The Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Ogun State has endorsed President Bola Tinubu and Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for the 2027 presidential and governorship elections, respectively.
The socio-cultural organisation also bestowed the chieftaincy title of Dike Eji Eje Mba on Adeola in recognition of his contributions to the development of Ogun State.
The President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Ogun State, Eze Stephen Okorie, disclosed this on Sunday when he led a five-man delegation on a courtesy visit to the senator to inform him of the honour, according to a statement issued on Monday by Chief Kayode Odunaro, the Special Adviser on Media to Adeola.
Okorie reportedly said the installation ceremony, scheduled to hold in Abeokuta at the end of October, would also feature the formal endorsement of Adeola and a declaration of support for all All Progressives Congress candidates in the state.
He attributed the group’s decision to what he described as Adeola’s developmental strides, particularly in road construction and market infrastructure.
“I have been a resident of Ogun State for the last 36 years, living in Owode-Yewa in Yewa South Local Government Area. We have been watching the politics and development in Ogun State, and based on the massive development that Senator Adeola has attracted to the state in the last three years, particularly in market infrastructure and road construction to promote trade and commerce, the Igbos have no hesitation in endorsing the senator for governor of Ogun State and Tinubu for president in the 2027 election,” Okorie said.
He added that he had personally constructed five campaign billboards for Tinubu and Adeola across the state and produced campaign materials for the senator and the APC.
Okorie said the support for Adeola was also informed by the need to address what he described as the marginalisation of Ogun West, which has yet to produce a governor since the creation of the state.
He added, “We have heard of your positive story while you were in Lagos in areas of development and humanitarian deeds, and since you came to Ogun State, you are continuing in the same stride. We are confident that as governor, you will do more for the people of the state and all Nigerians resident in the state.”
The Ohanaeze leader, who addressed the gathering in a mixture of Igbo, Yoruba and English, said the organisation was convinced that Adeola would sustain his developmental efforts if elected governor.
In his response, Adeola recalled the support he received from the Igbo community during his political career in Lagos State, noting that he had also been honoured with the chieftaincy title of Dike Di Ora Nma by the Eze Ndi Igbo in Lagos.
He said his approach to politics was based on inclusion and the delivery of good governance to all residents, irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds.
“My brand of politics is politics of inclusion and delivery of good governance for all the people. When roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure are constructed, it is for the good of all, and all law-abiding Nigerians are welcome to do business and make progress in Ogun State,” the senator said.
The courtesy visit was attended by the APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in Ogun State, Alhaja Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa Balogun; the Minister of State for Health and Social Services, Dr Kunle Salako; the Ogun State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele; and the APC Ogun West senatorial candidate, among other party candidates.
—By Taiwo Bankole
