Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly often known as Yayi, is the All Progressives Congress candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election. Having served as senator representing Lagos West from 2015 to 2023 and Ogun West since 2023, Adeola brings greater than 20 years of legislative expertise to the race. He outlines his imaginative and prescient for industrialisation, infrastructure, job creation and inclusive development, arguing that Ogun should retain extra financial worth from companies working inside its borders. He additionally responds to the controversy over his indigeneship and change of title. Wale Igbintade brings the excerpts:
Amid the controversy over your indigeneship and the allegations surrounding your change of title, what verifiable paperwork or official data are you ready to make out there to ascertain your declare that you’re an indigene of Ogun State?”
Let me say this, I can’t be operating for such an exalted workplace and I cannot be confronted with these challenges. People who’re doing this know they’re doing it to discredit and destroy my particular person. There’s what is known as investigative journalism. Where my father was buried is half-hour away from right here (Ikeja), go and examine. It is in Almosho, quantity 3, Ogunsola road, Alagutan, bus cease, in his home, that’s the place he was buried. My mom was buried at Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, there. My grandmother, the mom of my mom, was buried at Ikeja, the burial floor is there. My great-grandfather was buried at Ishaga. So, how can I be operating for a governor’s workplace, and I’ll be having such a giant skeleton in my cabinet, and I’ll be comfy? Having served The Guardian, and I resigned, I left, and any person mentioned, “He did change his name.” Yes, I did change of title, and I did it in The Guardian newspaper. I marketed it in The Guardian; I notified The Guardian newspaper of my change of title. They don’t perceive, as a result of they don’t have anything to struggle with. So, they must say one thing to discredit me, and I’m the candidate to beat. They can’t match me. I don’t wish to be a part of points with them. They don’t have anything to supply. The know Yayi is from Ogun State. What they will do is to destroy Yayi, and those that are from Ogun State have responded, “Let him come from Afghanistan”. We will vote for him.
Now, how did your political journey start?
My sojourn into politics has not been a simple street, however not less than I managed to seek out my degree. Because that was dated again to the June 12, 1993 wrestle. Along the road, I misplaced my fast youthful brother to that riot, and that bought me discouraged. I needed to search for a option to step apart and be sure that I don’t become involved in politics once more. I turned very disheartened and determined to step apart and consider my work. But God has a means of directing one’s path. It is one thing He destined you to do. In 2002, I discovered my means again into politics and contested for the place of member representing Alimosho Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly. I used to be there for eight years.
Judging by my efficiency, I used to be inspired to go to the Federal House of Representatives to symbolize Alimosho Federal Constituency, the place I served for 4 years. Within these 4 years, I used to be in a position to persuade my constituents and, by extension, the management of the state and the present President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, my father, my chief and my mentor, that I used to be ripe sufficient to symbolize the Lagos West Senatorial District in the Senate. By God’s grace and with the assist of my constituents, I represented Lagos West for eight years. Before then, I knew that initially I used to be not from Lagos; I’m from Ogun State. That was evident in all my paperwork and varieties that I crammed. There was no trigger for doubt. I tried to return residence for the primary time, however I met some resistance. Since issues had been working for me in Lagos, it was simple to return and contest the Senate seat there, which I did efficiently. For the second time, I tried to return residence to contest for the governorship of Ogun State. That was additionally met with some resistance, and once more I returned to the Senate from Lagos West. I’m providing you with this historical past in order that you’ll perceive how I ultimately discovered myself in Ogun State.
What ultimately introduced you again to Ogun politics?
For the third time, that was when God answered our prayer. When God opened the way in which and the political alternative got here, I used to be inspired to return residence. At some extent, I used to be requested whether or not I might have an interest in contesting for a Senate seat in Ogun State. I mentioned sure. Initially, I didn’t wish to run for the Senate once more. My intention was to finish my two phrases as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and then put together myself for the governorship. But some folks insisted that it was not doable to attend exterior the political construction. They mentioned I needed to be in a place the place I may stay politically related and then migrate from there to the governorship. It took me a while to deliberate on it. I by no means knew that it was the platform God needed to make use of to raise me to turn out to be governor of Ogun State. When I ultimately determined to run for the Senate, I seen that there was a number of confusion and that a number of folks had been additionally displaying curiosity. I didn’t realise initially that everyone was galvanising themselves round that platform as a doable path to the governorship in the long run. I made a decision to throw my hat into the ring and, graciously, by the particular grace of God, I bought the ticket and received the election. By the tip of that interval, I had spent 12 years in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 24 years as an elected legislator, serving in each Lagos and Ogun states.
