…..petitions President Tinubu, raises alarm over alleged threats by Ogun gov
….they are illegal, irritant body, trades on propaganda, blackmail – Oladunjoye
By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
The Ogun State chapter of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has accused the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led government in the State of nepotism, saying that he favours only Ogun East in key appointments.
The State Chairman of CUPP, Otunba Femi Sholuade stated this at a press conference in Abeokuta, stressing that indigenes of the Ogun East Senatorial District were given key positions in his government, at the expense of Ogun Central and Ogun West Senatorial Districts.
It also condemned the appointment of an Ondo State indigene as the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Media, describing it as an affront to Ogun State professionals.
The group said it has petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing the Governor Abiodun, Secretary to the State Government, and Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Kayode Akinmade of orchestrating threats against its executive members.
The CUPP claimed that its demand for transparency in the State government’s housing projects had sparked intimidation tactics, including calls for its members to appear before the Department of State Services (DSS) under conflicting pretenses.
Recall that the CUPP had given the state government a seven-day ultimatum to disclose the beneficiaries of its housing scheme and contracts since it’s inception.
The coalition had pointed to alleged irregularities in the state’s housing project awards, which it claims were executed without open bidding or adherence to due process.
It also demanded the Ogun State government release information about these projects under the Freedom of Information Act.
Sholuade, alongside the Secretary, Engr. Samson Okusanya, highlighted the imminent threats against members including Alhaji Moshood Adesina, Comrade Ashade Michael, and Chief Sola Coker.
“We have been trailed by vehicles with covered plates and intimidated by road union leaders, allegedly loyal to the governor. These developments point to an orchestrated effort to silence our voices,” the statement reads.
“The lives of CUPP members, including myself, Engr. Samson Okusanya, Alhaji Moshood Adesina, Comrade Ashade Michael, and Chief Sola Coker, are under imminent threat due to our demand for transparency and accountability in the Ogun State government’s housing projects.
“These projects, awarded to construction companies without open bidding and due process, have raised concerns about governance and the misuse of state resources.
“These threats have escalated to include intimidation by officers of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ogun State.
“On January 20, 2025, a DSS officer by the name of Emmanuel Abua called Alhaji Moshood Adesina, informing him that all CUPP officers must report on January 24, 2025, for a routine interaction with the Ogun State DSS Director.
However, on January 21, 2025, another DSS official, Kunle Dealer, contacted me, as the State Chairman of CUPP, directing all CUPP officers involved in a recent press conference to report to the DSS office, based on a petition from the Ogun State government”.
“The conflicting messages from the same organization raise suspicions that Governor Dapo Abiodun is targeting us with the intention to harm our lives and those of our families”.
“We now live in constant fear of potential assassination, especially given the involvement of powerful and ruthless road union leaders loyal to the Governor, who are capable of carrying out violent orders.”
“Instead of addressing these issues, the governor has chosen to target us through threats and harassment,” the coalition added.
It warned that any harm to its members would be attributed directly to Governor Abiodun and his administration.
CUPP called on President Tinubu to intervene urgently, emphasizing its resolve to uphold transparency despite the alleged witch-hunt.
Reacting to the allegations, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tunde Oladunjoye described the CUPP as attention seekers, who are not known to media in the State.
He said, the CUPP in the State remains an illegal, irritant body that trades on propaganda, blackmail.
Oladunjoye in a statement stated that “the integral principle of natural justice resides in the maxim: “He who calls for equity must come with clean hands”.
“The case of so-called Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) in Ogun State is pathetic, as it is laughable; it is a confirmation of a group’s agitation spurred by pecuniary gains”.
“For clarity, CUPP is simply the union of deregistered political parties in Ogun State, who were sent out of the political space by the electoral umpire as a result of their redundancy, unpopularity, inaction and rejection in the political environment”.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) considered this group of political jobbers as dangerous parasites in the political climate, hence, their ignominious exit from political environment to entrench sanity in the system”.
“The recent virtuperations of the illegal association called CUPP in Ogun State about Governor Dapo Abiodun and other senior officials in his government is practically an aberration, considering the antecedents of those individuals that constitute the illegal group”.
“Without mincing words, the society must be very wary of these individuals who are perpetually jobless as well as covetous; they are serious threat to decency and seriousness in the political arena”.
“These individuals need to be educated that Prince Dapo Abiodun is beyond a personality that can be blackmailed into submission; thinking the Governor can be emasculated to dole out cash to help their terrible economic conditions”.
“As far as Ogun State and the government of Prince Dapo Abiodun is concerned, the State is geometrically on the path of development and sustained growth with remarkable projects of indelible legacies”.
“On a final note, the crop of elements in CUPP must immediately refrain from their illegal activities and get engaged in productive activities rather than their present nude dance at the market square”.
