‎BY AHMED AKANBI

‎The Ijebu Traditional Council of Obas has unanimously endorsed Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and his running mate, Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.

‎The endorsement was pronounced weekend, during a meeting at the Palace of the Awujale in Ijebu Ode, where Governor Dapo Abiodun presented Adeola and Adegunwa-Balogun, daughter of Asiwaju of Ijebuland, Alhaji Adebola Adegunwa, to the council of 56 traditional rulers.

‎Speaking for the council, the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo, said the decision was based on Adeola’s track record of attracting development to his senatorial district and across Ogun State.

‎Adebajo recalled that the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, had during the last Ojude Oba Festival before his passing pledged to support Adeola’s governorship ambition in recognition of his transformative role in Ijebuland through infrastructure and intervention projects.

‎”The Ijebu Traditional Council of Obas stand by this promise of the revered late Awujale and will leave no stone unturned to support Senator Adeola Yayi’s ambition, not for selfish purposes but for the best interest of Ijebuland and the state at large,” the monarch declared.

‎He added that the Olu of Ilaro and Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, had also reached out to the Ijebu council seeking support for Adeola. According to him, the council assured the Yewa paramount ruler of its undivided backing.

‎Governor Abiodun described the meeting as historic, noting he was presented to the same council by former Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba about eight years ago. He said Adeola possesses the character, intelligence and leadership skills needed to sustain the state’s progress.

‎”I have found a worthy successor in Senator Olamilekan Adeola. He is someone who ticks all the boxes. I was looking for someone with business experience, political maturity, mental maturity and leadership skills. Someone who would comfortably step into my shoes and continue in the same trajectory that governance has taken in the last seven years,” Abiodun stated.

‎In his response, Senator Adeola thanked the governor, party leadership and traditional rulers for the endorsement, pledging to sustain the current administration’s development agenda and consolidate Ijebuland’s economic growth, citing the planned deep seaport at Waterside and the Coastal Road project as key opportunities for the area.

‎The APC flag bearer said consultations with traditional institutions and stakeholders would continue across the three senatorial districts to promote unity, inclusive governance and sustainable development ahead of 2027.