Yayi, Truly Representing His People

Tunde Salako

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (fondly called Yayi) tickles the fancy of his Ogun West Senatorial District. Guess what? Last week, he proposed a Bill for the establishment of a college of Geological Sciences and Cement Studies, Iselu, in Yewa North Local Government area of Ogun State. Having passed the first reading in the Senate, the district is excited that the College will bring development to the State as a centre of research for solid mineral exploration.

What a great accomplishment?  The good news here is that the bill has already passed the first reading waiting to be presented for the second reading at the Senate before it will be referred to a public hearing for further legislative input.

Adeola’s foresight in proposing the bill is a further demonstration of his innate capacity for innovative idea, legislative competence, purposeful representation as well as genuine deserve for good governance. From Lagos State House of Assembly where he began his political career as a lawmaker through Lagos West district and to the Ogun West Senatorial District, which he is currently representing, his name has continued to resonate as one of the highflyer lawmakers who make the current National Assembly thick. In his immediate constituent, his reputation for philanthropy and purposeful representation has no equal. By proposing the new bill, he has added another feather to his cap.

Optimism is high that the bill will receive expeditious passage by the lawmakers because, among several other mineral endowments, Ogun West is richly endowed with large deposit of lime which is an essential raw material for cement production. When eventually approved, the college will be a veritable centre for learning and research. More importantly, it will improve the economy of the State and the country at large and by extension, enhance the quality of life and living conditions of the people of the area.

The timing for the proposed legislation is even more auspicious, especially now that the Federal Government has showed renewed commitment to the diversification of the economy from oil dependence to mineral development.

In his antecedents as a lawmaker, Yayi has proved his mettle for outstanding performance. And to that extent, one can say that Ogun State does not need to look too far to find a worthy successor of Governor Dapo Abiodun for the continuity of his developmental agenda, ISEYA. Coincidentally, he is from Yewa/Awori section of the State whose turn it is to produce the next governor of the state based on the principle of fairness, equity and justice. Since 1976 when the state was created, Ogun West remains the only zone that has yet to produce the governor. This is not for lack of qualified persons but due to deliberate policy of the powers that be.

But this time around, we have a listening governor who is ready to give every section of the state a true sense of belonging. He would surely address the perceived marginalization of Yewa/Awori (Ogun West) people which has been going on for 47 years of the existence of the State.

Gladly, the tribunal has delivered its judgment in the case filed by the candidate of the opposition PDP in the March 18, 2023 governorship election, Oladipupo Adebutu, challenging the victory of Governor Abiodun. With the verdict of the Court on the petition, the coast is now clear for the smooth run of the new administration ending in 2027.

Some people will say it is too early to begin to scheme for 2027. Yes, four year is a long time. But in politics, the end of one election is the beginning of another one. It is, therefore, not out of place so see some prominent indigenes of Ogun West leading the clamour for the power shift to the Yewa/Awori. The need for early preparation is to ensure unity of purpose among the stakeholders in the zone.     To break the jinx, some eminent personalities from Awori recently held a meeting where they insisted that an Awori indigene must succeed the incumbent Governor, Dapo Abiodun, in the 2027 election.

They spoke at a roundtable conference with the theme: “Awori political mandate: understanding and untangling the internal complexity ahead of 2027”, organised by the “Awori4OgunGov2027 Movement” in Ota, Ogun State.

The convener, Azeem Salako, said the aim of the conference was to discuss strategies and plans for an Awori indigene to become the next governor of Ogun State in 2027, emphasizing the need for unity of purpose, strong political will, effective planning, collaboration, traditional rulers’ support, among others. These, he said, were vital for the constituency to take the seat of power in 2027.

The lead speaker at the event, Prof. Jelili Atiku, expressed optimism that an Awori indigene would succeed incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun if its leaders work together with relevant stakeholders.

He said: “If our leaders do not work together, we will not make progress. We must understand that development starts when you are close to power in the circle of those who have power, but the Aworis are not in the circle of those who have power, so there’s no way they are going to get development, and this has systematically progressed to remove the Awori and make us aliens in our land despite our endowments, political power still eludes the Awori.”

