Nine transport unions operating in Ogun State, on Thursday endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Solomon Adeola, popularly called Yayi, ahead of the 2027 general elections in the state.
The unions, under the aegis of the Transport Unions Alliance for Yayi, announced their support at a rally held at the Ake Palace Pavilion in Abeokuta.
The unions included the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Ogun State Park Management Services Limited and Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria.
Others were the Articulated Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Organisation, Tricycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria, Three Wheelers Operators and Riders Association, and Riders and Owners of Tricycle Organisation.
According to the Chairman of the planning committee and State Secretary of RTEAN, Tiwalade Akingbade, the APC governorship hopeful’s endorsement marked the first time the transport unions had collectively backed a gubernatorial candidate.
“This is historical because this is the first time we are coming out to endorse a governorship candidate,” Akingbade said.
He said the unions decided to support Senator Yayi because of his antecedents and capacity, rather than ethnic or sectional considerations.
Akingbade added, “The incoming governor, sir, we are doing this not because we are only a son of a certain part of Ogun State, not because you come from a certain section that has been marginalised for the past 50 years.
“We are doing this because you are capable and we have seen antecedents.”
The planning committee chairman expressed the unions’ confidence that the APC flagbearer could sustain the state’s development, adding that the theme of the gathering, “Consolidation of Proven Capacity and Competence,” reflected their assessment of the candidate.
“We know you are competent. We know you are capable. We know you can do it,” he said.
Akingbade further stated that all nine union chairmen had signed the endorsement card presented to Adeola.
“On behalf of all the transport unions in the state, we are endorsing you today. And all nine transport union chairmen in the state have appended their signatures,” he said.
Also speaking, the National President of ACOMORAN, Alhaji Shamsudeen Apelogun, said the unions’ decision to endorse Senator Yayi demonstrated their political awareness and importance to the state’s economy.
Apelogun described transport operators as major stakeholders in Ogun State with both the organisation and numerical strength to influence political choices.
He said that the unions were “powerful and organised groups” that could use their votes to support candidates they believed deserved their backing.
Apelogun also called for greater attention to roads and transportation, noting that an efficient transport system would strengthen economic activity across the state.
He however cautioned against allowing transport unions to become instruments of political division, urging members to assess the records and antecedents of candidates seeking public office before deciding whom to support.
Senator Adeola, in his response, promised to sustain the state’s development trajectory if elected Governor, assuring that Ogun residents should expect further growth.
“I can tell you that the people of Ogun State are about to witness the biggest development in the history of this state,” he said.
The APC flagbearer promised to consolidate the achievements of the current administration and take the state further.
“We will continue to grow higher and higher and higher and higher. We can never relinquish this state to mediocrity, to power grabbers, to people who only want to satisfy their personal gain. Ogun State deserves better,” he said.
Senator Yayi thanked the transport unions for their endorsement, describing their support as an indication of their desire for continuity.
Also addressing the gathering, Governor Dapo Abiodun, described the APC governorship hopeful’s endorsement as “truly unprecedented and historic,” saying the unity displayed by the unions was significant for the state.
“today, we are standing here hand in hand in unity. We are all here. All the transport unions collectively and individually are here.”
The governor noted that the development demonstrated stability and continuity in Ogun State.
He added, “Something unprecedented in the 50-year history of this beloved state. Stability.
“This speaks to continuity. This speaks to socio-economic development. This speaks to investor confidence because investors are looking at Ogun State and they are saying nothing will change.”
The Governor also appealed to transport operators not to increase fares arbitrarily, saying his administration had invested heavily in infrastructure to support their businesses.
He said the state government had constructed or reconstructed more than 1,700 kilometres of roads and implemented a multimodal transport master plan.
Abiodun said, “For you transport unions, we have reconstructed or constructed over 1,700 kilometres of roads across the length and breadth of this state.
“We have, by so doing, created an enabling environment for your sector to not only thrive but to succeed.”
