Daud Olatunji
A wave of outrage has trailed comments by an aide to the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who dismissed the presence of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, triggering a flurry of reactions from residents and political supporters across social media.
The governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Emmanuel Ojo, had stirred controversy after declaring, “Stop wasting your time; there is nothing like PDP in Ogun State,” while reacting to the emergence of Alhaja Dr. Lateefat Oyeyemi Sowunmi Kolapo as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
However, the statement has been met with sharp criticism, mockery, and counter-claims from Nigerians, particularly Ogun residents, many of whom accused the aide of political arrogance and disconnection from grassroots realities.
An education consultant, John Donaldson, questioned Ojo’s authority to determine which parties would appear on the ballot.
“I don’t know when SF Ojo joined INEC to have known the parties that will be on ballot for the next election. In case he sees PDP on the ballot, he should take eraser and clean it,” he said.
A PDP supporter, Ade Abodunrin Siwoniku, mocked the aide, suggesting the ruling party was unsettled by opposition strength.
“Lolz😂 You can’t feel am like that 😂 Nah your Ọga feel am😏 Ask your ọga about the last election, he will tell you more🤪,” he wrote.
Another respondent, Akinss Amo, who identified as self-employed, lashed out bluntly: “Mad man is talking…. See APC will only win if them rigged but for free and fair elections in Ogun State APC ma lule gbooo.”
A banker, Prince Dada Adeyemi, threw his weight behind PDP’s governorship hopeful, saying, “In your dream abi Ladi Adebutu is our choice.”
Similarly, Otunba Adetokunbo Oguntade, an oil and gas executive, warned of political backlash against the ruling party.
“A lot of Ogun State APC Egbekegbe supporters and leaders will drink sniper in 2027 if their (Danku Aketan) loose woefully. Lado will retire all of them. APC Egbe Buruku, Egbe Muje Muje…,” he said.
Other reactions ranged from dismissive to critical. Muhammad Yasir wrote, “Make he dey play, hin eye will soon clear,” while Oyewole Oyetayo, a private company supervisor, urged restraint, saying, “What’s your own Mr SSA…let everybody mind their business…. there’s PDP there are other parties….”
A contractor, Kenny Kay, also faulted the aide’s comment: “Stop saying what you don’t know, ask from your oga he feel the last election same this coming one.”
Sakitu Abolaji Olaleye, a trader, insisted the PDP remained a force in the state.
“You never know, who know too much go kpai, PDP is still alive in Ogun State and Hon ‘Lado’ is the main man for the governorship job,” he said.
In a more critical tone, Akinoka Oluwaseun Nathaniel described the aide as “a hungry blogger clothed with appointment,” adding that his comment did not come as a surprise.
From Abeokuta, Akintimehin Oluwakemi simply remarked, “Maid to Omo Ekiti, we shall all see, set awon rara.”
Interestingly, not all reactions opposed the aide’s stance. Olemilekan Omo Ajiri, a manager, partly agreed, saying, “He actually said the truth there is no PDP in Ogun State but there has been one household name… and that household name is Adebutu.”
However, concerns about Nigeria’s democracy also surfaced. Fashion designer Idowu Ganiyu warned against what he described as creeping political dominance.
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