Inside the groundswell behind Abiodun’s Ogun East victory

WHEN the results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ogun East Senatorial District primary election were announced on May 18, 2026, the outcome was emphatic and politically instructive.

Prince Dapo Abiodun, outgoing Governor of Ogun State, secured 75,550 votes out of 99,503 ballots cast, winning across all nine local government areas of the district. His closest challenger, incumbent Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who withdrew on the eve of the election, polled 398 votes.

Beyond the overwhelming margin, the result reflected something deeper: a broad endorsement of Governor Abiodun’s record in office and his political standing within Ogun East.

For many within the APC, the primary was not merely about succession politics. It was a referendum on performance, infrastructure delivery, economic expansion and leadership continuity.

The question therefore is not simply why Prince Dapo Abiodun won the APC ticket—but why many party members believe he genuinely earned it.

A Businessman Turned Governor

Born on May 29, 1960, in Iperu-Remo, Prince Dapo Abiodun entered public office after years in business and corporate leadership.

A man of many parts, he built his private-sector career through Heyden Petroleum Limited and held leadership positions in financial and investment institutions, including First Marina Trust and the First Interstate Group.

Supporters often point to this business background as one of the defining influences on his governance style — one that prioritised infrastructure, investment attraction, industrialisation and fiscal expansion.

Upon assuming office in 2019, his administration unveiled the ISEYA development agenda — Infrastructure, Social Welfare, Education, Youth and Women Empowerment, and Agriculture — as the framework guiding governance in Ogun State.

Over the last seven years, that agenda has become closely associated with road construction, industrial growth, transport connectivity and economic reforms.

Infrastructure as a Defining Legacy

No aspect of the Abiodun administration is referenced more frequently than infrastructure development.

Since 2019, Ogun State has reportedly constructed or rehabilitated over 1,600 kilometres of roads connecting industrial corridors, rural communities and commercial centres.

Among the major projects executed are the Epe-Ijebu Ode Expressway, Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway, Sagamu-Iperu-Ode Remo-Sapade corridor, Ilishan-Iperu Road and the Ijebu-Ode-Epe dual carriageway.

Township roads across Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Odogbolu, Abeokuta, Ota and Ilaro also received extensive rehabilitation.

For Ogun East, many of these projects carried direct economic significance. Improved road networks strengthened access to markets, eased transportation challenges and enhanced connectivity between Ogun and Lagos.

Communities previously isolated by poor road infrastructure became more integrated into economic and social activities.

The Gateway International Airport Effect

Perhaps no single project defines the ambition of the Abiodun administration more than the Gateway International Airport located in Iperu-Ilishan within Ogun East Senatorial District.

Commissioned on April 4, 2026, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the airport immediately became one of the administration’s most symbolic legacy projects.

The commissioning ceremony attracted national political heavyweights, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and several governors.

For supporters of the governor, the airport represented far more than physical infrastructure. It symbolised Ogun State’s emergence as a strategic logistics and industrial hub.

Manufacturers and businesses around Sagamu, Ijebu-Ode and adjoining industrial corridors now possess a closer aviation gateway outside the congestion associated with Lagos routes.

The commissioning ceremony also featured the unveiling of Gateway Air, electric motorcycles, security vehicles and agricultural tractors — all reinforcing the administration’s broader development narrative.

President Tinubu publicly praised the governor’s leadership during the event.

“In less than seven years, you, Dapo Abiodun, have demonstrated commitment, vision and patriotism to grow Nigeria.”

Former President Obasanjo similarly described the airport as a landmark achievement in Ogun State’s history.

Importantly, the airport also fits into a broader transportation vision under the Abiodun administration — one that positioned Ogun among the few Nigerian states accessible through road, rail, air and water transportation systems.

Economic Growth and Industrial Expansion

Supporters of Governor Abiodun also point to the administration’s economic indicators.

Ogun State’s Internally Generated Revenue reportedly rose from ₦52 billion in 2020 to nearly ₦192 billion in 2024, with projections approaching ₦250 billion.

