By Olanrewaju Agiri
The Leader of the Tinubu Faithful Group and National Director-General of the Oduduwa Support Groups Organisation, Hon. Otunba Olusola Orelaja, has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus governorship candidates in Ogun and Lagos States—Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat—describing their emergence as a reflection of party unity and strategic leadership.
Orelaja gave the commendation following the APC strategic caucus meeting held on April 13, 2026, at the party’s state secretariat along Abiola Way in Abeokuta.
At the meeting, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, formally unveiled Senator Adeola as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election after months of consultations and political negotiations.
According to Orelaja, the decision to adopt Adeola was largely driven by the need to promote equity and fairness within the state, particularly by giving the Ogun West Senatorial District (Yewa-Awori) the opportunity to produce a governor for the first time since the state’s creation over five decades ago.
He disclosed that the consensus process involved extensive consultations with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and key stakeholders, including elder statesman and former governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba.
The process, he noted, also witnessed rare alignment among past and present political leaders, with notable figures such as former governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun in attendance—an indication of growing unity within the party.
Orelaja further revealed that several aspirants from Ogun West stepped down in the interest of party cohesion and to present a formidable candidate. Among them were Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade, Mrs. Iyabo Obasanjo, and Hon. Kayode Amusan, all of whom cited the need for collective progress and confidence in Adeola’s leadership capacity.
Speaking on Adeola’s credentials, Orelaja highlighted his extensive legislative experience, having represented both Lagos West and Ogun West in the Senate, as well as his current role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He described these as strong indicators of competence, national relevance, and capacity to deliver impactful governance.
He also praised Adeola’s track record of grassroots development, noting his widely recognized empowerment initiatives, including medical outreach programmes, scholarship schemes, vocational support, infrastructure development, and distribution of agricultural equipment and transportation tools.
According to Orelaja, these efforts have earned Yayi widespread acceptance and positioned him as a strong contender for the governorship.
Reaffirming the mission of the Oduduwa Support Groups Organisation, Orelaja stated that the group remains committed to supporting credible Yoruba candidates across the Southwest who demonstrate capacity for development and people-oriented leadership.
He concluded by calling on political stakeholders and citizens across Ogun State, the Southwest, and Nigeria at large to embrace unity, fairness, and collective progress.
He also invited the public to attend the forthcoming inauguration and press conference of the Oduduwa Support Groups Organisation scheduled to hold on April 22, 2026, at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, Oyo State.
