
A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State and Convener, Ogun West Initiative (OWI), Olootu Bolaji Adeniji, has said that the Senator representing Ogun West senatorial district, Solomon Olamilkekan Adeola is the option for the senatorial district to realize its perennial agitation to produce the next governor of the state.
According to him, the senatorial district’s aspiration for governorship in 2027 is no longer a sectional plea but a pan-Ogun State agenda stating that the region is willing, capable and ready to lead Ogun State to an unprecedented level of growth by the next electoral cycle.
Adeniji, while fielding questions from journalists in Abeokuta, the state capital over the weekend, said the agitation for Ogun West to produce a governor has been a longstanding quest that will take a different turn in the next election because the zone now possess a capable hand with the competence, resources, political structures and needed goodwill across the state.
When asked specifically about the chances of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola whose name is reverberating across the state, the OWI convener affirmed the Senator’s qualifications for the top office. In his words, “Oh why not, the Senator has demonstrated exceptional capacity and influence through his interventions in human capital development that is healthcare and education. His efforts in provision of social services, entrepreneurial support and empowerment of the masses have endeared him to his people and admirers across the state.
Continuing, “There is no community in the senatorial district that has not witnessed the physical touch of the benevolent legislator in terms of infrastructural development. Many roads are either completed or at various stages of completion as I speak. Primary healthcare centres, classrooms, market stalls, libraries, town halls, ICT centers, rural electrification and provision potable water are projrcts of his that adorns every nook and cranny of the district”.
“What more, business people, market women, students, traditional institution and community development associations have all felt the impact of his unprecedented representation. He is eminently qualified for the job and if and when he officially throws his hat into the ring, all well-meaning sons and daughters of Yew-Awori should back him up and enlist the support of our friends across the state to make for his emergence as Ogun State governor.
Adeniji however deplored insinuations that Governor Dapo Abiodun may be working on a preferred successor. He expressed optimism that the governor would ensure a transparent process by allowing the best candidate to emerge regardless of region.
According to him “It is a notorious fact that since the creation of Ogun State and out of its four major ethnic divisions — Ijebu, Remo, Egba, and Yewa-Awori — only the Yewa-Awori division have yet to produce a governor, hence the consistent advocacy for power to shift to the zone to ensure equity, fairness, justice and inclusivity in leadership.”
Adeniji said the zone is approaching the agitation for 2027 with different mindset and shift in strategy. “Unlike the past, Ogun West is no longer approaching this aspiration from a position of weakness or dependency. Historically, we relied on external political godfathers, structures, financing and electoral resources, to push candidates they equally chose for us. While it is desirable to have considerable support from other zones, the wholesale dependency on them had deleterious consequences on the final outcomes”.
He stated further, “Ogun West has the resources, structures and goodwill to back its aspirations. If you observe the evolving political undercurrents, Ogun West – through Senator Adeola fondly called YAYI – have become the epicenter of political activities and this is fundamental in terms of shift of power ahead of 2027. Our renewed confidence stems from Ogun West’s realization that power is not handed on a platter but earned through unity, preparation and strategy”.
“Winning an election requires a coalition of support from various stakeholders across the state. We are not waiting for an anointment or for anyone to “carry” its brightest prospect on the back. Previous attempts by two governors to produce Ogun West candidates despite significant financial and political backing failed to yield results.
“This time, Ogun West is will take its destiny into its own hands and field a strong candidate who possesses the competence, grassroots appeal and resources to run a successful campaign; and in Senator Olamilekan Adeola, Ogun West has the best chance to end its long wait”; He noted.