Senator Adeola is a blessing to people of Ogun West senatorial district – Ajibola

Prof. Abdulwahid Ajibola is a patriotic Nigerian clamouring and working for good governance in the country, particularly Ogun State. He’s the founder and Coordinator of a non-governmental organisation, Omoluabi Support for Good Governance Group (OSGGG) Modele’s Compound. He spoke with GBENGA AKINFENWA on the 2027 governorship election and the chances of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola in the state.

The Yewa zone has been unlucky in previous efforts to occupy the state’s number one seat. What’s the problem?
They were not unlucky; rather politics and politicking at play locked them out of the coveted position. In general, challenges faced by the people of Ogun West senatorial district in having one of their own securing the governorship position can be attributed to a combination of factors, including intra-party disagreements, lack of cohesive political strategy, and perhaps insufficient grassroots mobilisation and support.
  
However, it is noteworthy that the main factors one can attribute as the cause of Yewa indigenes not being elected as Ogun State governor since the creation of the state in 1976, in specific terms, were lack of unity of purpose and intention and absence of cohesiveness among the Ogun West people.
 
Hence, this is tantamount to the difficult situation of their inability to present a common front to vie for the number one, coveted seat in the Gateway State.These often led to the presentation of multiple and unpopular candidates, consequential division of votes to the advantage of the other two senatorial districts – Ogun Central and Ogun East, that are mostly known to present and support one vibrant candidate each within the party.
 
These other two zones readily cashed in on those lapses over the years to the detriment of the Yewas. Now, the Yewa people have realised their follies and appear to appreciate where they got things wrong, causing the elusiveness of the governorship position in the past, as politics and politicking have been at play in recent times, with maturity in the Ogun West senatorial zone.

Do you see Senator Adeola breaking the jinx and how will he achieve this?
   Senator Adeola has the potential of breaking the jinx due to his extensive political experience, wide network and strong grassroots support. He is well qualified in terms of the law and achievements towards positively impacting the lives of the people, not only within his Senatorial district but outside the zone. His laudable, landmark and unprecedented achievements resonate across the whole country.
 
His approach would likely involve uniting the party, leveraging on his past achievements and present laudable undertakings. He will be building a robust, strategic campaign structure that resonates with the voters across different demographics. It’s advisable that he does not address the electorate on negative pedestals or frivolities, but rather run issue-based campaigns.
 
His handlers, policy formulators and political advisers must stick to issues of paramount importance to the people of the state. This is where technocrats that abound in the Gateway State have a role to play, and they are expected to rally round him for a successful outing. It’s equally expected of him to grant these experts listening ears for the benefit of all and sundry in Ogun State.
 
The influential power of music on the populace should not also be ignored. As such, Yayi’s campaign team should identify popular musicians, which must include general (secular) as well as gospel, that’s Christian and Muslim singers. They should be enlisted and contracted to support the campaigns for resounding successes. 
 
Let me say this for the record; and mark my words – without unnecessarily being immodest, the jinx has been broken already by Allah’s grace. The Yewa people are united now more than ever. They have absolute trust and faith in the leadership of the Aremo of Yewaland, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.
 
He is a very popular candidate not only among his people in Ogun West, but even across the other two senatorial districts of Ogun State. His good works speak volumes for him in the state, as a man that has been tried with public office, tested with material things and proved that he can be trusted, as he has always been delivering to the recipients even without the latter’s fore-knowledge. These inherent latent virtues have been demonstrated by Yayi on several occasions, with the latest manifestation being the empowerment of 16,000 people among his constituents in Ogun West.
 
This empowerment is unprecedented in the annals of Nigeria, as multitudes benefited in a unique and specific pattern based on their needs. It was not just a blanket distribution of the same item to all. He has singularly demonstrated and portrayed himself as a man of the people showing that he’s committed to their welfare. I mean meeting people at their points of needs; that’s a true leader and a democrat par excellence.
 
With the aforementioned, Yayi is set to break the five decades jinx of the governorship seat eluding Yewa people. He’ll scale the hurdles of the primaries at the party level, flag the party’s (APC) flag at the general election and will go ahead to emerge victorious as the governor with a very wide margin by God’s grace. I’m very much optimistic that he’ll win the gubernatorial elections on a sea-slide by the special grace of God.

