By Wale Adeyemo_
In a brazen display of political hypocrisy, a recent article penned by one Kemi Kilani attempts to elevate Prince Dapo Abiodun while dragging the name of Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) through the mud. The piece, riddled with baseless accusations and selective amnesia, claims OGD’s tenure was marred by deception, violence, and unfulfilled promises, while portraying Abiodun as a beacon of honesty and progress. Yet, the irony is staggering: every flaw attributed to OGD is glaringly embodied by Abiodun himself. As the people of Ogun State deserve the truth, let us dismantle this propaganda and set the record straight on two leaders whose characters could not be more diametrically opposed, one a visionary builder, the other a figure plagued by scandals and underachievement.
To begin with, the article accuses OGD of “pathological lies” in policy formulation, contrasting him with Abiodun’s supposed “honesty in power.” This is laughable, considering Abiodun’s own history is steeped in deception and legal controversies. Abiodun’s tainted past dates back to 1986, when he was arrested and jailed in Miami-Dade, Florida, under the alias Shawn Michael Davids for credit card fraud, petty theft, check forgery, and assaulting a police officer during an attempt to resist arrest. His jail number was 8600B9436, and he even sought to redact these records in 2015 to conceal them during his political rise. This criminal history, confirmed by multiple sources including SaharaReporters and Peoples Gazette, directly contradicts any claim of unblemished integrity. Abiodun himself admitted to the U.S. arrest in 2022, warning his party not to disqualify him over it, hardly the mark of a “reference point for honesty.”
Compounding this are Abiodun’s academic qualification irregularities, which have sparked widespread scandals. In 2015, he claimed on INEC forms to have graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in 1986 and Kennesaw State University in 1989 with degrees in accounting. By 2019, he backtracked, declaring only a West African School Certificate from 1978, admitting he never completed his university education. Investigations revealed OAU has no record of his graduation, and a civil society group sued INEC, SSS, and APC recently over these fake academic records and lying under oath. Premium Times exposed this certificate scandal in 2018, nearly disqualifying him from the governorship race. A court narrowly upheld his candidacy in 2019, but the discrepancies persist as a stain on his credibility.
Abiodun’s scandals extend far beyond his early years, painting a picture of ongoing controversy up to 2026. In 2022, he was accused of concealing his criminal past from INEC, committing perjury that could have barred him from office. His administration has been dogged by allegations of diverting funds, including misleading reports on Ogun’s oil exploration in 2026, where he dismissed claims of misappropriation as “politically motivated” amid public outcry. The Awujale crisis in late 2025 to early 2026 saw petitions, disputes, and procedural irregularities, with critics accusing Abiodun of interference in traditional affairs.
In January 2026, activist Adetoun Onajobi faced six-count cyberbullying charges for online accusations against him, including references to his U.S. fraud conviction, charges widely seen as an attempt to silence dissent. Other issues include manufactured crises, and the suspension of OGD from APC in 2025 over anti-party activities, which the national APC later overturned, exposing Abiodun’s intolerance for inclusive governance. Even his appointees have faced forgery scandals, like a 2020 case where one admitted to faking credentials. These are not isolated incidents but a pattern of evasion, suppression, and self-preservation that undermines any narrative of clarity of purpose.
In stark contrast, OGD duly fulfilled his campaign promises during his 2003-2011 tenure, earning his reputation as the father of modern Ogun State. His Contract with the People blueprint was no empty rhetoric; it delivered transformative development across sectors. As governor, OGD established Nigeria’s first University of Education (now Tai Solarin University of Education), reducing fees at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic to ₦7,000 and bolstering Ogun’s status as a knowledge hub. He constructed roads in all 236 wards, including dualizing Abeokuta-Sagamu and Lalubu roads, and built the first flyover in the state with federal support. Recreational centers and stadiums rose in the three senatorial districts, culminating in the successful hosting of the 2006 Gateway Games,a national sports festival that put Ogun on the map.
OGD’s economic vision attracted massive investments through public-private partnerships, turning Ogun into West Africa’s business destination. He initiated three free trade zones: Ogun Guangdong in Igbesa, Olokola (OKFTZ) with its deep seaport, and Kajola in Ifo, drawing giants like Nestle, Dangote Cement, and Coleman Wires. The Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport, started under him in Ilishan-Remo, laid the foundation for what Abiodun later completed, yet OGD’s groundwork was essential. Electrification of major cities, youth entrepreneurship programs via the Nigerian Youth Council, and appointments of young leaders further empowered the grassroots. These achievements, lauded in sources like Wikipedia and The Guardian, fulfilled his pledges and elevated Ogun’s infrastructure, education, and economy in ways Abiodun has yet to match.
As a Senator representing Ogun East since 2023, OGD has continued his legacy, sponsoring 17 bills by 2025, far surpassing typical first-term output. Key among them is the South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2023, now law and operational. Others include the Federal College of Aviation in Ilara-Remo, Federal Medical Centre in Ijebu-Ode, Terminal Illness Trust Fund, and amendments to the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure. His 792-day scorecard in 2025 highlighted youth empowerment, community reviews, and infrastructure pushes. At 70 in 2026, celebrations underscored his enduring impact, from championing Ijebu-Remo State creation to bagging the Most Outstanding Senator award. These feats, documented in outlets like ThisDay and Vanguard, demonstrate OGD’s unwavering commitment, achievements, Abiodun’s tenure, marked by unfulfilled road promises (his “1600km” claim pales against OGD’s verifiable 6000km) and uneven development, simply cannot rival.
The article’s jab at OGD’s alleged “anarchical nature” and “violence” rings hollow when Abiodun’s era has seen journalist arrests (like Hammed Bashiru in 2022 for republishing Abiodun’s fraud story) and activist persecutions. OGD’s administration, while not perfect, prioritized stability and investor influx, making Ogun Nigeria’s industrial hub, a status Abiodun claims but inherits from OGD’s foundations. Moreover, OGD granted local governments financial autonomy during his tenure, allowing them to operate independently and deliver grassroots impact. Abiodun should follow suit: release overdue funds, implement full LG autonomy as per the 2024 Supreme Court ruling (which OGD supported), and empower councils to complement state efforts. Instead of meddling in party suspensions or fueling divisions, Abiodun must heed OGD’s example of inclusive governance.
Finally, while the article extols Abiodun’s “Omoluabi ethos” and “Ease of Doing Business” ranking, these are built on OGD’s legacies, not created anew. OGD lacks the desperation for power and money that critics attribute to Abiodun, with no scandals or fraud convictions in his record. Abiodun should focus on good governance, delivering tangible projects, transparency, and equity, rather than lavish owambes (parties) and character assassinations.
The difference between these two is indeed as vast as earth and heaven: OGD, the architect of progress; Abiodun, mired in controversy. Ogun State’s youth and elders must reject this revisionist nonsense and demand leaders who build, not betray.
Wale Adeyemo is a seasoned political analyst from Abeokuta.