The don further stressed the need for traditional rulers to be involved in the struggle

, saying that with their support, it would be achievable.

“The question must also extend to our traditional rulers and ask them if they are ready to collaborate with us to achieve the 2027 goal, and with that, the power to control the state in 2027 should be achievable,” he added.

Chairman of the conference, Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Council, Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, Lagos, Prof. Rasheed Kola Ojikutu, quoting the 2006 census, declared that the Awori population had made it imperative to participate as a major stakeholder in the quest for and attainment of political power in Ogun State.

According to him, Awori accounts for 48 per cent of the population in the Ogun West senatorial district and also occupies most places in the zone, which consists of five local government areas.

Other discussants such as a former commandant at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Capt. Oladipupo Ojikutu; Mr. Falohun Adegbenro; Mr. Akingbola Peters; Mr. Macaulay Tobi, and Mr. Adefolarin Ojugbele, among others, harped on cooperation, credible candidates, unity and solid financial base so that the seat of power could be taken in 2027 by an Awori indigene.

Similarly, another concerned group, the Yewa/Awori indigenes under the aegis of the Ogun West Grassroots Alliance (OGWA) has thrown its weight behind the agitation for the zoning of the governorship ticket to Ogun West.  The Convener of the group, Bolaji Adeniji, at a recent press conference, said the group had taken a cursory look at the existential realities within Ogun State and seen that there existed the opportunity for a better deal for the people of Yewa-Awori as a subset.

He stressed that “Without equivocation, Ogun West deserves a better deal than it is getting at this time.” Adeniji, therefore, called on the Olu Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the head of Awori monarchs, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, Olota of Ota, “to rally their colleagues, chiefs and subjects to support their sons, for there is no better time than now

These initiatives underscore the need for sustainable action plan. Power, they say, is not served alacarte. Our people must be united, they must be focused and they must present a common front at all times. Presenting a common front begins with supporting a consensus but credible candidate with track record of performance. It will be naïve and presumptuous for anybody to think that there will be no opposition to the quest for a power shift. However, as a popular Yoruba adage says, “charity begins at home.” If there is unity of purpose and collective support for a credible candidate, it won’t be difficult to leverage on the disposition of Governor Abiodun towards an equitable power sharing to secure the buy-in of other people from the rest part of the state.

Without pre-empting the decision of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), some like-minds are already touting Senator Adeola as a successor of Governor Abiodun. This is not to undermine the rights of other array of stars from Ogun West who can provide quality leadership the state deserves after the tenure of Governor Abiodun. Rather, it is because Yayi stands in a good stead to take the shot. Although he has not made a formal declaration of his intent, every finger is pointing in his direction as a worthy successor who can sustain the good work the present administration of Governor Abiodun is doing.

Several factors will work in favour of Adeola as a suitable candidate for the governorship position. First, his support base is spread across the state. As a household name, he has his imprints in virtually all the nooks and crannies of the state through one form of project or the other. His philanthropic gesture equally knows no bound. He is a man of the people with massive grassroots support. The easy with which he moved his senatorial seat from Lagos West Senatorial District to Ogun West in the last general election bears an eloquent testimony to his goodwill. It’s by no mean feat. No other person has achieved that level of acceptance in the history of the state.

Secondly, in terms of capacity for performance, Adeola is a tested and trusted hand. If he has achieved all that he has achieved as a lawmaker, he will certainly do better in an executive capacity. His visionary leadership, his credential as a fellow of Chartered Institute of Account of Nigeria (ICAN), his wealth of experience in governance and track record of performance already prepared him for the job.         

Above all, he has the financial wherewithal to take the shot at the exalted position. Of course, governorship contest is not necessarily for the highest bidders. At the same time, campaign funding cannot come in handy unless the candidate has enough deep pocket to support his aspiration.

All of these have accounted for the reason the traditional rulers, youth groups, religious bodies, political associates and other well-meaning indigenes of Yewa/Awori have been keeping their eyes on Adeola as a successor of Governor Abiodun. His current performance is quite remarkable and outstanding. He has over the years contributed his quota to the development of his Ogun West Senatorial District and Ogun State in general.

Salako writes from Okeagbede in Imeko-Afon LGA of Ogun State and can be reached on 09077265740.