC structure in Ogun State.
According to him, one of the recurring allegations against the governor was that “loyalty is rewarded with abandonment.”
The retired General also described the alleged Senate ambition of Governor Abiodun as a calculated attempt to preserve political relevance after office.
“But let me say this clearly today: The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not a rehabilitation centre for controversial politicians. Ogun East must never become a dumping ground for exhausted political empires searching for soft landings after office,” he stated.
In one of the strongest moments of his speech, Okunowo declared that “Ijebuland is not for sale,” insisting that the Ijebu people were historically known for integrity, enterprise, education, and political consciousness.
He maintained that no amount of “money politics, inducement, empowerment programmes, or emergency stakeholder meetings” could erase years of disappointment and alleged neglect.
“Yes, there may be a few unscrupulous individuals with questionable loyalties and dual identities attempting to distort reality for personal gain, but they do not represent the conscience of the Ijebu nation,” he added.
Okunowo further questioned the governor’s alleged silence on the agitation for the creation of Ijebu State or Ijebu-Remo State.
He asked Governor Abiodun to openly declare his commitment to the actualization of Ijebu State, warning that continued silence was fueling suspicion across the region.
“There are even disturbing allegations circulating within political circles that huge sums of money were allegedly deployed to frustrate certain interests connected to the state creation struggle. Whether true or false, silence from government only increases distrust,” he alleged.
The retired General also referenced unresolved concerns surrounding the governor’s relationship with the late Awujale of Ijebuland, stating that many loyalists had deliberately avoided discussing such issues out of respect for the traditional institution.
“But political arrogance has a dangerous way of reopening buried wounds,” he said.
Okunowo, however, openly declared support for “Obalofin,” whom he described as a symbol of consistency, tested leadership, loyalty, and grassroots connection across Ogun East.
According to him, the people of Ogun East would not abandon their own son for what he called “political opportunism.”
He warned that any alleged attempt to manipulate or hijack the APC primary election process could trigger massive resistance within the party structure and potentially redefine Ogun politics for years to come.
The retired General also accused the current administration of allegedly promoting elite favoritism while distancing itself from grassroots realities.
He warned that allowing leaders accused of neglecting structures, dividing loyalists, and weakening party cohesion to secure automatic promotion to the Senate would send dangerous signals to younger politicians.
“What lesson are we teaching the next generation? That power has no consequences? That performance no longer matters? That propaganda is now more important than public trust?” he queried.
Okunowo maintained that his criticism was not driven by hatred or tribal sentiment but by accountability and political memory.
“Nobody is denying anybody the constitutional right to contest elections. But the people also possess the democratic right to reject what they no longer believe in,” he said.
He concluded by declaring that the coming political battle in Ogun East may ultimately become “a defining struggle for the political soul of Ijebuland itself.”
