Yayi Adeola 2027: A True Reflection of Gateway State’s Commitment To Equity, Fairness and Justice
By Raheem Ajayi
Ogun State has demonstrated, once again, why its commitment to democracy, good governance and fairness as well as its pride of place in the struggle for equity and fairness cannot be queried. On Monday, April 13th, the state witnessed a pronouncement which instantly healed the pain of 50 years. The ruling party in the State, All Progressive Congress, APC, endorsed the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, otherwise called Yayi, as the Governorship candidate of the party for the 2027 gubernatorial election.
Since the creation of the Gateway State in 1976, no individual from Ogun West Senatorial District has been Governor. Whereas, people from Ogun Central and Ogun East Senatorial Districts have had turns as governors of the state, the people of Yewa-Awori who constitute Ogun West have not had the opportunity of having one of us elected as Governor.
There has been agitation for a power shift to Ogun West after 50 years of the creation of our dear state. The age long agitation of our quest to have one of us elected Governor of the state has not only been very loud but has also attracted the attention of prominent people all over Nigeria. This struggle was started in the 70s by our leaders, some of whom are now late.
Pa Jonathan Odebiyi, Sen. Ayo Otegbola, Pa Tunji Otegbeye, Mama Ebun Oyagbola, Sen Afolabi Olabimtan, Deacon Poju Aseyemi and Pa YAB Olatunji fought this struggle until their last days on earth. Sen. Kola Bajomo, Chief (Mrs) Iyabode Apampa, Sen. Iyabo Anisulowo, Chief Bisiriyu Popoola, Alh. Salmot Badru, Chief Mufutau Ajibola, Chief Sogo Agemo, Dr. Kunle Salako, Hon. Kayode Oladele, Chief Dapo Oke, Prince Kayode Oni, Hon. Kunle Akinlade and many others who are well and alive today also contributed to the struggle.
I have joined this struggle from my days as an undergraduate, even as President of the Students’ Union, and later Secretary General of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). Along with many committed young men and women under the aegis of Yewa Youth Assembly (YYA), Yewa Awori-Youth Agenda Forum (YAYAF) and other organisations, we took the baton of the struggle from the elders and on it till today.
Gratitude goes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, under whose leadership, this dream of power shift to Ogun West is being realised.
Just like it was for Rev. Jesse Jackson and Oprah Winfrey when Barack Obama was declared the US president of the United States. It was highly emotional for me, while watching Prince Dapo Abiodun, the governor of our state make what would become a historical declaration. Prince Abiodun, who has demonstrated his desire to see power shift to Ogun West in the spirit of justice, equity and fairness was not alone. In fact, Governor Abiodun’s predecessors, Senators Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun did a lot in this regard. Not only did they desire a power shift to Ogun West after their second term in office, they demonstrated it with verifiable political and human resources as well as other forms of support.
Our revered, Akinrogun Olusegun Osoba, former governor of the state who rallied the incumbent and former governors as well as other party leaders to achieve this feat deserves a big accolade.
However, worthy of mention is the duo of Rt. Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, a four-term member of the House of Representatives and Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI). While Akinlade was part of YAYAF, a pressure group that fought for powershift as mentioned above, he also put himself forward to be elected as Governor. GNI who is also a member of the House of Reps was also a governorship candidate three consecutive times. Today both of them did not only set aside their ambition by stepping down, they have also declared openly to support Yayi.
This is the time that we should all come together, put aside our differences and work together to actualise our agelong desire of having one of us from Ogun West elected as Governor of the state. Our Obas, Bales, religious leaders, Artisans, farmers, captains of industries, students, young and old, men and women, the time is now to get one of us, Adeola Yayi, elected. This is because we have in Senator Adeola Yayi, a man of proven record of performance and lover of the people who has given a good account of himself through the positions he had occupied.
The unprecedented transformation of Ogun West Senatorial District in the last three years through responsive and uncommon representation of Senator Solomon Yayi Adeola, is a testament to how prepared he is. All the five local governments of Yewa-Awori land; Ado-Odo/Ota, Imeko-Afon, Ipokia, Yewa North and Yewa South have benefited from his efficient representation, including other parts of Ogun State. The best man for the job is Yayi who will take Ogun State to the next level…. YAYI NI JOOR, YAYI NI JARE.
Raheem Ajayi wrote from number 10, Oke Owode Road, Imashayi, Yewa North
