Governor Dapo Abiodun receives muted response at Chief Mrs. Lucia Onabanjo’s burial in Ijebu-Ode, while Gbenga Daniel draws loud applause
Lucia Onabanjo burial: Crowd Applauds Gbenga Daniel, Greets Abiodun with Silence
Governor Dapo Abiodun received a notably subdued reception on Friday at the burial ceremony of Chief Mrs. Lucia Onabanjo in Ijebu-Ode, as attendees responded to his address with minimal acknowledgment.
The funeral, held in honour of the widow of Ogun State’s first civilian governor, Bisi Onabanjo, drew a cross-section of the state’s political elite.
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Among those in attendance were former Governors Olusegun Osoba and Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Gbenga Daniel, former Osun Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore, as well as Mrs. Otedola, former First Lady of Lagos State and mother of billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola. Several former deputy governors and senators were also present.
Observers at the ceremony noted a shift in atmosphere when Senator Gbenga Daniel arrived, receiving warm applause from attendees both outside and inside the church premises.
The contrast between the reception accorded Daniel and the more restrained response that greeted Governor Abiodun did not go unnoticed by political watchers in attendance.
While funerals traditionally transcend partisan lines, the reactions at the widely attended event have since sparked conversations about shifting political sentiments in the Ijebu axis — a region considered strategic in Ogun State politics.
The development comes amid growing speculation about Governor Abiodun’s political future as his tenure gradually winds down. In recent weeks, discussions around a possible Senate bid have surfaced in political circles.
Some critics have argued that recent public endorsements linked to the governor reflect the position of political appointees and close associates rather than organic grassroots backing.
Friday’s ceremony, however, brought together political stakeholders across party lines and generations, underscoring the enduring influence of the Onabanjo family in Ogun’s political history.
As of the time of filing this report, the governor’s office had not issued any statement regarding the public reception at the event.
With 2027 political alignments beginning to crystallise, observers say even symbolic public moments such as this could offer subtle insight into voter mood — particularly in the influential Ijebu region. Read More
