The Ijebu Traditional Council of Obas has unanimously endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2027 gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State, Senator Olamilekan Adeola Solomon, popularly known as Yayi, and his deputy, Alhaja Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa Balogun, for the 2027 election in the state.
The council also backed the senatorial bid of the incumbent Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, to represent Ogun East Senatorial district in the 11th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The endorsement was pronounced by the Ijebu Traditional Council of Obas during a meeting at the Palace of the Awujale in Ijebu Ode on Friday, July 10, 2026, during which the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, presented Senator Olamilekan Adeola Solomon and his deputy, Alhaja Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa Balogun, who is the daughter of Asiwaju of Ijebuland, Alhaji Adebola Adegunwa, to the council.
Speaking on behalf of the 56 traditional rulers of Ijebu who made up the Ijebu Traditional Council of Obas, the Orimolusi of Ijebu-Igbo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Lawrence Jaiyeoba Adebajo, declared that the APC candidate has the full backing of all the traditional rulers, considering the tremendous achievements, contributions and the development he has attracted not only to his senatorial district but Ogun State as a whole.
Adebajo disclosed that the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, during the last Ojude Oba Festival before his passing, had pledged to raise the hand of Senator Adeola Yayi as the next Governor of Ogun State and had pledged to throw his weight behind his candidacy owing to his transformative role in improving the fortunes of Ijebu through good infrastructure and several other intervention projects.
He added that 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.
Orimolusi also revealed that the Olu of Ilaro, His Majesty, Alayeluwa Oba (Dr.). Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, who serves as the paramount ruler of Yewaland and the Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Obas, has reached out to the Ijebu Traditional Council of Obas, seeking support for Senator Yayi, and the council has assured him of their undivided support.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described the day and the meeting as historic, recalling how he was presented to the same traditional council by the former governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, about eight years ago.
He described Senator Adeola Yayi as the perfect man for the job, a man of character and intelligence with great leadership skills who will hit the ground running from day one as Governor.
“I have found a worthy successor in Senator Olamilekan Adeola. He is someone who ticks all the boxes. In my search for a successor, I was not looking for someone beholden to me. I was looking for someone with business experience, political maturity, mental maturity and leadership skills. I was not looking for someone who is still babysitting. I was looking for someone who would comfortably step into my shoes and continue in the same trajectory that governance has taken in the last 7 years,” he said.
In his remarks, Senator Adeola Yayi expressed profound appreciation to the governor and the party leadership for choosing him as the consensus candidate.
He pledged to sustain the good works of the current administration and thanked the traditional rulers for the support extended to the governor over the years.
He also pleaded for support for his aspiration, urging them to join hands with him to continue the good works and take the state to the next level.
Senator Adeola Yayi reiterated his commitment to inclusive governance and pledged to continue engaging critical stakeholders across Ogun State as preparations gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“Ijebuland is already at the stage of economic growth. I want to assure you that if elected, I am ready to consolidate that economic growth. I am aware of the plan to construct the deepest seaport at the Waterside community. This project puts Ijebu Ode at an economic advantage. I must ensure that, as governor, it comes to pass. We know that Ogun State will soon become an oil-producing state. We know what the governor has done to make it a reality. We also know how the Coastal Road, being constructed by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, will connect to the waterside community. As governor, I promise to leverage these economic benefits. I want to assure you that I would build on what the governor has achieved. I desire to ensure that I develop the economy of Ijebuland to the extent that it would contribute not only to the GDP of the state but to the entire country and the continent at large,” he said.
The ancient city of Ijebu Ode witnessed an overwhelming outpouring of support, with residents, party faithful and supporters trooping out on major streets to welcome Yayi.
The visit offered the APC flagbearer a valuable opportunity to interact with community leaders, party stakeholders and residents, seeking their prayers, support and counsel as consultations continue across the three senatorial districts.
The meeting with the Ijebu Traditional Council of Obas is part of Senator Adeola’s ongoing consultations with traditional institutions and key stakeholders across Ogun State, reaffirming his commitment to engaging with critical leaders as part of efforts to promote unity, inclusive development and sustainable progress.
The meeting was attended by members of the Ijebu Traditional Council of Obas and leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State.
