A significant political realignment took shape in Ogun State on Sunday as professionals from Ogun West unanimously adopted Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as their sole and consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election, while also endorsing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.
The declaration was made in Ilaro during the Ogun West Professionals for Yayi Media Chat, held at the Frontier Hotel and Resorts. The high-powered gathering attracted political leaders, technocrats and professionals from within and outside the senatorial district, signalling what many observers describe as the most coordinated political move yet by Ogun West.
The event featured Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, as keynote speaker, alongside the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako; Chief Jide Ojuko; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Lai Taiwo; Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele (Oju Yayi); the Ogun APC Woman Leader; and Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu, Chairman of the Ogun State Teaching Commission.
In his keynote address titled “The Power of Internal Coherence in Securing External Support: A Roadmap to Achieving Ogun West Governorship Ambition in 2027,” Senator Bamidele stressed that unity within Ogun West was not optional but strategic.
“Internal coherence is indispensable. Unity is political capital—it unlocks party confidence, elite endorsements, cross-district alliances and statewide voter legitimacy,” he said.
Describing Ogun State as a “peculiar case of political exclusion,” Bamidele noted that since the creation of the state in 1976, Ogun West has never produced a governor. He warned that persistent internal divisions could once again frustrate the district’s long-standing aspiration.
“Multiple aspirants will only split votes. Political parties will bypass the district. External power blocs will dictate outcomes. The cost of disunity in 2027 will be historic,” he cautioned.
Participants explained that the decision to rally behind Senator Adeola was deliberate, drawing lessons from past failures where lack of unity and a common front weakened Ogun West’s chances. They described Adeola as a governance-ready candidate with proven capacity to mobilise support across Ogun West, Central and East.
In separate remarks, Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu, Senator Lekan Mustapha and Professor Femi Oke described the 2027 election as a rare opportunity to correct what they termed a historical imbalance in Ogun politics. They praised Adeola’s record as a bridge-builder and his role in attracting federal projects to the state.
Adding his voice, Dr. Iziaq Salako urged Ogun West leaders to prioritise strategy over sentiment.
“It is not enough to say ‘it is our turn.’ Ogun West must engage other districts with facts, logic and persuasive arguments. Political balance is achieved through strategy, not emotion,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Steering Committee, Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose, said the Ogun West Professionals group was established to pool expertise, enforce internal cohesion and develop a credible roadmap for winning the governorship in 2027.
The event climaxed with the formal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term and the official adoption of Senator Olamilekan Adeola as Ogun West’s preferred governorship candidate. Five Ogun West indigenes were also presented with employment letters facilitated through Senator Adeola, alongside an award recognising his contributions to Ogun State. The award was received on his behalf by the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Olaolu Olabimtan.
Political analysts say the unified stance displayed at the gathering marks a major turning point for Ogun West, signalling a determined push to end decades of marginalisation and reposition the district as a formidable force in the 2027 governorship race.
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