Lavish spending towards the reelection campaign of Governor Dapo Abiodun has commenced following the acquisition of a fleet of motorcycles to be distributed to 472 party All Progressives Congress operatives in Ogun State.

“Brand new motorcycles for all the 236 councillors in Ogun State and also all the 236 APC Ward chairmen promised by Gov Dapo Abiodun have arrived. Ready for collection,” a Facebook post by OgunUpdate on Friday announced.

The shellout comes as campaigns for the 2023 general elections are set to formally begin next month, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable.

Mr Abiodun is seeking re-election after a four year term which critics described as dour and subpar in delivery. He faces stiff opposition from internal opposition from his own party, the APC. His predecessor Ibikunle Amosun has publicly vowed to frustrate his second term ambition.

Opposition party PDP is also waiting in the wings with its free-spending candidate, Ladi Adebutu, son of lotto mogul Kessington Adebutu, ready to run the governor out of town, naira for naira.

The fleet of 472 motorcycles for grassroot party leaders is expected to spark a wave of heavier payouts as Mr Abiodun ramps up efforts to curry politicians and voters’ favour.

It is however to be seen if the enticements will be enough to sway voters who have in the last four years accused the governor of abandonment.

Last week, pensioners in Ogun accused Mr Abiodun of being insensitive to their plight, urging him to pay up on their retirement benefits which they said amounted to N68 billion.

Mr Abiodun, however, said he could not be blamed for the outstanding debts which were mainly incurred by previous governments.