The political atmosphere in Ogun State has once again been thrown into controversy as revelations continue to trail the alleged ritual oath-taking exercise involving more than 1,200 ward excos across the 20 local governments. The scandal, tied directly to Governor Dapo Abiodun, has been widely condemned as a shameful descent into bitter politics and a disturbing reminder of how desperation has eaten deep into Nigeria’s democratic process.
A few weeks ago, video evidence surfaced online showing government-backed loyalists being subjected to a strange oath-taking ritual. These were no ordinary party faithful. They were carefully handpicked members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ward executives, five from each of the 236 wards of Ogun State. According to reports, the officials were compelled to swear undying loyalty to Governor Dapo Abiodun in exchange for cash inducements ranging between N50,000 and N100,000.
Those who refused to partake in the ritual were allegedly threatened with removal from their party leadership positions. Shortly afterward, the Abiodun administration announced with pomp and fanfare the appointment of these same individuals as “Political Assistants.” Critics have since dismissed the move as not only laughable but also a deliberate attempt to manipulate party structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political observers argue that the governor’s real aim is to build a parallel army of puppets who will serve as delegates during APC primaries, thereby tightening his grip on the party and positioning himself as a power broker before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The move, they say, is designed to frustrate the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (popularly known as Yayi) and pave the way for Abiodun’s preferred successor.
But the strategy has been met with fierce criticism. “These oath-takers are of no political value,” said a party insider. “Everyone knows they were bought and manipulated. They cannot mobilize the grassroots because the people understand the sham behind their appointments. Even the N50,000 that was shared cannot sustain their families, much less a political structure.”
For many residents of Ogun State, the development is a clear reflection of a governor who has abandoned governance in exchange for raw politicking. After more than six years in office, critics insist that Prince Dapo Abiodun has failed to deliver on meaningful infrastructure, industrial growth, or people-centered policies. Instead, his energies appear to be invested in political survival schemes that weaponize poverty and exploit the vulnerabilities of his party members.
The oath-taking scandal, however, is not new to Abiodun’s style of politics. In the run-up to the 2023 general elections, he similarly rolled out hundreds of political appointments in reaction to the APC’s shocking defeat in neighboring Osun State. Once the elections were over, many of those appointees were quietly discarded — a pattern that suggests the latest set of political assistants may also be thrown aside after serving their purpose in the primaries.
Analysts say the implications for the APC are grave. The governor’s reliance on rituals and coercion instead of genuine political engagement undermines the party’s credibility and could deepen divisions ahead of critical contests. Beyond that, it leaves Ogun residents in despair, watching a government more interested in political chess games than in solving the daily challenges of hunger, unemployment, and insecurity.
As one civil rights activist bluntly put it: “The oath-takers swore to serve Dapo Abiodun, but Dapo Abiodun did not swear to serve them. That alone shows they are disposable tools in a selfish political project. Ogun people deserve better.”
For many, the unfolding saga has not only exposed Governor Abiodun’s political weakness but also confirmed fears that Ogun State is being run on a foundation of desperation and incompetence. In a democracy that should be built on trust, transparency, and service, the notion of ritual oaths being used to secure loyalty is nothing short of an indictment.
And while the governor continues to celebrate his so-called army of political assistants, residents of Ogun State are left wondering how long their state will be held hostage by bitter politicking and failed leadership.
As Ogun inches toward another electoral cycle, the stakes have never been higher. If politics continues to be driven by oaths, threats, and inducements rather than ideas, service, and trust, the state risks sliding into deeper instability.
For a people renowned for their rich history of intellectualism, commerce, and innovation, it is tragic to be saddled with a leadership more interested in ritual loyalty than real progress. Unless Governor Abiodun abandons his obsession with power games and turns to genuine governance, Ogun’s democratic future may remain in peril, held hostage by the very incompetence and bitter politicking that now define his reign.
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