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The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ogun State, Rotimi Babajide, has criticised the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal, arguing that Nigerians are yet to enjoy meaningful benefits from the policy despite the significant rise in petrol prices.

Speaking with journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday, Babajide said Nigerians were now purchasing petrol for between N1,400 and N1,500 per litre without seeing corresponding improvements in their standard of living.

“The bottom line is subsidy, we are not seeing the dividend. We are buying fuel at 1,400, 1,500 right now. Nobody’s enjoying it,” he said.

The APM candidate also condemned a governor’s use of the expression “Are they mad?” while addressing the subsidy debate, describing the choice of words as unbecoming of a public official.

“For me, I believe that word is derogatory. That’s foul. That shouldn’t be heard from a leader of such magnitude,” Babajide said.

Babajide further promised to declare a state of emergency in Ogun State’s education sector if elected governor in the 2027 general elections.

The town planning expert said the proposed measure would focus on urgently reversing what he described as the deterioration and decline of education in the state.

“If elected by the grace of God come May 29, 2027, I am going to declare a state of emergency in education because the education that our forefathers had brought to us, the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Tai Solarin, Professor Wole Soyinka, Ransom Kuti, and so many others, we can see a decline, a serious decline and retrogression in our education sector,” he said.

He explained that the proposed state of emergency would not entail force, curfews or restrictions, but would instead involve immediate government action to address the challenges in the sector.

Babajide said his administration would introduce digital technologies and modern learning facilities to strengthen teaching and enable students in Ogun State to compete at the global level.

He also referenced the achievement of a Nigerian student in an international competition as an indication of the possibilities that could emerge when students are given the necessary support.

“We have to look at all of that and close up those lacuna and ensure that we use digital tools, current facilities, you know, to train our children,” he said.

Speaking about his proposed relationship with former Ogun governors Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, Babajide said talks were already underway with Daniel and expressed hope of meeting him.

According to him, the experience accumulated by former governors could benefit his administration, adding that he planned to include former political leaders in his team.

“Because from Ogun East, he has the experience, he has the expertise as a former governor, and there’s things to always gain from him, and support as a father,” Babajide said.

He said his broader plan was to collaborate with experienced political figures while building support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The APM candidate also voiced his support for Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, saying he believed the governor possessed the qualities required to lead Nigeria at the federal level.

Babajide cited initiatives he attributed to Makinde’s administration, particularly in waste management and internally generated revenue, as indications of his performance in office.

He also rejected concerns that Makinde’s potential emergence could weaken the South’s ambition to produce Nigeria’s president, arguing that political parties and interest groups could establish a coalition when necessary.

Babajide said such a coalition would be deployed to safeguard the political interests of the South, stressing that parties would unite “at the appropriate time, in the fullness of time.”

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