Former Ogun State governor Olusegun Osoba has dismissed suggestions of a godfather-godson relationship between him and Governor Dapo Abiodun, saying their relationship is based on mutual respect and non-interference.
Speaking in an interview on Sunday, Mr Osoba, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, said the harmony between him and the current administration stems from his decision not to influence appointments or interfere in governance.
“I must confess to you on the word ‘harmony,’ it is because I have refused to interfere with his government in any way. I have never, and I repeat, never, suggested to him that anyone should be placed in a particular office. I have never put pressure on him to favour anybody for any position,” he said.
Osoba said both leaders understand their roles and responsibilities, adding that he recognises Governor Abiodun as the chief executive of the state and receives the same regard in return.
“His leadership, his confidence, his mind and his base are built on mutual respect for each other. I respect him as the Chief Executive Officer of the state. I give him that respect and he reciprocates it. That is why you find that harmony,” he added.
On succession and governance, Osoba said the Abiodun administration operates independently, guided by its mandate and priorities.
Reflecting on Ogun State at 50, he said he was grateful to witness the anniversary and noted changes across the state.
“I feel highly excited and grateful to God that I am alive to witness our state at 50. What impresses me most is the developments that have taken place since the state was created. Abeokuta, the state capital, used to be a city you could drive around in about an hour. Today, it has grown into a large city. The same applies to places like Sagamu and Ijebu. There has been growth, and I am happy to see this level of development in my lifetime,” he said.
Speaking on progressive politics at the state and federal levels, Olusegun Osoba said it has long been part of the political culture in Yorubaland and expressed hope that current policies would benefit people at the grassroots.
“My hope is that the benefits of the current policies will increasingly reach the grassroots. Development must ultimately reduce hardship at the lower levels of society.
“Our political philosophy has always emphasised policies that improve the welfare of the people. When I was governor, my focus was rural development – building roads, expanding electrification and providing water supply. That tradition continues in progressive governance today,” he said.
On the future of the state, the former governor urged politicians to practise politics without bitterness and with decency, while remaining committed to civic responsibilities.
“Politicians should learn to be content. Contentment is very important. I do not pray to own an aircraft. I do not pray to have all these fancy things anymore. Whatever I have, my best dresses are always Aso Oke. It is woven; I grew into it. My father used to buy it for me when I was young.
“And what I would also advise is that we must do our civic responsibility. I say it loudly and clearly, even at the age of 87, I pay my tax regularly to Ogun State. I pay an average of N30 million in tax, N30 million self-assessed tax in Ogun State. So we want development. My advice to people is that let us be content, let us be alive to our civic responsibility, and let us continue to put in all our efforts into the development of our state. And let us play politics decently.
“There are many people who were previously in PDP who are now in APC. Some in APC have gone their own way. No problem. We will go and come back, give and take. So my policy is to be friendly with everybody. That does not mean that I will change my philosophy or my belief in progressive politics. Those who want to be conservative can go on being conservative.”
