Politics
Rinsola Abiola Appointed as Ogun City Boy Movement Coordinator, Pledges Grassroots Mobilisation
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The Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Rinsola Abiola, has expressed profound gratitude following her appointment as Coordinator of the City Boy Movement in Ogun State, vowing to deepen grassroots mobilisation and strengthen support for the Renewed Hope agenda.
Abiola made this known in a statement shared on her official X account on Thursday, describing her emergence as both an honour and a call to greater service.
“I am deeply honoured by my appointment as Coordinator of the City Boy Movement in Ogun State,” she wrote.
The City Boy Movement, a political support platform aligned with the All Progressives Congress, has been active in galvanising youth and grassroots backing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
Abiola said the movement symbolises “energy, loyalty and an unshakable commitment to progressive ideals that define the APC and the Renewed Hope Administration,” adding that she appreciated “the confidence reposed in me by the leadership of the Movement.”
She also commended the leaders of the initiative for what she described as their “vision and inspiration behind this epoch-making initiative.”
Outlining her agenda for Ogun State, the DG pledged to collaborate with stakeholders across the state to reinforce the movement’s grassroots structures.
“As Coordinator in Ogun State, I am committed to working with other distinguished stakeholders to strengthen our grassroots structures, mobilise support across communities and advance the Renewed Hope agenda,” she stated.
Abiola further assured supporters of her resolve to consolidate existing gains and build unity within the fold.
“Together, we will consolidate our gains and build a stronger, more united movement; and deliver excellently for Mr President in all the ways that count, so help us God,” she added.
Her appointment is seen by political observers as part of ongoing efforts by APC-aligned groups to consolidate support structures at the state level ahead of the upcoming 2027 general elections.
With her dual role as head of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre and now Ogun State Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, expectations are high that Abiola will leverage her experience in leadership development and civic engagement to drive the movement’s objectives.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how effectively the movement translates its rhetoric of loyalty and unity into tangible grassroots impact across Ogun communities.
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Daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and former Senator representing Ogun central, now a governorship aspirant in Ogun State Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo has described the recent economic and infrastructural developments in Nigeria as an indication of a positive shift, highlighting the stabilisation of the naira, improved transportation networks and growing international economic engagement.
She said this on Saturday during a media parley held at OOPL, Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.
Obasanjo said the relative stability of the national currency has restored confidence among businesses, particularly importers and exporters, by enabling better financial planning and predictability.
She noted that fluctuations in the exchange rate had previously made it difficult for businesses to survive, as costs and selling prices changed unpredictably, noting that the current trend offers relief to the private sector.
According to her, major infrastructure projects, including the controversial Calabar road project, would ultimately deliver long-term economic benefits despite initial criticisms.
She explained that the project would enhance port connectivity, facilitate smoother transportation to the eastern corridor and reduce pressure on roads in Ogun State, which serves as a major transit route between the South-West, North and East.
She also cited improvements in rail transportation as part of efforts to strengthen logistics and ease the movement of goods and people across the country.
On security, Obasanjo said increased collaboration among security agencies and international partners has contributed to gradual improvements, adding that economic diplomacy remains a key driver of development.
Obasanjo commended the trade and investment initiatives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that his international engagements were opening new opportunities for economic growth.
“The stabilisation of the naira cannot be underestimated. When people can predict income and expenditure, investments increase and the economy improves,” she said.
She also defended the much-debated Calabar road project, arguing that beyond initial criticisms, the infrastructure would unlock economic opportunities by improving port connectivity and easing transportation bottlenecks across regions.
“Right now, if you are travelling to the North or East, you almost always pass through Ogun State. While that is good for connectivity, it also puts enormous pressure on our roads. This project will help decongest those routes and support development,” she explained.
She commended the economic diplomacy efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that his foreign engagements have begun to yield positive outcomes in trade and investment.
“The President’s visits to different countries for trade and economic cooperation are important. International collaboration is rising, and that is key to sustainable development,” she added.
Obasanjo stressed that economic stability remains the foundation for national prosperity, noting that frequent currency fluctuations in the past made it difficult for businesses to survive.
“When the economy is unstable, people buy goods at one price and are forced to sell at a loss when the exchange rate changes. Stability makes growth possible,” she said.
While also speaking on her political journey and connection to grassroots, Obasanjo explained that she had built a career before entering politics which allowed her to view public service primarily as an opportunity to drive development rather than as a lifelong occupation.
She emphasised that living abroad provided her with an opportunity to understand how governance works in other societies, particularly the functioning of local governments and tax systems.
