Focus More on Governance, Less on Succession Politics, Gateway Publisher Charges Gov Abiodun

A political analyst and Publisher of Gateway Times Nigeria news magazine, Mr Dayo Rufai, has advised the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to dedicate more time to improving the lives of Ogun people than getting himself enmeshed in face-offs over a second term in office.

Rufai made the appeal in a press statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

According to Rufai, the open exchange of diatribes between Abiodun and some political gladiators in the state, if allowed to fester, would be of no value but only distract the governor from fulfilling the electoral promises he made to people of the state.

Rufai noted that in the recent weeks, the state has witnessed heated confrontation between Governor Abiodun and his immediate predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun as well as with the main opposition party in the state, the PDP.

“As the governor’s first term winds down, he should by now be evaluating his electoral achievements across the 20 local governments in the state and work on the aspects that have not been touched,” Rufai stated, adding that; “this is not the time for exchange of brickbats while the masses continue to bear the brunts. Certainly, there will be time to play politics, but the governor should use this period to channel his energy towards bettering the lots of Ogun electorates.”

“From insecurity due to recurring cult-related killings to the deplorable state of roads and rots in public schools, Governor Abiodun still has a lot to contend with.

As witnessed in the recent Osun governorship poll, it is now clear, beyond reasonable doubt, that no governor gets a second term on a gold platter. A word, they say, is enough for the wise,” he said.

Rufai affirmed that, though, Abiodun has done well in some sectors in the last three years and more, there are some areas still begging for his attention.

“Sir, please take your pen and paper and analyse the needs of people in each local government in the state and see if you have done enough to stand before the electorate and ask for another term,” Rufai submitted.