The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Abayomi Tella, has launched a scathing assessment of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration, describing its overall performance as disappointing while expressing confidence that the opposition party will reclaim power in the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Wednesday, Tella said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had failed to deliver meaningful governance across the state, insisting that the PDP remained the only credible alternative for Ogun residents.
“It would be a mere waste of time talking about the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun. Every individual in Ogun State tells you he did not do well. It’s as simple as that. And the alternative is PDP and we are coming on board,” he said.
The PDP chairman argued that the effectiveness of any government should be judged by how well it empowers local government councils, maintaining that grassroots governance remains the foundation of sustainable development.
According to him, administrations that succeeded the PDP weakened local government administration, thereby undermining service delivery and development across the state.
“Any government that does not make the local government administration work can never be a good government because every policy is local. The only government that did that in this state is PDP. Every other one that has come thereafter does not get it right,” he stated.
Tella pledged that a PDP government would restore local government autonomy if elected in 2027, arguing that strengthening grassroots administration would significantly improve the welfare of residents despite the country’s current economic challenges.
“Once you stabilise the local government administration, in this present economy that we are at, everybody is crying everywhere. You have, honestly, I must tell you, talking from experience, you have stabilised 30 per cent for the people of Ogun State,” he added.
The opposition chairman also criticised the Abiodun administration’s performance in education, healthcare and infrastructure, accusing the government of concentrating development projects within Abeokuta while neglecting rural communities.
He rated the administration’s performance in infrastructure at less than 20 per cent and described its record in education as poor, alleging that projects were largely cosmetic.
“In the area of infrastructural development, I will score this government less than 20 per cent. Education, to me, this government is zero. One of the things that this government likes to do is to come into Abeokuta metropolis, paint a school and showcase it with their yellow colour. Whereas Ogun State has more rural areas than urban. This government has failed completely in its responsibility to align with the rural dwellers,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Tella acknowledged the completion of the Gateway International Airport at Iperu, giving Governor Abiodun credit for completing the project while attributing its conception to former Governor Gbenga Daniel.
“I give credit to Otunba Gbenga Daniel for initiating the airport that we now have at Iperu, and I give it to Prince Dapo Abiodun for completing that. That is the only area where I would call this government 40 per cent. Every other place is less than 20. To me, this government has performed below expectations,” he said.
On pensioners’ welfare, Tella accused the current administration of failing retired civil servants and promised that a PDP government would prioritise prompt payment of pensions and gratuities if elected.
He said retired workers deserved dignity after years of service and vowed that the party would clear outstanding pension arrears while ensuring regular payment of entitlements.
“Our retirees who have given their best to the state must not suffer collecting their stipend. Retirees during our tenure were close to us. The government is not going to owe them. Anybody who is doing that is just callous for no reason,” he stated.
He further assured pensioners that outstanding arrears would be settled, lamenting that many retirees had died while struggling to access their benefits.
“I want to assure retirees that we will not only continue to pay them as at when due, but we will clear out the backlog because they deserve to live after giving their best to the state,” Tella added.
Looking ahead to the 2027 governorship election, the PDP chairman expressed confidence that the party would stage a political comeback, insisting that many influential politicians currently in other parties originally emerged from the PDP.
He cited Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Senator Gbenga Daniel as politicians with roots in the PDP, claiming many would eventually return to the party after leaving office.
“Even Mr. Governor today, Prince Dapo Abiodun, was a product of this party. Governor Amosun was a product of this party. Otunba Gbenga Daniel today, who is a senator under APC, is a product of this party. Some are hibernating there because of the positions they are holding. Immediately those positions go off, they will come back,” he said.
Tella also dismissed concerns over divisions within the PDP, saying the party’s national leadership crisis had been resolved and that the Ogun chapter remained united and prepared for the next general election.
“The 2027 election is going to be a heavy surprise. I am not going to let the cat out of the bag, but I am going to assure you that PDP will coast to victory in the 2027 election in Ogun State. Ogun State PDP under my leadership has remained one, and today we are united and ready for the election,” he said.
