The Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Ogun State has endorsed Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for the 2027 governorship election, citing his development projects and the need to address the political marginalisation of Ogun West.
The socio-cultural organisation also declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and other All Progressives Congress candidates in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Ogun State, Eze Stephen Okorie, announced the decisions during a courtesy visit to Adeola, according to a statement issued on Monday by the senator’s Special Adviser on Media, Chief Kayode Odunaro.
Okorie said the group would formally confer the chieftaincy title of Dike Eji Eje Mba on Adeola at a ceremony scheduled to hold in Abeokuta at the end of October.
He attributed the endorsement to what he described as the senator’s contributions to infrastructure development, particularly road construction and market projects aimed at promoting trade and commerce.
“I have been a resident of Ogun State for the last 36 years, living in Owode-Yewa in Yewa South Local Government Area. We have been watching the politics and development in Ogun State, and based on the massive development that Senator Adeola has attracted to the state in the last three years, particularly in market infrastructure and road construction to promote trade and commerce, the Igbos have no hesitation in endorsing the senator for governor of Ogun State and Tinubu for president in the 2027 election,” Okorie said.
He added that support for Adeola was also informed by the need to address Ogun West’s long-standing exclusion from the state’s governorship, noting that the senatorial district had yet to produce a governor since Ogun State was created.
Okorie said the group believed Adeola would continue his development efforts if elected, adding that his record in Lagos State had also influenced its decision.
“We have heard of your positive story while you were in Lagos in areas of development and humanitarian deeds, and since you came to Ogun State, you are continuing in the same stride. We are confident that as governor, you will do more for the people of the state and all Nigerians resident in the state,” he said.
The Ohanaeze leader disclosed that he had personally erected five campaign billboards for Tinubu and Adeola across Ogun State and produced campaign materials for the senator and the APC.
The organisation said the formal chieftaincy installation would also provide an opportunity to declare its support for APC candidates contesting various positions in the state.
Responding, Adeola recalled the support he received from members of the Igbo community during his political career in Lagos State. He also noted that he had previously received the chieftaincy title of Dike Di Ora Nma from the Eze Ndi Igbo in Lagos.
The senator said his political approach was based on inclusion and the delivery of public infrastructure and services to residents regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.
“My brand of politics is politics of inclusion and delivery of good governance for all the people. When roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure are constructed, it is for the good of all, and all law-abiding Nigerians are welcome to do business and make progress in Ogun State,” Adeola said.
The visit was attended by the APC deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State, Alhaja Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa Balogun; the Minister of State for Health and Social Services, Dr Kunle Salako; the Ogun State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Jimoh Ojugbele; and the APC Ogun West senatorial candidate, among other party representatives.
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