The Senior Special Assistant to Ogun State Governor on Public Communications, Otunba Dare Odufowokan, has said Senator Olamilekan Solomon “Yayi” possesses the requisite legislative and governance experience to consolidate the achievements of the Prince Dapo Abiodun administration and ensure continuity in 2027.
Odufowokan made this known on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, during The Platform programme on Fresh 107.9 FM Abeokuta.
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He described 2027 as a “decisive year” for Nigeria and Ogun State, noting that the direction for the state was already clear: continuity of the APC’s governance model.
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“For the past seven to seven and a half years, Ogun State has enjoyed qualitative leadership under Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun. His administration has transformed the fortunes and image of the state for the better. Other states have looked at Ogun and taken lessons from what has been achieved,” he said.
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According to him, Governor Abiodun has shown that the path for 2027 “should be one of continuity. It should be the continuation of the good governance we currently enjoy under another governor from the same political platform — the All Progressives Congress.”
Odufowokan stated that the announcement of Senator Yayi as the APC consensus candidate was “warmly received and widely accepted” because the people want to “preserve and build upon the achievements of Prince Dapo Abiodun.”
He further hinged the choice on equity and rotation, arguing that Remo, Ijebu and Egba have all produced governors.
“Now, Governor Dapo Abiodun believes it is time for Yewa to produce a governor. That is why he says the governorship should move to the Yewa-Awori axis through Senator Olamilekan Solomon Yayi,” he said.
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The governor’s aide also said this consensus had enabled a historic feat: a peaceful succession.
“Check the records. I doubt if there has ever been an instance in Ogun State where an outgoing governor remained in office while the incoming governor was sworn in. By the grace of God, come May 29, 2027, we are going to witness, for the first time, a peaceful succession. His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, will still be in office as Distinguished Senator Olamilekan Solomon Yayi is sworn in,” Odufowokan stated.
Speaking on the opposition, he said the PDP may be fielding a popular candidate from Remo, but “elections are not won simply because someone is popular.” He cited the Yoruba adage “Ajoje o dun b’eni kan ori je” to argue against another eight years in Ogun East after Senator Gbenga Daniel and Governor Abiodun’s 16 years combined.
“I am almost completely convinced that the people of Ogun State do not want the governorship to remain in Ogun East for another eight years… We believe our brothers in Yewa deserve their own opportunity to lead the state. That is fairness,” he said.
On Yayi’s capacity to govern, Odufowokan highlighted the senator’s legislative background as a major advantage.
“As governor, you must constantly work with the legislature. Therefore, understanding how that institution operates is a major advantage. He understands budgeting, financial management, and appropriation processes. He has served in the Lagos State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate,” he noted.
He explained that as former Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Yayi’s role was to ensure the national budget was “properly processed, scrutinized, documented, and passed,” an experience that would make governance smoother and improve relations with the Ogun State House of Assembly.
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Addressing allegations that Yayi worked against Yewa’s interest in past elections, Odufowokan said the senator remained loyal to the APC because he believed it was “the best platform through which Yewa could eventually produce a governor.”
On Governor Abiodun’s legacy, he said the outgoing governor would be remembered for inclusive development.
“Governor Dapo Abiodun will be remembered as a governor who gave his very best and exceeded many expectations. He strengthened the foundations laid by his predecessors while also laying new foundations for future generations. Every part of Ogun State has benefited from his projects and programmes. The backlog of pension payments has been reduced significantly. Youth empowerment has received unprecedented attention,” Odufowokan said.
He added that the APC’s performance at the national level under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda also strengthens the party’s position ahead of 2027.