Retaining the governorship seat might be a tall order for APC in 2027, based on the performance of the current administration. How prepared is the party to overcome this uphill task?
  Scoring performance is usually subjective and not always objective in our political space. Yayi that I know will achieve this remarkable feat and retain Ogun State for the APC come 2027. This uphill task is surmountable and can be overcome by developing sound, workable and attainable programmes and projects. As we have seen in the recent past, he has not only boosted his image by developing good rapport with the press (both print and electronic), but also continues to heavily invest in his people and ensure a sustainable economy within his communities and among constituents (past and present).
 
It’s in the public domain that he has engaged in welfare programmes that will improve the lives of the entire citizenry, as they are bound to have multiplier effects. Hence, people know Yayi as a reliable, responsive and responsible leader since the time he has been in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
 
However, interaction with the media still needs to be improved upon. His media team should continue to organise regular interviews where he will enunciate his programmes and elucidate on his laudable projects and achievements. This will go a long way in the electorate’s perception of his personality with consequent appreciation of his candidacy, translating to several votes for the APC.
 
I personally believe that at the party level, the All Progressives Congress (APC) should be aware of the challenges ahead. The party should focus on strategic planning to deepen democracy and strengthen internal unity. In addition, there is a need to develop a people’s forum for interactive sessions at various levels of the communities to address the people’s concerns. 

There were rumours that Governor Dapo Abiodun and Yayi are not on good terms. What are the plans to ensure that this doesn’t scuttle the party’s chances?
You mentioned ‘rumours’. You are very correct; just mere speculation, conjectures and grapevine stories. Proponents of these are being merely speculative to entertain their audience.
 
One is not saying that there may not be differences between His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun and his potential successor, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi. It’s expected in any normal human gathering, be it political or social, even between husband and wife in the matrimonial home.
 
However, the existence of differences between two persons or groups of people is not tantamount to fighting or being enemies. What is important is the maturity with which differences are managed to avert crisis. One should be careful of misinterpreting different songs waxed at political gatherings as being suggestive of ill-feelings and in-fighting. These are just mere interludes galore for entertainment to enliven the political environment. However, it has been observed that these two political leaders always rein in their supporters so much that there’s no room for crisis.
 
The duo of Governor Abiodun and Senator Adeola are performing their official duties with due diligence as individuals and jointly, as the situation demands. There is the existence of mutual respect between these two APC leaders. One has observed with keen interest Senator Adeola hosting the governor as the Guest of

Honour in the Ogun West senatorial district to commission projects executed by the latter. What else does one need to show that all is well within APC in Ogun State?
As far as I am concerned, I foresee the APC in the state presenting a common front, one house and as a united family going in for the general election and coming out with laurels of triumph come 2027 by Allah’s grace.

Ogun has been unlucky with governors since after the exit of Chief Segun Osoba. What’s the best way to right this wrong?
  Unlucky? What do you mean? Are you saying Ogun State has not been developed beyond the era of Chief Segun Osoba? I cannot say that Ogun State is unlucky. Government is a continuum, but different people, different strokes. The people of Ogun State have had different leaders occupying the seat of government at different times. The personalities of these politicians often played out as their antecedents, experiences, political acumen and interest on the welfare of the masses make a big difference in the agenda that is set by each administration.
 
What really played out and might have brought the administration of Chief Segun to the limelight among past governors of Ogun State was the focus of his administration on improving the state’s economic landscape and industrialisation.
 
This is a very big plus for Osoba. Successive governors with their peculiarities also performed well to the best of their abilities. Gbenga Daniel prioritised education and health delivery, leading to the establishment and equipping of new schools and hospitals.
 
On his part, the regime of Senator Ibikunle Amosun (SIA) was reputed to have galvanised more funds into the coffers of Ogun State government as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) being a Chartered Accountant. These funds helped tremendously in infrastructural development, especially in the areas of road construction and flyovers.
 
Permit me to re-emphasise that SIA, as my father in Egbaland, left an indelible mark in the annals of the state’s political landscape. This was his innovative idea as the first and only Ogun State governor till date to have successfully constructed flyovers in strategic locations of the entire state for the benefit of the entire citizenry as a legacy. Another Chartered Accountant in person of Yayi is coming as a blessing to the state.
 
