Ogun State is one of the states created in February 1976. Since its inception, the seat of elected governors has been rotated between Ogun East and Ogun Central senatorial districts, to the exclusion of Ogun West. However, Ogun West is a major economic hub covering in the state with about 37 per cent of the state’s landmass. In this interview, the coordinator of Ogun West Professionals, Ajiroba Sunday Oladapo Oke, declares that the area is ready to source an electable candidate come 2027 and tackle the impediments of lack of cohesion and unity that have plagued the people all along. BIOLUWATIFE AKINYEMI brings the excerpts:WHY is your group agitating for the leadership of Ogun State?
Ogun West Professionals comprises professionals of Ogun West origin, both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, who are committed to regional development and political equity. It is a coalition of accomplished individuals from diverse sectors committed to the advancement and development of the Ogun West Senatorial District. The group, which is newly created, is focusing on promoting the interests, development, and political representation of the Ogun West Senatorial District in Ogun State, Nigeria, and plays a key role in mobilizing professionals and stakeholders from the region. Our main objective is to push for equity, especially in state leadership, to correctthe historical marginalization of the region.
Are your members concerned about the level of development in the Ogun West senatorial district, oris its all about powershift?
Our members are deeply concerned about the levels of development in the Ogun West Senatorial District. Our advocacy is, therefore, rooted in a shared frustration over what we perceived as decades of neglect and underdevelopment compared to other zones in Ogun State.
Members in our meetings frequently highlight the poor state of roads, inadequate healthcare facilities, and limited access to human capital development. Despite Ogun West hosting major industrial hubs like Agbara and Ota, members argued that the economic benefits are not equitably reinvested in the local communities. We are deeply concerned about the lack of job opportunities and youth empowerment programs, which leads to the migration of talent to other regions or abroad. We believe that government institutions and services are disproportionately concentrated in other regions, leaving Ogun West underserved.
So how do you describe the agenda of your organisation in Ogun?
Our goal is not just political power, but sustainable development and inclusive governance that benefits all parts of the state. Development is not just a side issue; it is central to our mission. The agenda of the group is to present a common front before 2027.
But your senatorial district has been bogged down by divisions. Do you think the professionals can break the jinx and unite the people this time?
In politics, certain things are normal, including multiple aspirations by interested contenders. This is because politics is a game of interest apart from being a game of numbers, but all aspirants are equally endowed; hence, among many contestants, there will always be one among others who will clearly tower above the others as the best among equals. There will also be pretenders who are in the race for mere recognition and perhaps in the belief that they could be settled with other offices.
How do you want to make sure you bring out your best candidates ahead of the 2027 election?
In Ogun wWest the coast is very clear as regards who our consensus candidate should be. We have seen all the contenders in our region, and we know which particular candidate is having the overwhelming popularity and acceptance across the state. Everybody in the region knows who the candidate is, and we in the Professionals group have unanimously resolved to throw our support behind that particular candidate. We have held the referendum during our meetings, and we have selected the candidate. This would be disclosed and unveiled at the upcoming media chat programme in Ilaro.
The upcoming Media Engagement Programme, scheduled to hold on Sunday 1st, February 2026, is an important event designed to foster constructive dialogue with the Senator representing the good people of Ogun West, Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola. The event is intended to have feedback from our Senator and to give the general public a feel of his landmark achievements in quality representation and in the unprecedented infrastructure development he has brought to our district.
Members of the profession are aware of his numerous monumental developmental strides and his roles in promoting good governance, transparency, and regional development as a respected voice in the Nigerian Senate. The programme, therefore, will be invaluable in inspiring meaningful discourse and galvanizing support for initiatives that will further uplift our district and enhance our chances of being victorious in the 2027 Governorship election. We want to as well use the occasion to appreciate Senator Adeola for attracting so much development to our region and to present him a special award as a mark of our appreciation for his good and quality representation.
So, how do you intend to achieve consensus ahead of the 2027 election?
For the avoidance of doubt, all the past leaders in the state, including the incumbent governors of Ogun State, were products of party leadership consensus arrangements with open affirmation after party leadership’s caucus endorsement. To do otherwise is like shooting the breeze or finding the needle in a haystack. Governor Olabisi Onabanjo was endorsed by Papa Awolowo before the orchestrated electoral college votes.
Aremo Olusegun Osoba was produced from the Ijebu Igbo and Ayepe leadership caucus of Afenifere- controlled SDP and AD parties’ leadership, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was endorsed from the Vaso Rock Villa when the then sitting President Olusegun Obasanjo was in charge.
His Excellency Governor Ibikunle Amosun was also endorsed by the powers in Bourdillion cum ACN leadership caucus. Let’s not forget that the incumbent governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun’s candidacy was cooked and served from the Abuja power center.
It suffices, therefore, to note that the issue of the party’s consensus arrangements had been part of our electoral history. It is a process whereby candidates are endorsed by the leadership caucus before being presented to the party for open affirmation in the primary elections. The rule of the game is clear: you either align your political interests along the party lines of thought, or you get consumed with your ambition.
Let me also reflect that despite the endorsements, some recalcitrant candidates with their supporters usually still go ahead to challenge party decisions at the open primary without success. However, it must be noted that history has not recorded a singular event where the party’s consensus candidate lost at the primary since it is usually the voice of the oracle. People should, therefore, note that the issue of consensus candidates is not a new creation in our party system and in the electoral history of our state, Ogun.
Ogun West Professionals is among the stakeholders who will decide who our consensus candidate should be, hence the need for the group to endorse and promote its preferred candidate before the general public and party leadership. I assure you, this will be done soon.
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