Governance Is Negotiation, Not Orders, Arabambi Defends Dapo Abiodun’s Record
ABEOKUTA – A political commentator and State Convener, Sustainability of Ogun and Dapo Abiodun Legacy Beyond 2027, Dr Arabambi Abayomi, has dismissed criticisms questioning Governor Dapo Abiodun’s suitability for the Senate, describing such claims as “empty political rhetoric” lacking factual basis.
Dr Arabambi Abayomi made this known in a statement on Wednesday, while reacting to a recent publication titled “Ogun East: Beyond the Motor Park Politics”, which argued that the governor may not possess the collaborative temperament required for effective legislative engagement at the national level.
He said the argument was built on flawed assumptions and failed to reflect the realities of governance, insisting that executive leadership in a complex political environment like Nigeria is rooted in negotiation, consensus building and strategic engagement.
According to him, “The idea that a governor simply issues directives is far from reality. Governance at that level is constant negotiation with lawmakers, political stakeholders, traditional institutions and federal agencies.”
Arabambi maintained that Governor Abiodun’s record in office reflects sustained coalition building and administrative engagement rather than authoritarian decision making as alleged by critics.
He said, “Every budget passage, infrastructure rollout and policy implementation in Ogun State has required dialogue and alignment of interests. That is the nature of executive leadership.”
Addressing concerns about alleged strained relationships with political predecessors and stakeholders, he said such issues do not determine leadership competence.
He noted, “Leadership is not defined by how comfortable you make every political actor feel. It is defined by outcomes, delivery and the courage to make decisions in the public interest.”
Arabambi also pointed to what he described as visible achievements under the Abiodun administration, particularly in infrastructure development, economic growth indicators and governance stability.
He said, “The results are not abstract. They are visible in roads, healthcare facilities, schools and investment growth. Ogun State has recorded measurable progress that cannot be dismissed by opinion-based analysis.”
On arguments suggesting that a confrontational leadership style would be a disadvantage in the Senate, Arabambi disagreed, saying legislative effectiveness is driven by competence, experience and negotiation strength.
He stated, “The Senate is not a place for sentiment. It is a chamber of negotiation where outcomes are driven by knowledge, capacity and influence, not personality appeal.”
He further argued that executive experience prepares individuals for higher legislative responsibility, rather than disqualifying them.
According to him, “Anyone who has managed a state understands pressure, crisis management and decision making at scale. That experience is an asset, not a limitation.”
Arabambi urged political commentators to focus on verifiable performance indicators rather than what he described as speculative political narratives.
He added, “Ultimately, the electorate will decide based on what they can see and assess. Governance is not judged by rhetoric but by results.”