Back to the issue of past governors, post Chief Osoba’s regime, Daniel, Amosun and the present Governor Abiodun have done their best. Though some of us might not be satisfied with their efforts, the incumbent has the opportunity of doing better, as he still have till 2027 to work assiduously for people to feel his impact on governance, especially as it relates to infrastructural development and road construction.

 Do you really see Yayi emerging as the flag bearer of your party, considering the division within the party in the state?
There is no division within the party; what exists are differences of opinions, alliances and affiliations peculiar to any structural entities and families. Political party is like a family and as elections approach, there have always been several groups and alliances by unity of purpose and interest. This is expected in a democratic system that promotes free and fair competition.  
 
These differences provide an opportunity for collaboration and cooperation. Thus, this helps facilitate a win-win situation in most instances. Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola has a very strong chance of emerging as the APC’s flag bearer due to his significant political influence and wide grassroots support base.
 
He is expected to emerge victorious at the party’s primary elections with clear margins relative to his fellow contestants (if any). There are likely to be strong contenders vying for the coveted seat, along with Yayi, especially from Ogun Central senatorial district. The party can influence these party faithful to step down and concede the ticket to Yayi. Please, note that whichever way the pendulum swings, Yayi will emerge as APC flag bearer, and win the governorship elections in shaa Allah.

Compared to other past governors, including the incumbent, what is Yayi bringing to the table that will make him the Messiah needed by the state?
Let me first correct the impression that Senator Adeola will perform any magic or miracle to qualify as a Messiah when elected as our governor in Ogun State. In fact, I am always wary of the use of the word Messiah borne out of excessive love for any leader, no matter how pragmatic, resourceful and results-oriented the leader is, lest you unconsciously make the position a burden to him at the end of the day.

Where’s Ogun Central in this Yayi’s calculation?
  Ogun central is an elitist part of the state parading political juggernauts and heavy weights in administration, few of whom might also be interested in running for the position of governor. They are eminently qualified personalities and have that fundamental right as bonafide Ogun indigenes to contest for any position including but not limited to vying for the number one seat of Oke-Mosan as governor within the confines of the law.
 
In the same vein, one does not doubt the capability, character and competence of these eminent Ogun indigenes of Egba extraction. Nonetheless, I am appealing to all and sundry to support Yayi’s candidature as Ogun State governor without let or hindrance, because what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. It’s the turn of Yewa people, ably represented by Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola to govern the Gateway State come 2027.
 
The people of Ogun West senatorial district have been on the sidelines for almost five decades now.That now brings me back to the question of the position of Ogun central people in Yayi’s political calculation. With Yayi coasting to victory in the primaries and general election (in shaa Allah), judging by his present popularity among politicians and the electorate, all eyes are now on the Egba people. Thus, Ogun Central should be a key focus in Yayi’s strategic manoeuvring and political balancing. In recognising its (Ogun Central’s) importance in the electoral landscape, Yayi is expected to engage with stakeholders in the region, address their specific needs and concerns, and ensure that his policies align with the aspirations of Ogun Central indigenes.

It appears you’re so deep in this Yayi 2027 campaign. What’s in it for you as a person?
You are astutely correct. This is a cause that I am very passionate about because of my ardent belief that people like Yayi are those needed at the helm of affairs. As a versatile academician with vast experience in national and regional politics, and as a technocrat, I cannot afford to fold my arms and be just an onlooker when one’s contribution is needed intellectually. Hence, I must be an active participant in the progress, growth and sustainable development of my state. I am very much involved, and I am in the forefront of the Yayi 2027 campaign, because whenever I believe in a cause, I am always totally involved until fruition. This is no exception, and I am leaving no stone unturned until the actualisation of Yayi’s Ogun State governorship aspiration. I count myself fortunate to be a living witness of this moment. I also felicitate with my fellow indigenes and residents of Ogun State that a glowing star is rising from Ogun West to illuminate the entire Gateway State for the benefit of all and sundry at this period of our crucial need in my state.
 
Believe it or not, it’s a blessing on the entire citizenry of Ogun State. I am being driven by my personal conviction that here comes a true representative of the people, a mitigator of masses’ sufferings and a democrat par excellence. I am an advocate of good governance, and as such I cannot do otherwise than to work assiduously for the emergence of this humble gentleman embodying a complete democrat, in the person of the Aremo of Yewaland, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, as the governor of my dear state.