Yayi meets Iyabo Obasanjo, Ishola, seeks support for Ogun governorship bid

The adopted consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, on Monday met with Iyabo Obasanjo and former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, seeking their support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Obasanjo and Ishola were among APC governorship aspirants before the April 13 strategic caucus meeting of the party, where Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the third-term senator representing Ogun West as the party’s consensus candidate.

Yayi, during separate visits to Obasanjo and Ishola in Abeokuta on Tuesday, was accompanied by two former deputy governors, Segun Adesegun and Salmot Badru.

Others in the entourage included Lekan Mustapha, Derin Adebiyi, former APC chairman, the immediate past Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Iyabode Apampa, Adijat Adeleye, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, Jagunmolu Akande Omoniyi, and the Commissioner for Housing, among others.

Speaking during the meeting held at Obasanjo’s Hilltop GRA residence, Abeokuta, Adeola commended the former Commissioner of Health for her “maturity and magnanimity” in accepting the party’s decision.

Adeola said, “Shortly after the party picked me as the consensus governorship candidate, my dear sister, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo issued a public statement aligning with the party and promised to work with me.

“I felt so happy and honoured that I had to call her immediately and thank her for showing such uncommon magnanimity, and I pledged to also work with her and her team.

“I felt that to whom much is given, much is expected, and this is why I am here this afternoon to see her and her team and see how we can all work together for the greatness of our dear state. So I am here not to reconcile because here is someone who had already congratulated my choice by the party, but I am here to give that assurance that we shall work together.

“I am here to say I am part and parcel of the Iyabo Obasanjo caucus team. There is nothing to worry about. We have done nothing since I was picked; we never discussed anything with anyone, everything is on the table and we shall all work together by the special grace of God.

“I know you have good intentions for the greatness of our dear state. I am ready to inherit that project, I am ready to listen to you, take over that blueprint that you have and use it to uplift our dear state.

“I won’t let you down. Your people will be part of the meeting, and as I have always said, nobody will be left behind by the special grace of God. So, let’s remain united and keep working for the greatness of our party and the state.”

Responding, Obasanjo said she had already instructed her supporters to work for the success of the party, adding that she would also support Adeola, President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, and other APC candidates.

Similarly, Adeola met with Ambassador Ishola, during which 24 political support groups that previously backed the former minister reportedly collapsed their structures in support of his governorship ambition.

Speaking during the visit, Yayi described Ishola as a “dependable leader” who has contributed significantly to the development of the state and the country.

He said, “I am here to pay my homage to a reliable and dependable leader that has worked for many years for the greatness of the state. I am here to seek his support and I am grateful for the advice and counsel needed to navigate the trouble water of politics that I have received from him.

“I thank you for the declaration of the support group to now work for me. I know the meaning of the support group, it is a big deal that the support group that has hitherto been working for Ambassador Ishola have decided to work for me.

“I appreciate you all for this massive support; it is all pointing to the success that is waiting for us at the polls. It means that these people who have come from every part of the state are here to preach the gospel of Yayi across the state. I believe that with your support, we can take the state to the next level. I won’t take your support for granted.”

In his remarks, Ishola said his support for Adeola’s emergence as consensus candidate was based on the need to end what he described as “hostile succession” in the state’s political history.

He said, “From Chief Olusegun Osoba to Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to Sen Ibikunle Amosun and the incumbent, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the change of leadership has always been enmeshed in crisis or the other.

“But I said this must stop. During the announcement of Sen Adeola as the consensus governorship candidate, the three former governors, Chief Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Sen Ibikunle Amosun and the incumbent were all there and supported the party’s decision, no dissenting voice and this is what I have been asking that we do in our dear state.”

He added that he also supports Ogun West producing the next governor, noting that unity among aspirants from the zone strengthens their chances.

Ishola further said he was satisfied that Ogun West aspirants had now agreed to speak with one voice in support of Adeola’s candidacy.