Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has declared its interest in running for a second term under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr. Abiodun made the statement in the Executive Council Chambers of his office in Oke-Mosan Abeokuta, when he received the nomination form purchased for him by a group, the Dapo Abiodun Mandate 2023.
He also immediately announced the re-election of his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, as his running mate.
The governor, who was surprised by the gesture, recounted the many trials he and his team had gone through in their quest to lead the state.
“This gesture touches my bones. It is like a balm that alleviates all the pain that we suffer in the course of our campaigns. I am particularly happy that this is coming from my home base,” she said.
The governor’s statement comes amid questions about his eligibility to run for another term. But an ally of the governor and former MP, Kayode Oladele, dismissed the petitions against the governor, calling them “frivolous and legally flawed.”
On Monday, the group had presented a N50 million check to the Governor to purchase the nomination and expression of interest forms.
The APC NEC at its meeting on April 20 set N50 million as the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for gubernatorial hopefuls.
2023: Governor Dapo Abiodun chooses the nomination form for Governor
Abiodun said they planned to go to Abuja to get the form before the group handed it over to him.
“I am happy that nobody urged you, you did it by your own will and the faith you have in us. I promise you that the trust you have in us will be consolidated,” said the governor.
“Today is a significant day in my life and by this gesture I officially declare my intention to run for the second term and in the same line I declare my deputy as a running mate.
“You are investing in management and I want to assure you that you will not regret it, as the only way I can reward you is with more superlative performance.”
He said his administration has made a significant impact on people’s lives and said the gesture would inspire him to do more.
“Over the last three years, I have kept my promises to make Ogun work for everyone. With your support, we have made this State (Ogun) a better place and have changed the face of our State. I didn’t do it alone; we did it together, because you believed.
“Our state has remained consistently prosperous thanks to your positive outlook. I urge you to always stay positive in your personal and community lives and continue to aspire to great things.”
Speaking earlier, the Governor’s Special Advisor on Political Affairs and leader of the group, Biyi Adeleye, said that the governor’s performance and the desire to see him complete his good deeds led to the purchase of the form.
“We taxed ourselves to raise funds for the form as a result of the confidence we have in the ability of our brother and chief, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to take the State to greater heights.”