“My international exposure helps because I had a career doing something else which I am comfortable with and can return to. It means that when I am in government, I see everything as a development issue, not as something I must hold on to forever,” she said.
“You cannot copy anything exactly from any other country, but a lot of it gives you ideas about how things can work better in your own society,” she said.
Obasanjo argued that politics should not be treated as a lifelong profession, noting that democratic governance was designed to allow citizens to participate in leadership and later return to private life.
“Politics is not supposed to be a lifelong career. People should be able to come in from society, serve, and return to their normal lives,” she said.
She remarked on Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who served as governor of Lagos State for eight years and later returned to private life for about two decades before contesting the presidency.
According to her, such a model encourages the emergence of “citizen politicians” who understand society from outside the government and can bring fresh ideas into public service.
“I see governance as something you do to develop society and help people, and then you can move on to other things in or outside politics,” she said.
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…As Members From Osiele Ward Protest Imposition of Candidates
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that its ward congresses in Ogun State were conducted peacefully, with no petitions received from any of the wards across the state.
- Speaking ahead of the party’s secretariat on Friday, Shaibu Phillip who is the Chairman of appeal committe said the committee had officially opened secretariats at the ward, local government, and state levels to receive complaints or petitions from aggrieved party members, in line with party guidelines.
According to him, despite the openness of the process and the availability of channels for official communication, no written petition was submitted from any of the wards that make up Ogun State throughout the ward congress exercise.
“We made provisions for petitions at the ward level, just as we are doing for the local government congresses. I’m happy to inform you that we did not receive any petition from any ward in Ogun State,” he said.
He acknowledged that in one or two areas, party leaders intervened to resolve internal disagreements, but stressed that such issues were amicably settled without escalating into formal complaints.
The appeal committee chairman explained that the party’s decision to establish petition points at all levels was to ensure transparency and give room for members who felt dissatisfied with any aspect of the process to officially communicate their concerns through the appropriate channels.
- “The responsibility of this committee is to receive and secure petitions where necessary. We did not restrict this process to the wards alone; we also opened secretariats at the local government and state levels,” he noted.
Describing the ward congresses as a major test for internal party democracy, he said the calm atmosphere recorded during the exercise was a strong indication that the processes were properly managed.
“As a politician, I know the real test is at the ward level. If the heat didn’t get too hot there, it shows that, by the grace of God, the processes were peaceful,” he added.
He commended the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State for working in synergy, as well as the governor, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and other party leaders for adhering strictly to party rules and cooperating to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
He expressed optimism that the forthcoming local government congresses would replicate the peaceful conduct witnessed at the ward level, urging party members to maintain discipline and unity.
The appeal committee chairman also called on other states to emulate Ogun State’s example, describing the atmosphere during the congresses as “very peaceful and cordial,” and reaffirmed that the party secretariats at the ward, local government, and state levels in Ogun State remain open to receive any genuine complaints.
Meanwhile, shortly after the press conference, members from Osiele Ward were seen protesting with placards against the imposition of candidates by some leaders. The aggrieved members declared that all that mattered to them was to allow the elected candidates to take their positions without being replaced.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Comrade Oluagbemiga from Osiele Ward, Ward 6, Odeda Local Government, said, “We are here to represent our ward. We held a congress day before yesterday and elected our leaders, and then we heard yesterday that they want to return those people who did it before, and they’ve been doing this for six years. Our appeal is that those newly elected candidates, we want them to remain our executives.”
Politics
Osoba Dismisses Godfatherism Claims, Says Relationship with Abiodun Is Built on Mutual Respect
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Former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, has described his relationship with Governor Dapo Abiodun as cordial, respectful, and devoid of political interference.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with journalists in Abeokuta, Osoba said the absence of godfatherism in Ogun State politics stems from the mutual understanding and harmony between himself and the governor.
He noted that since the inception of the current administration in 2019, he has deliberately refrained from interfering in governance.
According to the Akinrogun of Egbaland, he has neither pressured the governor nor made recommendations regarding appointments or placements in government.
“I have never suggested anyone to be appointed into any office, nor have I influenced the running of the government in any form,” he stated.
Osoba, a former national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasized that his relationship with the governor is anchored on mutual respect rather than patronage.
He explained that he accords Abiodun the respect due to his position as the state’s Chief Executive, and that respect is reciprocated.
“I respect him as the Chief Executive Officer and the current father of the state, and he returns that respect to me,” Osoba said, adding that this understanding has contributed significantly to the peace and stability being enjoyed across Ogun State.
He maintained that the harmony between them has translated into effective governance and a calm political atmosphere, dismissing insinuations of godfatherism as unfounded.
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