Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has bragged that he is still in charge of the state’s security and that he has the authority to detain anyone, no matter how powerful they may be.
Abiodun, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) candidate for governor, conveyed a coded message to his rivals in the contest for governor.
Abiodun warned them not to mistake his gentility for cowardice in a subtly directed jab at former Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Hon. Ladi Adebutu.
While Amosun has been canvassing the State for Biyi Otegbeye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Adebutu is the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for governor (PDP).
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections, Abiodun threatened to order the arrest of anybody who tries to intimidate his supporters on election day.
The governor told his supporters not to allow anybody to intimidate them, saying he is in charge of governance in the state.
Addressing his supporters at his country home in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of the state in a short video clip, Abiodun said he could order the arrest of anybody.
Abiodun and Adebutu, his main rival in the governorship race, both hails from Iperu.
The governor alleged that his opponents have started importing political thugs into the Iperu township ahead of Saturday’s election.
Speaking in Yoruba, he said: “Don’t allow anybody to intimidate you on election day. I am sure you know that I am the governor, I am the governor of this state. I am the Chief Security Officer of this state and I can arrest anybody, anybody!
“They (opponents) can be grandstanding here and there, but it is vanity. You know I’m a gentleman. But like they say, the gentility of a tiger is not a symbol of timidity.
“I learnt some people have started importing thugs into Iperu, If I lay my hands on them, I’ll deal with them and their thugs severely.”