The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, today, submitted the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for his re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress to the party leadership in Abuja.
Governor Abiodun was accompanied by a very large crowd, which included members of his cabinet, party executives, traditional rulers, APC chieftains, political associates, Students and supporters, among others.
Yes, today, indeed, testified to Dapo Abiodun’s amiability as a person and acceptability as a political leader. He is a man of many parts. Governor Abiodun is so busy doing his job that he hardly has time to be political in the otherwise slippery political terrain of Nigeria.
Yes, he is a politician but, not that kind of dyed-in-the-wool politician. He is the master of soft power – that sheer ability not to use force or coercion for political gain when you can shape the dissidents or opposition’s long-term attitudes and preferences by tact and diplomacy.
What is even more extraordinary about him, he is accustomed to staying above the fray while steadily and silently putting in the works.
However, fondly called The Road Master, his unyielding commitment to building a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable society has separated him from the pack as he quickens his pace and doubles his efforts in all areas of the state’s life. From infrastructure to social welfare, security, agriculture and education, Governor Abiodun has raised the bar within three years.
Interestingly, the joke is often told in government circuits that at the State House in Oke Mosan,Abeokuta, governance is endlessly entangled with the dead hand of bureaucracy,which never did anything but bash brilliant ideas on the head.
While this may be true of the Ogun State civil service in previous era, the situation is remarkably different under the leadership of Governor Abiodun. Since he assumed office, the governor has introduced series of reforms geared to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve ease of doing business in the state.
Among other things, the executive governor of Ogun State flaunts a rare knack for turning dross to gold; has a thousand charms to show, and he internalises a great deal more hence his growing appeal across social and political circuits of the Gateway State. Deploying tact and soft language of the ancients, Abiodun ignites a cosmic-historical process of change in Ogun State.
Watching him from a distance is lifting; upclose, the governor exudes immeasurable depth and vision.
Seeing him actualise ihs blueprint of hope and progress in the state, even the sages are smitten.