What expertise out of your legislative profession do you imagine prepares you for the governorship?
I’ve had the chance of attending to the zenith of the legislative physique, which is the Senate. I additionally served in numerous capacities. In the Lagos State House of Assembly, I used to be Chairman of the Committee on Finance. In the House of Representatives, I used to be Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts. That was whereas I used to be in the opposition occasion as a result of, underneath the foundations of the National Assembly, the opposition historically chairs the Public Accounts Committee. In the Senate, I used to be the pioneer Chairman of the Local Content Committee in the Ninth Senate. In the tenth Senate, I served as Chairman of the Finance Committee. With that have, I imagine I’ve what it takes to manipulate Ogun State and take it to the subsequent degree. Another necessary level is that my senatorial district has by no means produced a governor of Ogun State after 50 years of our existence. I imagine that I’ve the expertise and capability required to supply management at this level in the state’s historical past. Today, I stand earlier than you because the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the February 6, 2027 governorship election.
You have mentioned your ambition is pushed by a ardour to serve. Why ought to Ogun folks imagine that?
My quest to turn out to be governor of the state will not be primarily based on private curiosity. It will not be about enriching myself or occupying an exalted workplace merely to be referred to as governor. It is pushed by ardour to serve. I wish to serve the folks for good. That is why I’ve chosen to interact the fourth property of the realm and different opinion holders. There are a number of points in the political area. You learn one thing about YAYI at this time, one thing concerning the opposition tomorrow, one thing concerning the governor the subsequent day, and so on. But at this time, this offers you a first-hand, one-on-one interplay with the person referred to as YAYI. I would like you to listen to straight from me what I intend to do for Ogun State.
Your growth agenda locations appreciable emphasis on continuity. What precisely do you imply by continuity?
I wish to work with somebody whose expertise has led to some degree of development to Ogun State. I strongly really feel that the subsequent particular person in line ought to come to consolidate on the good points we have now made in the final seven and a half years as a state.
I make daring to say that, underneath the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State has achieved exceedingly effectively. I can testify to that. Of course, folks will ask: if the federal government has achieved effectively, why are there complaints about sure issues? I perceive that. No authorities can fully deal with all of the challenges confronting a state inside a restricted interval in workplace. Governance is concerning the seen and the unseen. The seen are the bodily buildings we see—the roads, hospitals, rail transport and different infrastructure. The unseen are the insurance policies, financial foundations and different issues that, when put collectively and correctly carried out, ultimately give delivery to the seen growth. Under Governor Abiodun, we have now been in a position to set up a robust financial basis. For instance, we have now the proposed $7 billion deep seaport undertaking in Ogun State, with groundbreaking anticipated in November. If that undertaking turns into totally operational in the subsequent few years, you possibly can think about the multiplier impact it would have on the state’s financial system. There can also be the dry port at Kajola and the proposed rail connection from Apapa to Kajola. The greatest dairy farm in Nigeria can also be arising in my native authorities space, beginning with about 5,000 cattle and ultimately growing to a minimal of 15,000 cattle to supply dairy merchandise from Ogun State. A significant furnishings manufacturing firm can also be arising. As we converse, Ogun State is probably the most industrialised state in Nigeria. When Governor Abiodun got here on board, our internally generated income was lower than N100 billion yearly. Today, we’re speaking about round N300 billion a 12 months. There has additionally been oil exploration exercise. We could, in the close to future, be known as an oil-producing state. All this stuff are a part of the inspiration that has been laid. My duty, if elected, will likely be to consolidate on these good points and be sure that the multiplier results are correctly harnessed for the advantage of the folks.
Does continuity imply you plan to proceed every little thing the current administration is doing?
No. I don’t need anyone to misconstrue what I imply by continuity. Continuity doesn’t imply that I wish to take every little thing this administration has deliberate or carried out and say that I need to proceed with it. There are areas I must proceed; I’ll proceed them. There are areas I would like to enhance upon; I’ll enhance them. There are areas I would like to vary; I’ll change them. I’ll introduce new concepts and new initiatives that can put Ogun State on the trail of development. The essence of continuity is that no matter this administration has achieved and must be taken ahead is not going to be deserted just because there’s a change of presidency. Many of the tasks are nonetheless works in progress. A accountable authorities approaching board will consolidate and be sure that these tasks come to fruition. That is what “ITESIWAJU” is about.
What does ITESIWAJU imply in sensible phrases?
