…as Iyabo Obasanjo puts guber ambition on hold, winds down campaigns
Segun Olatunji
Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi, has expressed his readiness to work for the birth of a new Ogun State.
This is just as another governorship aspirant of the Ogun APC, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo announced the suspension of her campaigns for the party’s gubernatorial ticket in 2027.
Senator Adeola gave this pledge while reacting to his endorsement by the ruling All Progressives Congress in the state led by the incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun and supported by his three predecessors – former governors Olusegun Osoba, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
The ruling party’s decision to field Senator Adeola as the party’s governorship candidate was announced at a state strategic caucus meeting presided over by the APC state chairman, Yemi Sanusi, at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Present at the meeting was Governor Abiodun, former governors Chief Olusegun Osoba, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and Gbenga Daniel.
Others were two governorship aspirants – Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and Gboyega Isiaka, currently representing Imeko/Afon Federal Constituency as well as other serving and former members of the state House of Assembly and National Assembly.
Governor Abiodun had during the meeting announced Senator Adeola as the party’s consensus governorship candidate, urging other aspirants to give him their support while also stressing the need for party unity above personal interests.
The governor’s announcement was followed by jubilation among party members, who began to chant, “Yayi ni jo, Yayi ni jare!”
Senator Adeola, in his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to party members for the confidence reposed in him.
He pledged not to disappoint the party, saying, “Now is all the sacrifices that my brothers have put together to ensure this day comes to pass.
“I believe in oneness and the unity of our dear state and Ogun West by extension.
“I know the vision for this state. I know how passionate and how central this state is to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As far as maintaining our status aside from being the fastest-growing economy in Nigeria, all efforts that have been put in place to ensure that we reposition this state and take our pride of place in the comity of states in this country are well recognised.
“Your Excellency, my dear leaders who are here, I want to assure you that I will not let you down.
“I promise to keep the flag flying. I promise to retain and maintain the unity, peace, and progress that have taken place in Ogun State for the last three years and beyond. I can assure you I will not derail.
“I will not derail the ship I am about to take over. I will make sure that it does not derail, and by the special grace of God, I will do my best, my utmost best, to keep every member of our great party together, to keep the state together, and to ensure that irrespective of our political alignment, we are one indivisible family.”
He further assured, “Going forward from today, Your Excellency and all the leaders of the party, I want to assure you that a new Ogun State is born, and everything that needs to be done to keep us together, to keep us as one indivisible entity, so that we can take Ogun State to the promised land and to the next level we all desire, will be done.”
State APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi, explained that the meeting was convened to preserve party unity before, during, and after the primaries.
Sanusi underscored the importance of rancour-free primaries, stressing that the aim of the caucus meeting was to ensure all stakeholders were carried along while the party remained together as one ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Recall that late last month, the APC’s consensus arrangement came to light with the party’s top hierarchy and President Bola Tinubu taking the decision on the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Lagos State.
The party stakeholders also reportedly favoured Senator Adeola Yayi for Ogun State, and the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Sharafadeen Alli, for Oyo State.
The decisions reportedly followed a meeting of the APC stakeholders from the three states with President Bola Tinubu in Lagos during the Sallah holiday.
Following Monday’s endorsement of Senator Adeola Yayi by the Ogun State APC as it’s consensus governorship candidate, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, has suspended her governorship ambition.
Former President Obasanjo’s daughter In a statement made available to journalists, announced that she had decided to put her ambition on hold following the party’s endorsement of Senator Yayi as consensus candidate.
Iyabo Obasanjo, who represented Ogun Central between 2007 and 2011 in the Senate, congratulated Senator Yayi, wished him well in his bid to be elected Ogun State’s next governor.
She also thanked the party leaders and all her supporters across the state, commending them for their unwavering steadfastness and support throughout the period of her consultations across the state.
According to her, “At the Ogun APC caucus meeting held today, April 13, 2026, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) was announced as the consensus candidate of our party for the 2027 gubernatorial election.
“I congratulate him and wish him every success. I also thank the state and national leaders of our great party for the opportunity to participate in the nomination process.
“Based on these developments, I have decided to suspend my gubernatorial aspiration.
“To my supporters across Ogun State, I am deeply grateful for your calm, steadfast support and unwavering trust throughout this journey. Together, we move forward with patience, strength and hope.”