The state’s GDP was similarly said to have expanded from ₦2.9 trillion in 2021 to ₦7.3 trillion in 2024.

In 2025, Ogun reportedly attracted over 70 percent of Nigeria’s Foreign Direct Investment inflow, further consolidating its reputation as one of the country’s foremost industrial destinations.

Beyond statistics, the administration secured major investment commitments tied to industrial and logistics expansion.

In 2022, Ogun State signed a $400 million Memorandum of Understanding with Arise Integrated Industrial Platform for the Olokola Free Trade Zone and the Remo Agro Processing Zone.

African Industries Group pledged investments exceeding $500 million, while global manufacturing giant Foxconn reportedly expressed interest in establishing operations within the state.

The Kajola Dry Port initiative equally formed part of the administration’s broader logistics strategy aimed at complementing the airport and strengthening trade movement between Ogun and Nigeria’s seaports.

Social Programmes and Community Impact

While infrastructure dominated public discourse, the administration also implemented programmes targeting education, healthcare and community development.

The Women Development Centre in Ijebu-Ode was established to support entrepreneurship and vocational training for women.

The Eriwe initiative extended support to fishing and riverside communities within Ogun Waterside and adjoining areas.

Education reforms included the cancellation of school levies, introduction of the Ogun DigiClass programme and deployment of an Education Management Information System across local education authorities.

Healthcare infrastructure also received attention, with approximately 140 primary healthcare centres reportedly renovated statewide.

Traditional institutions within Ogun East publicly acknowledged aspects of the administration’s work.

The Ijebu Traditional Council, during the lifetime of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, commended the administration’s infrastructure projects, governance reforms and the Obas and Chiefs Laws of Ogun State 2021.

What the Primary Victory Truly Represented

The APC primary itself became one of the strongest political validations of Governor Abiodun’s standing within Ogun East.

Across Sagamu, Remo North, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun Waterside, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Ijebu North, Ijebu North East and Ikenne, the governor secured commanding victories.

Before the primary election, party leaders, lawmakers, councillors and local government chairmen openly endorsed his candidacy. The Ogun East APC Caucus also announced plans to collectively purchase his nomination form.

To supporters, these endorsements reflected broad political consensus around his candidacy rather than mere elite alignment.

Why Many Believe He Belongs in the Senate

Supporters of Prince Dapo Abiodun argue that his transition from Government House to the Senate would give Ogun East a more influential voice at the federal level.

First is executive experience. As governor, he supervised multi-billion-naira budgets, negotiated international investment agreements and coordinated projects requiring collaboration with federal institutions and foreign investors.

Second is political access. His relationship with President Tinubu’s administration is viewed within APC circles as capable of translating into greater federal attention for Ogun East projects and infrastructure priorities.

Third is continuity. Projects such as the Gateway International Airport, Kajola Dry Port, Olokola Free Trade Zone and industrial corridors within Ogun East may benefit from representation by someone already deeply familiar with their financing structures, implementation challenges and long-term economic objectives.

Supporters also believe his background positions him to contribute meaningfully to legislative discussions around industrial policy, infrastructure financing, regional development and investment promotion.

Beyond Politics, a Performance Argument

Prince Dapo Abiodun’s victory in the APC Ogun East senatorial primary was not merely a routine political exercise.

For many within the party, it was an endorsement of seven years defined by road construction, economic expansion, industrial growth, investment attraction and strategic infrastructure development.

Across Ogun East, supporters point to roads rehabilitated, healthcare centres upgraded, industries attracted and an international airport commissioned within the district itself.

Ultimately, the 2027 general election will determine whether the wider electorate shares that assessment.

But within the APC, the message from the primary was unmistakable: many party members believe Prince Dapo Abiodun earned the ticket through performance, political influence and visible developmental impact delivered during his years in office.

Akinmade is Special Adviser, Information and Strategy to Ogun State Governor.