ITESIWAJU is the framework for the form of authorities I wish to run. The “I” stands for Infrastructure. The “T” stands for Tourism and Culture. The “E” stands for Education and Environment. The “S” stands for Security and Law Enforcement. The second “I” stands for Inclusive Growth and Well-being. The “W” stands for Women and Youth Development. The “A” stands for Agriculture. The “J” stands for Job Creation and Industrialisation. The “U” stands for Urban Physical Planning and Environment. All these 9 pillars are vital to Ogun State. None of them will be handled in isolation.
When you discuss tourism and tradition, for example, you can’t evaluate Ogun with Lagos as a result of we’re extra of a rural setting and our tradition is effectively appreciated. There are many actions and festivals that happen in Ogun yearly.
The query is: Are we deriving the utmost financial profit from them for the state and its folks? That is an space we wish to give attention to. We wish to flip our cultural and tourism property into financial alternatives.
Let us take infrastructure, which is the primary pillar. What can be your precedence?
Infrastructure consists of roads, rail, housing and transportation. On transport connectivity, we wish to deal first and foremost with interstate connectivity, and subsequently intra-state connectivity. I need a state of affairs the place I can conveniently keep in a nook of my home in Ilaro, get to the bus terminal and take a car straight to Abeokuta. From Abeokuta, I ought to be capable of take one other car to Sagamu, from Sagamu to Ijebu and then again to different components of the state. When you take a look at the geographical location of Ogun State, you’ll perceive the problem. Lagos is completely different. In Lagos, you possibly can transfer from one a part of the state to a different inside a comparatively brief interval. In Ogun, you possibly can spend two hours travelling to the subsequent city. You can journey for one hour and 40 minutes to get to sure components of the state. If you might be coming from Ilaro, you possibly can spend a number of hours getting to a different a part of Ogun. That is how dispersed Ogun State is geographically. So, we have to have an efficient transport system that connects all these areas throughout the shortest doable time. The street community is one space in which lots of people residing in Ogun are challenged. I don’t wish to embark on any street undertaking that won’t lead us anyplace. Yes, there are roads that have to be fastened alongside the way in which, however we wish to give attention to roads that can unlock financial alternatives. For occasion, from Ijoko in Ota, we will put in place a street that can lead straight to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with three bridges and about one kilometre of street. You can think about what meaning to us as a state. Not solely will we open up that hall, however financial actions will spring up round it. You is not going to imagine the affect {that a} single intervention of that nature can have. There are many different examples like that.
What is your plan for Ogun’s border cities, significantly these adjoining Lagos?
The border cities are one other space of curiosity. Presently, Lagos has an higher hand in lots of the border city areas. When you take a look at the Ojodu axis and among the surrounding areas, you will notice that there’s a lot of growth on the Lagos aspect. But on our personal aspect of the divide, we aren’t competing successfully. If I intend to extend the worth of the state and work on the financial system of the state, I need to work on the border cities. That is why I check with city growth, bodily planning and the setting. I can create a brand new Magodo in these border cities that belong to Ogun. The land is there. What is required is the event. It is feasible. I intend to offer consideration to the border cities and be sure that Ogun offers Lagos a run for its cash in phrases of growth. You can think about travelling from the Lagos aspect in the direction of Ogun. Once you strategy the border and get to sure factors, the usual of infrastructure adjustments. That has to vary, and it has to vary instantly.
You have used the situation of the Lagos-Ogun border for instance your environmental considerations. What would you do in another way?
If you might be coming from the mainland in Lagos and travelling in the direction of Ogun, you see a sure degree of environmental cleanliness and organisation. You get to the Ogun aspect and, in some locations, the image adjustments. You see trailers parked alongside the street, folks buying and selling the place they need to not, and actions going down that have an effect on the setting and visitors. Under my watch, that can change. If there are companies that must function there, they need to achieve this in an organised method. You can not have trailers merely taking up the street. If there’s a designated facility the place a trailer can park and the operator is required to pay, then that’s the place the trailer ought to go. We should convey order to the setting. When the setting is clear, you might be completely happy and extra relaxed. When I used to be serving in Lagos, I may go to a lodge and chill out. You may transfer round and really feel comfy. That is what we have to obtain in Ogun. If Lagos can keep that degree of cleanliness on its aspect of the identical street, why can’t Ogun do the identical? Some of us are dedicated to creating certain that our state is clear, organised and higher. I’ll declare a state of emergency on waste administration and assortment. I will even declare a state of emergency on environmental safety. The related businesses must sit up. For occasion, so far as I do know, we shouldn’t have an incinerator in Ogun State. We want to have a look at waste administration comprehensively. Every authorities comes with its personal space of focus. Governor Abiodun has achieved excellently effectively in laying a strong financial basis for the state. My duty will likely be to consolidate on that basis whereas specializing in different sectors that want consideration. I wish to reposition Ogun State not merely as a dumping floor for industries, however as a spot the place folks wish to make investments and stay.
