By Segun Olatunji
Still basking in the euphoria of the recent consensus endorsement of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi, as the All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate in Ogun State, a constellation of the political heavyweights calling the shots in Ogun West, on Sunday, April 19, 2026, gathered for a historic meeting at Ilaro, the capital of the senatorial district. The meeting was sequel to the recent announcement of Senator Yayi as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate for 2027.
It was the first of its kind of such a meeting of the leaders and stakeholders of the APC in the zone, where they unanimously endorsed Senator Adeola Yayi, ahead of the Ogun governorship election scheduled for 2027.
Amongst the who-is-who in Ogun West who attended the meeting were the incumbent Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Kunle Salako; members of the House of Representatives led by Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade, Gboyega Isiaka, and Hon. Tunji Akinosi.
Others present were Senator Akin Odunsi; Senator Iyabo Anisulowo; former deputy governor, Alhaja Makanjuola Badru; Senator Gbolahan Dada; Senator Tolu Odebiyi; Hon. Adekunle Akinlade; Ogun State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Hon. Lateefat Alabi; and the Chief of Staff to Governor Dapo Abiodun, Toyin Taiwo, among others.
At the end of this unprecedented political meeting in Ogun West, APC leaders, elected officials, political actors and stakeholders of the senatorial district collectively declared cessation to internal division within the party and the area, as they unanimously endorsed Senator Yayi’s consensus governorship candidacy. They put their feet down, pledging unity and collective commitment to Senator Adeola Yayi’s victory at next year’s governorship election.
Infact, the Ogun West Senatorial District APC leaders, who attended the Ilaro meeting in their large numbers, did not leave anyone in doubt that their convergence in Ilaro was not just to celebrate Senator Yayi’s endorsement by the APC in the state as its consensus governorship candidate, but to also seize the moment as a golden opportunity to officially and effectively end the internal divisions that have for decades plagued the political arena in Ogun West.
The April 13 APC strategic caucus meeting in Abeokuta, the state capital, where Governor Dapo Abiodun officially declared Senator Yayi the party’s consensus choice for next year’s governorship election provided the elixir for the Ogun West political leaders to come together and effectively close ranks to maximise this unprecedented opportunity to the advantage of their people, who had for over 50 years agitated for a time like this to come. Of course, the decision of the Ogun State APC to adopt Senator Yayi as its consensus governorship candidate is aimed at correcting the over half a century political imbalance that had deprived Ogun West the opportunity to produce a governor for the state since its creation in 1976.
The Ilaro meeting has highly significant implications, as it clearly signals an effective end to factionalism and division amongst the leaders and stakeholders in Ogun West Senatorial District.
The public pledges of support made by erstwhile political rivals, who have now collapsed their individual structures into Senator Yayi’s campaigns, are clear demonstrations of the readiness of the various political camps to unite behind the APC consensus governorship candidate for the main purpose of winning next year’s governorship election in Ogun State for the overall benefit of the people of the zone and the rest of the state.
With the utterances of the various political heavyweights at the meeting, there are clear indications that the situation in Ogun West has shifted from the usual fierce internal competition to external mobilisation of support for the victory of Senator Yayi, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Moreover, the physical presence of the various political leaders and stakeholders of Ogun West at the Ilaro meeting is enough proof that the district is finally speaking with one voice. For them, Senator Yayi’s victory at next year’s governorship election in Ogun State is a task that must be collectively done and achieved.
In her speech on the occasion, incumbent Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who described the meeting as a significant moment for Ogun West, commended President President Bola Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun for their roles in making the consensus endorsement of Senator Yayi possible.
According to her, “Today is a significant day for Ogun West. As a sitting government, I have seen how disadvantaged Ogun West has been. It is my prayer that God will give Senator Adeola the wisdom to deliver in this role. This project is my project.”
She also advised the APC flagbearer to run an inclusive administration when eventually elected governor, especially with regard to women.
On his own part, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Kunle Salako, stressed that the decades-old aspiration of Ogun West to produce a governor could only become a reality when there’s sustained unity amongst the leaders and people of the zone.
