The Ogun State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Abayomi Tella, has dismissed the performance of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, insisting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has failed to meet the expectations of residents.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 fm, Ilese Ijebu, Ogun State, Tella said the PDP remained the viable alternative ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“It would be a mere wasting of time talking about the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun. Every individual in Ogun state tells you he did not do well. It’s as simple as that. And the alternative is PDP and we are coming on board,” he said.
The PDP chairman argued that the strength of any administration should be measured by its commitment to grassroots governance, insisting that effective governance begins at the local government level.
He maintained that successive governments after the PDP had failed to empower local councils, which he said had weakened service delivery and development across the state.
“Any government that does not make the local government administration work can never be a good government because every policy is local. The only government that did that in this state is PDP. Every other one that has come thereafter does not get it right.”
According to him, the PDP would restore local government autonomy if elected, claiming that improved grassroots governance would address a significant portion of the state’s developmental challenges.
“Once you stabilize the local government administration, in this present economy that we are at, everybody is crying everywhere. You have, honestly, I must tell you, talking from experience, you have stabilized 30% for the people of Ogun State,” he added.
Tella also faulted the Abiodun administration’s handling of education, healthcare and rural development, alleging that attention had been concentrated on projects within Abeokuta metropolis while rural communities were neglected.
“In the area of infrastructural development, I will score this government less than 20 percent. Education, to me, this government is zero. You see, one of the things that this government likes to do is to come into Abeokuta metropolis, paint a school, and showcase it with their yellow, yellow color. Whereas, Ogun State has more rural areas than urban. This government has failed completely in its responsibility to align with the rural dwellers and any government that fails in doing that, you can just rate them easily. They are far, far below average,” he said.
While acknowledging the completion of the Gateway International Airport, which he credited Governor Abiodun for finishing after it was initiated by former Governor Gbenga Daniel, Tella maintained that the current administration had performed below expectations in most other sectors.
“And that’s why I give credit to Otunba Gbenga Daniel for initiating the airport that we now have at Iperu. And I give it to Prince Dapo Abiodun for completing that…at least he completed that. That is the only area where I would call this government 40 percent. Every other place is less than 20. To me as a person, this government has performed below expectations, far from other governments that have come to be in Ogun state” he said.
The Ogun PDP chairman also pledged improved welfare for pensioners if his party returns to power, accusing the current administration of neglecting retired civil servants.
He said pensioners deserve prompt payment of their entitlements after years of service to the state, stressing that their welfare would be a priority under a PDP government.
“If the PDP government get into power today, like I told you earlier on, the people of Ogun State are our primary objective that we are going to face and our retiree who has given his best to the state must not suffer collecting his stipend. . Retirees during our tenure were close to us. The government is not going to owe them. Anybody who is doing that is just callous for no reasons,” he stated.
The PDP chairman contrasted the party’s previous administration with the current government, insisting that retirees enjoyed a better relationship with government while the PDP was in office. He promised that pensioners would once again receive priority attention if the party regains power in 2027.
According to him: “There is a clear difference between the PDP government in Ogun State and the government there now. Retirees during our tenure are close to us. We talk at all point in time, solve their problems, we do that every time. And I think most of them will acknowledge the fact that what I’m saying is true. What now happened immediately we left government was an eyesore that people cannot even believe but we assure them that by the time we return back to power in 2027, all of that will be a thing of the past by the grace of God”
Tella further promised that a PDP administration would not only ensure the prompt payment of pensions but also clear outstanding arrears owed to retirees.
He maintained that retired workers deserved dignity after years of service, noting that many had suffered unnecessarily while waiting for their entitlements.
“I want to assure retirees that we will not only continue to pay them as at when due, but we will clear out the backlog because we know that they are giving their best to this state and they deserve to live. And because of struggling and hustling to get their retirement benefits, some of them dies…and at the end of the day, they don’t even get to enjoy the pains of their labor that they have given to the state”
Tella also expressed confidence in the PDP’s chances in the 2027 governorship election, arguing that the party remained attractive to former members now in other political parties.
He claimed several prominent political figures, including Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Senator Gbenga Daniel, all had roots in the PDP, adding that the party had overcome its internal challenges and was united ahead of the polls.
He also argued that many were only remaining in their current political platforms because of the offices they presently occupy.
Even Mr. Governor today, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was a product of this party.Governor Amosun was a product of this party. Otunba Gbenga Daniel today, who is a senator under APC. He’s a product of this party. It’s easier for them to come back because they will have tasted the two houses. Some are hibernating there because of the position they are holding. Immediately that position goes off, they will come back.
Expressing confidence in the party’s prospects, Tella dismissed concerns over internal divisions within the PDP, insisting that the crisis at the national level had been resolved. He said the Ogun State chapter remained united and was fully prepared for the 2027 general election.
“Let me tell you, the 2027 election is going to be a heavy surprise. I’m not going to let the cat out of the bag but I’m going to assure you that PDP will close victory in the 2027 election in Ogun state. Well, the National Headquarter of the party, to the best of my knowledge today, is no longer in contest at all but from day one, Ogun state PDP under my leadership as remain one and we are focused ever since then. Today, we are united, we are ready for election 2027”.
