….they are illegal, irritant body, trades on propaganda, blackmail – Oladunjoye
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Secretary to the State Government, and Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, of orchestrating threats against its executive members.
CUPP stated this on Wednesday, during a press conference held in Abeokuta, claiming that its demands for transparency in the Ogun State government’s housing projects had sparked intimidation tactics, including calls for its members to appear before the Department of State Services (DSS) under conflicting pretenses.
The coalition had last week gave the state government a Seven-Day ultimatum to disclose the beneficiaries of its housing scheme and contracts since it’s inception.
The coalition had pointed to alleged irregularities in the state’s housing project awards, which it claims were executed without open bidding or adherence to due process.
It also demanded the Ogun State government release information about these projects under the Freedom of Information Act.
Speaking on Wednesday during the press conference, the state Chairman of CUPP, Otunba (Dr) Femi Sholuade said the ultimatum has lapsed, threatening that the coalition would head to court .
CUPP Chairman alongside the Secretary, Engr. Samson Okusanya, highlighted the imminent threats against members such as Alhaji Moshood Adesina, Comrade Ashade Michael, and Chief Sola Coker.
“We have been trailed by vehicles with covered plates and intimidated by road union leaders allegedly loyal to the governor. These developments point to an orchestrated effort to silence our voices,” the statement reads.
“The lives of CUPP members, including myself, Engr. Samson Okusanya, Alh. Moshood Adesina, Comrade Ashade Michael, and Chief Sola Coker, are under imminent threat due to our demand for transparency and accountability in the Ogun State government’s housing projects.
“These projects, awarded to construction companies without open bidding and due process, have raised concerns about governance and the misuse of state resources.
“These threats have escalated to include intimidation by officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ogun State.
“On January 20, 2025, a DSS officer by the name of Emmanuel Abua called Alh. Moshood Adesina, informing him that all CUPP officers must report on January 24, 2025, for a routine interaction with the Ogun State DSS Director.
However, on January 21, 2025, another DSS official, Kunle Dealer, contacted me, as the State Chairman of CUPP, directing all CUPP officers involved in a recent press conference to report to the DSS office, based on a petition from the Ogun State government.
“The conflicting messages from the same organization raise suspicions that Governor Dapo Abiodun is targeting us with the intention to harm our lives and those of our families.
“We now live in constant fear of potential assassination, especially given the involvement of powerful and ruthless road union leaders loyal to the Governor, who are capable of carrying out violent orders.”
CUPP further expressed concerns about the dominance of Ogun East in the state’s administration, sidelining other regions, particularly Ogun Central, from key developmental initiatives.
It also condemned the appointment of an Ondo State indigene as the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Media, describing it as an affront to Ogun State professionals.
“Instead of addressing these issues, the governor has chosen to target us through threats and harassment,” the coalition added.
The statement also touched on internal All Progressives Congress (APC) disputes, distancing itself from party infighting while reiterating its commitment to public accountability.
It warned that any harm to its members would be attributed directly to Governor Abiodun and his administration.
CUPP called on President Tinubu to intervene urgently, emphasizing its resolve to uphold transparency despite the alleged witch-hunt.
Reacting, the State Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress, Tunde Oladunjoye described the Ogun CUPP as an illegal, irritant body that trades on propaganda, blackmail
“The integral principle of natural justice resides in the maxim: “He who calls for equity must come with clean hands”.
“The case of so-called Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) in Ogun State is pathetic, as it is laughable; it is a confirmation of a group’s agitation spurred by pecuniary gains.
“For clarity, CUPP is simply the union of deregistered political parties in Ogun State, who were sent out of the political space by the electoral umpire as a result of their redundancy, unpopularity, inaction and rejection in the political environment.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) considered this group of political jobbers as dangerous parasites in the political climate, hence, their ignominious exit from political environment to entrench sanity in the system.
The recent virtuperations of the illegal association called CUPP in Ogun State about Governor Dapo Abiodun and other senior officials in his government is practically an aberration, considering the antecedents of those individuals that constitute the illegal group.
Without mincing words, the society must be very wary of these individuals who are perpetually jobless as well as covetous; they are serious threat to decency and seriousness in the political arena.
These individuals need to be educated that Prince Dapo Abiodun is beyond a personality that can be blackmailed into submission; thinking the Governor can be emasculated to dole out cash to help their terrible economic conditions.
As far as Ogun State and the Government of Prince Dapo Abiodun is concerned, the State is geometrically on the path of development and sustained growth with remarkable projects of indelible legacies.
On a final note, the crop of elements in CUPP must immediately refrain from their illegal activities and get engaged in productive activities rather than their present nude dance at the market square.