“For years, Ogun West has aspired to lead the state. Now that the opportunity has come, we must remain united and ensure no one is left behind,” he admonished.
A former governorship aspirant, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, expressed delight that internal disagreements within the APC had been resolved.
Akinlade described the meeting as a renewed moment of purpose, adding, “No matter what has been said before now, we are no longer divided. This is a meeting of purpose. We are now one and ready to move forward together.”
Hon. Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, on his own part, underscored the importance of the consensus arrangement but noted that winning the 2027 governorship election should be the ultimate goal.
He therefore charged party members to intensify mobilisation.
“It is not enough to agree. We must work to win. Every member must play a role in ensuring that our party emerges victorious,” he said.
Speaking in the same vein, a member of the House of Representatives and former governorship aspirant, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, appealed to party members to put aside personal interests and work collectively for the success of the party in the 2027 elections in the state.
Also speaking, Ogun West APC Chairman, Alhaji Azeez Ekwueme, hailed the zoning of the state’s governorship ticket to the district, appealing to members to close ranks behind the APC flagbearer in the state.
Addressing the Ogun West APC leaders and stakeholders at the meeting, the consensus governorship candidate, Senator Adeola Yayi, described the turnout at Ilaro as a turning point for the zone, expressing delight that the district had resolved to move forward as one political family.
According to him, “I cannot imagine that we are here today as one indivisible family to affirm that it is Ogun West’s time. From today, we are one big family speaking with one voice.
“No one will be sidelined. We are together in this journey.”
The APC governorship candidate also acknowledged the roles played by President Tinubu and Governor Abiodun, as well as former governors Olusegun Osoba, Ibikunle Amosun, and Gbenga Daniel.
“I was taken by surprise when I was announced because I was still looking forward to the party primary. I thank our leaders for this honour done to the sons and daughters of Ogun West after 50 years,” he said.
Senator Yayi, however, appealed to APC members to remain united, saying, “From today going forward, we are one big indivisible family. We are speaking with one voice. I can assure you that no one is going to coerce me. I am for everyone.”
The ranking Senator underscored the need for total commitment to electoral victory, stressing that only their collective efforts and discipline would enable the ruling party to win the presidency and other elective positions in the 2027 general elections.
Senator Yayi is indeed a man of vision imbued with a strategy that will carry along every part of Ogun State when he’s eventually elected as governor. His myriad of life-changing projects and mega-empowerment programmes, since his election in 2023 to represent Ogun West in the Senate, as well as his extension of such projects, empowerment programmes, scholarships and bursaries to the people in the two other senatorial districts – Ogun Central and Ogun East – are enough evidence of his readiness to govern beyond his senatorial district.
However, the road to Oke Mosan in 2027 is not paved with gold. Rather, it’s still strewn with huge challenges that will largely be posed by opposition candidates. The looming challenge from other parties is a reality that must be confronted and tackled early enough. Ladi Adebutu, son of multi-billionaire businessman, Chief Kessington Adebutu, is revving his political machinery to do battle with the APC flagbearer in next year’s governorship election. Adebutu’s deep pocket and humongous war chest will have more than fitful and significant impact for next year’s governorship election. Perhaps, Senator Yayi’s choice by the APC in Ogun State could also be attributed to the party’s belief that the ranking Senator is the only “warrior” formidable enough to match opposition candidates, particularly Adebutu, “Naira for Naira.”
Therefore, to come out victorious in the 2027 governorship election, the next step, which should be taken more seriously, is to move beyond the new-found Ogun senatorial district level unity to statewide grassroots mobilisation in all the 20 local government areas of the state.
The April 19 meeting in Ilaro has served as the strategic consolidation needed to transform and concretise a party’s decision into a popular movement. From the new-found unity forged in Ilaro on this auspicious day, a new Ogun West and even Ogun State has been born.
For Ogun West and its people, therefore, 2027 is no longer just a hope, but a meticulously planned reality.
Omo Ogun, ise ya!
Yayi ni jo! Yayi ni jare!
. Olatunji, a Journalist, Political/Crisis Communication Strategist, writes from Ilaro
