Breaking 49 Years of Lamentations: Why Ogun West Must Take Its Turn in 2027

Opinion:

BY DR. M.A. AKINDE

Lamentations! Lamentations!! Lamentations!!!

The long years of lamentation that have clouded and dumbfounded Ogun West for failing to produce a Governor since the creation of Ogun State on February 3, 1976, are now banished and over.

Ogun State, carved out of the former Western State with Abeokuta as its capital, is famously known as the Gateway State to the Republic of Benin through routes such as Ota-Idiroko, Agbara-Badagry, Ipokia, Ilaro-Oja Odan, and Imeko-Ilaara. Yet, painfully and ironically, Ogun West remains the only senatorial district that has never been given the opportunity to lead the state since 1976.

Despite being the true gateway to the Republic of Benin, Ogun West has remained without a Governor – not by fate, but largely due to collective selfish interests, individualism, carelessness, poor calculations, lack of strategy, and failure to clearly identify and pursue the right political path to reclaim what rightfully belongs to the district.

However, this time, destiny appears to have smiled on Ogun West. Divinely, a MESSIAH has emerged – one sent to take the baton from past leaders and from the highly cerebral current Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, and lead Ogun State forward.

It can no longer be business as usual. Since 1976, Ogun West has serially lost gubernatorial elections and appointments to the point where failure has become an unfortunate label. The 2027 election cannot be treated like a casino – one chance to win or lose. A loss would only usher in another painful round of lamentations, God forbid.

Our approach must now be intentional, deliberate, bold, and fearless. Power will not be served à la carte; it must be taken – even from the lion’s mouth. For me, the era of lamentation is over. With a divine MESSIAH in place, it is time for calculated and purposeful action toward winning the 2027 gubernatorial election. Ogun West must not lament again in 2027.

Historical facts show that Ogun West has contested gubernatorial primaries and general elections repeatedly, only to lose perpetually due to several factors:

1. Persistent division of votes within Ogun West;

2. Accepting deputy governorship positions that further weakened unity;

3. Waiting for financial backing from Ogun East and Ogun Central;

4. Voter registration apathy and inability to mobilize people to vote;

5. Lack of evidence-based development credentials to convince other districts;

6. Failure of indigenes to return home with their families to register and vote.

INEC registration is ongoing – what deliberate actions are we taking?

Providentially, we now have a candidate with a clear vision for the development of the entire Ogun State, extending support even to historic towns like Odogbolu via Ososa, the home of the legendary Pa Ogunde of the theatre Olympus. I salute the strategic and deliberate movement of this great political icon. I commend our Distinguished Senator for spreading trust and confidence across the two other senatorial districts – something unprecedented in Ogun State politics.

Never before has a gubernatorial aspirant traversed the length and breadth of Ogun State, building bridges and earning respect across all districts. The momentum witnessed at the recent Oronna Ilaro Festival, Akesan Day celebration in Iperu, his presence in Kenta – his maternal heritage – in support of the Alake of Egbaland, and the anticipation surrounding the forthcoming Isaga Day in Ogun West all attest to this growing acceptance.

Empirical evidence clearly shows that gubernatorial elections are not tea parties. They are not won by token donations or by waiting for sponsors. A late political associate of my late father during the NPN and UPN era of the 1980s and 1990s once said that a serious gubernatorial candidate must be able to drop ₦1 billion and be ready to burn it – while still bringing more. If ₦1 billion was required then, today we may be talking of ₦100-₦300 billion or more to win elections in 2027.

Therefore, Ogun West elites, educationists, and professionals must stop lamenting and speak plainly. The best candidate from Ogun West for the 2027 gubernatorial election – one who meets all the critical criteria listed above – is the Most Distinguished Senator, Dr. Adeola Olamilekan Solomon (Yayi), FCA, FCTI, FPPI, Aremo of Yewaland and an Isaga son, currently representing Ogun West at the National Assembly.

The rats in the house must cry out loudly to the rats in the bush: without pretence or sentiment, the BEST MAN for the job is Senator Adeola Olamilekan Solomon, popularly known as Yayi, the Onisaga Okumase.

This submission is evidence-based. Politics is about development, and even the blind can testify to the remarkable projects and interventions the Senator has attracted across Ogun West and Ogun State at large. He understands how to leverage Ogun State’s proximity to Lagos for statewide development.

He is a progressive leader with a proven eye and passion for the development of all three senatorial districts in Ogun State.

We must stop lamenting. The time to offer unflinching support to this great political leader is NOW.

*Dr. Akinde M. A., FCA, FCTI, ACS, writes from Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State, Nigeria.