You describe Ogun as probably the most industrialised state, however you’ve got additionally raised considerations about how a lot income the state derives from that industrial base. What is the issue?
Ogun is probably the most industrialised state, little question about it. But does that mechanically translate into income for Ogun? The reply is not any. The industries are right here, however lots of the corporations have their headquarters or regional places of work in Lagos. That means the executives and different employees are primarily based in Lagos. Their salaries are paid in Lagos, and the taxes related to these salaries are paid in Lagos. So, what’s the profit to Ogun? How do I intend to deal with it? Very easy: I’m not asking for extra. Bring the regional places of work to Ogun State. If you wish to function a significant trade in Ogun, convey your regional workplace right here. By that singular motion, you convey middle-level and senior employees to the state. They stay right here, spend cash right here and pay taxes right here. I intend to create a central enterprise district for industries which can be prepared to speculate in Ogun, the place the federal government can facilitate land for regional places of work. If any person approaches me and says he desires to speculate in Ogun State, I’ll embrace that funding. But if the funding is substantial and the corporate goes to make its cash in Ogun, I’ll encourage it to ascertain its headquarters or important regional operations in the state. Ogun shouldn’t merely be a spot the place you make cash and then spend it in Lagos. I imagine a portion of that financial worth belongs in Ogun, and we should always devise legit methods of retaining it. The intention is to make sure that while you come and make investments in Ogun, you additionally work right here and stay right here. That is why I’ve put ahead methods to deal with the setting and housing.
You have made a daring projection about Ogun’s financial potential. What is the premise in your optimism?
In phrases of GDP, Ogun State is already operating an financial system corresponding to that of some nations. Our GDP is about $12 billion. We are ranked among the many main state economies in Nigeria, forward of nations corresponding to Togo and Sierra Leone in phrases of the dimensions of their economies. With the correct of management, a targeted authorities and dedication, Ogun can transfer from about $12 billion to $20 billion and past. Imagine what meaning for the folks. All this stuff—industrialisation, the seaport, agriculture, mining, oil and gasoline exploration and different investments—can contribute to the growth of the financial system. That is why I imagine that, with the precise management, you possibly can think about what Ogun State will appear to be in the subsequent eight years.
Let us flip to job creation. How do you plan to make sure that Ogun’s increasing financial system creates jobs for its folks?
Loads of graduates are popping out of Ogun State with out jobs. We should deal with that. I’m not promising that authorities will make use of everyone. But authorities can create an setting the place jobs are created and also can recruit certified folks the place there are real wants. If, for instance, we recruit 50,000 folks by a clear and merit-based course of, that alone would make a big distinction. Those who qualify ought to undergo checks and the mandatory processes. We even have to have a look at the variety of industries coming into the state on daily basis. People complain that Chinese and different overseas buyers are taking up Ogun. I ask: what’s the logic? The logic is that we have to be sure that our folks take part in the alternatives created by these investments.
Agriculture is one other main part of your agenda. What is your imaginative and prescient for Ogun’s agricultural sector?
Ogun is an agricultural state. We feed different states. What I wish to do is rework agriculture from fundamental manufacturing into agricultural transformation and meals safety. You will start to see high-level mechanised farming. We have already seen tractors, planters and different agricultural tools being offered to farmers. As governor, I cannot name myself a farmer, however I’ll be sure that I run an all-round authorities that addresses each sector of the Ogun financial system. We must work with the personal sector and create commodity exchanges. We must turn out to be the off-taker from farmers. We want to ascertain processing zones. Let me offer you an instance from my city in Ilaro. There is a farmer who buys cocoa from many cocoa farmers. He has acquired a good portion of the produce in the realm. If one particular person can establish the chance, think about what the federal government can do with the precise coverage. We can join with different cocoa-producing states and set up processing services. There will be what I might name a cocoa mall or processing centre the place cocoa will be processed, preserved and ready for the market. Once you protect and course of the product, you discover a buyer for it. We want to maneuver past producing uncooked supplies and promoting them cheaply. We want to supply, course of and market. We must encourage our youths and folks typically to enter agriculture. Government is not going to be the farmer. Government’s duty is to create the enabling setting. We must encourage younger farmers, present high quality loans and empower them. If any person is inspired to turn out to be a farmer and is aware of that, at harvest, authorities or an organised market is able to purchase the produce and pay promptly, that particular person will likely be prepared to farm. It will not be sufficient to inform folks to enter agriculture. They want entry to land, finance, tools, processing and markets. That is the entire worth chain.
