2027: YAYI PROMISES CONTINUITY, UNVEILS DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Ogun State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has unveiled a nine-pillar development agenda ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District and chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriation, unveiled the agenda, tagged “Itesiwaju for Ogun State,” while meeting with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Abeokuta.

He called for continuity in governance, saying successive administrations should build on viable projects started by their predecessors rather than abandon them because of political differences.

Adeola cited Lagos State as an example, arguing that continuity in governance since the return to democracy in 1999 had contributed to the state’s development in areas such as infrastructure, transportation, revenue generation and urban development.

He said Ogun State could also benefit if successive governments completed worthwhile projects inherited from previous administrations.

According to him, abandoning projects whenever there is a change of government could delay development, adding that projects should be assessed based on their benefits to residents rather than the administration that initiated them.

The APC candidate also urged all governorship candidates to make the 2027 campaign issue-based by clearly presenting their plans for youth development, women’s empowerment, industrialisation, agriculture, infrastructure, security, job creation and economic growth.

Adeola said voters should be allowed to assess candidates based on their programmes and plans for the state.

He subsequently unveiled his proposed “Itesiwaju” development framework, which he said was developed after extensive consultations with residents across Ogun State.

The acronym ITESIWAJU represents Infrastructure; Tourism and Culture; Economic Empowerment; Security and Welfare; Inclusive Growth and Well-being; Women, Youth and Poverty Eradication; Agriculture and Food Security; Job Creation and Industrialisation; and Urbanisation and Transparency.

Adeola said the agenda was intended as a comprehensive development framework rather than simply a document for seeking political office.

He said it took about three years to develop the plan and was based on consultations with thousands of people across the state.

The senator maintained that Ogun had the human and economic resources required for further development and said his interest in the governorship was driven by his desire to contribute to the state's progress.

Adeola also addressed the controversy over his ancestral roots, describing it as political manoeuvring by opponents and saying it would not distract him from his plans for the state.

He said he remained focused on his vision for Ogun and would not be intimidated or blackmailed by the controversy.

Speaking earlier, the Ogun State IPAC Chairman, Comrade Abayomi Sanyaolu, commended Adeola's engagement with stakeholders across the state.

Sanyaolu also urged governorship candidates to avoid inflammatory language and personal attacks during the election campaign.

He called on the candidates to present their manifestos and allow the electorate to assess their programmes based on issues.