Security is one other pillar of your agenda. What is your strategy?
I imagine safety is everyone’s duty. We must convey industries and captains of trade into the safety dialog. When I used to be serving as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, there was a transfer to ascertain a safety belief fund. How will we fund it? You convey collectively the industries and captains of trade and say: come, it is a safety belief fund. You are going to be represented in its administration as a result of we would like you to see precisely what we’re doing. We will not be essentially asking you for money. We can ask industries what tools they will present to assist safety—communication devices, safety tools, autos and different essential gadgets. There needs to be transparency and accountability in the method.
You additionally talked about utilizing income from gaming and lottery. How would that work?
There is a gaming and lottery trade that generates important financial exercise. In Lagos, for example, the state established a framework for regulating the trade. Everybody concerned in gaming and betting ought to register with the state. Once you regulate the sector correctly, a part of the income will be directed into the safety belief fund. If 1000’s of individuals take part in betting, the trade generates important income. The state can legitimately gather the suitable taxes and levies and channel a part of the proceeds in the direction of public security. That is among the methods I intend to assist safety.
You have additionally expressed assist for state police. Why?
I’m in assist of state police. Nobody understands the setting higher than the individuals who stay there. Local safety administration requires information of the terrain, the communities and the folks. That is why I assist state police. I’m additionally completely happy that the President is in full assist of state police and that the constitutional course of for establishing it’s being thought of. Once state police is established, it would give the state higher management over safety administration. For me, that’s a part of true federalism.
What concerning the welfare and motivation of safety personnel?
We should encourage our regulation enforcement personnel. It will not be simple. They work underneath tough circumstances and put their lives in danger. We should be sure that they’ve the tools, communication programs, welfare and assist required to carry out their duties.
Security is not only about giving orders. It is about giving personnel the instruments and motivation to do the job.
Your ITESIWAJU framework additionally speaks about inclusive development and well-being. What does that imply to you?
Development should finally enhance the lives of the folks. It will not be sufficient to say that Ogun is industrialised or that GDP is rising. The query is: what’s the profit to the strange citizen? If the financial system grows, folks ought to have jobs. If industries come, native companies ought to profit. If infrastructure is developed, folks ought to have higher entry to markets and companies. That is what inclusive development means to me. We should be sure that financial growth reaches strange residents and will not be concentrated in the fingers of some.
How do girls and younger folks match into your growth agenda?
Women and youths are vital to the event of Ogun State. We must create alternatives for them to accumulate expertise, begin companies, enter agriculture, take part in trade and profit from the digital and artistic financial system. The authorities ought to create vocational coaching centres and different platforms the place younger folks can purchase sensible expertise.
We shouldn’t have a state of affairs the place a teen finishes college with none employable talent. If somebody is educated in catering, machine operations, know-how, agriculture or one other vocational space, the federal government ought to create alternatives for that particular person to observe and earn a residing.
Government programmes and occasions also needs to patronise individuals who have been educated by such programmes. That is how empowerment turns into sustainable.
Finally, what sort of authorities ought to Ogun folks count on in case you are elected?
They ought to count on a authorities that’s targeted, inclusive and decided to maneuver the state ahead. I’ve mentioned repeatedly that I’ll proceed what must be continued, enhance what must be improved, change what must be modified and introduce new concepts the place essential. I don’t need a authorities that sits in an workplace and is surrounded by sycophants. I wish to stay linked to the folks. I wish to be on the street and perceive what is occurring in the communities.
At the tip of on daily basis, there should be a chance to evaluate what has occurred, what has been achieved and what wants consideration. Leadership is about fixed evaluation. Ogun has monumental potential. We have the land, the commercial base, the agricultural capability, the human assets and the strategic location. What we want is concentrated management that may convey all these benefits collectively.
My ambition will not be merely to turn out to be governor. It is to make use of the chance to construct on what’s working, right what will not be working and create new alternatives for the folks. That is the that means of ITESIWAJU. Ogun should transfer ahead.
