OGUN WEST SENATORIAL DISTRICT AND THE 2027 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION
By Prince Obanla Adewale Olatunji
There are increasing indications of both overt and subtle political interests emerging from Ogun West Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 Ogun State gubernatorial election. Several prominent personalities have featured in public discourse as potential contenders. Notable among them are Her Excellency, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (popularly known as Yayi); Hon. Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade; Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI); and other notable individuals whose names are yet to be publicly disclosed.
Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, FNSE
Her Excellency, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, an Awori indigene of Ota, is the incumbent Deputy Governor of Ogun State. Her potential candidacy is strengthened by the growing advocacy for gender inclusion and affirmative action in governance, as well as the significant voting strength of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area—the largest voting bloc in Ogun State—from which she hails.
Although she has not formally declared her intention to contest, the recent public commendation and encouragement she received from Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, former President of Nigeria, during the 2025 Iganmode Day celebrations, is widely interpreted as a morale booster and a possible political endorsement.
However, some stakeholders have urged caution, drawing lessons from past political experiences. They warn against overreliance on external endorsements that may lack sincerity or be driven by divide-and-rule tactics. Such voices emphasize the need for internal cohesion, political awareness, and collective decision-making within Ogun West to avoid repeating past miscalculations.
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, CFR (Yayi)
Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola’s governorship ambition dates back to 2015, when his bid was stalled during the administration of former Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun. In 2023, he made a successful political transition from Lagos State to Ogun State, winning the senatorial seat for Ogun West while retaining his influential role as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation.
Leveraging this strategic position, Senator Adeola has facilitated numerous infrastructural projects across the district, including roads, markets, town halls, schools, and health centres. He has also implemented empowerment programmes and employment initiatives. His strong grassroots presence and visibility have earned him widespread popularity, making him a household name within Ogun West and beyond.
Hon. Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade
Hon. Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade, a four-term member of the House of Representatives representing Ipokia/Yewa South Federal Constituency, is also a significant figure in the unfolding political landscape. He is widely acknowledged for facilitating employment opportunities for youths, attracting federal institutions to his constituency, and supporting the construction of palaces for traditional rulers, among other interventions.
He previously contested the governorship under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), where he narrowly lost to Senator Ibikunle Amosun—a performance that continues to resonate with his supporters as evidence of his enduring political relevance.
Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI)
Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka began his political career during the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, serving first as Special Assistant on Investment and later as Managing Director of Gateway Holdings Limited. In 2011, following irreconcilable differences between Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo—who supported Gen. Tunji Olurin (rtd.) under the PDP—Isiaka emerged as the governorship candidate of the People’s Party of Nigeria (PPN).
At the time, significant mobilisation support came from groups such as the Yewa-Awori Youth Agenda Forum (YAYAF) and the Association of Clubs and Societies of Ogun West (ACASOW). In 2019, he again contested the governorship under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), this time with the endorsement of Chief Obasanjo.
Other Emerging Stakeholders:
Another potential aspirant, whose name is presently withheld and who currently serves within the present administration, is widely regarded as a philanthropist and strong advocate of human empowerment. He is known for uplifting many sons and daughters of the Yewa/Awori Senatorial District and maintains a commendable public service record.
Ogun West Senatorial Contest:
Beyond the governorship race, several prominent figures are positioning themselves for the Ogun West Senatorial seat. These include Hon. Jimoh Olusola Ojugbele, a three-term member of the House of Representatives from Igbesa; Hon. Waliu Olayiwola Taiwo, the Are Ona Kakanfo of Ota, former member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, former Commissioner, and current Chairman of the Ogun State House of Assembly Service Commission; Hon. Otunba Bola Gbeleyi, former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly and former Chairman of the Governing Board of the Digital Bridge Institute; and Hon. Musefiu Lamidi, former Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government, former Political Adviser to the Governor, and current member of the Ogun State House of Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.
Unity as the Defining Imperative
Ogun West Senatorial District is a rich mosaic of unity in diversity. For peaceful coexistence and sustainable political advancement, there must be mutual respect, shared humanity, and a deliberate shift from mere tolerance to genuine acceptance.
To realise the collective aspiration of producing the next Governor of Ogun State, Ogun West must embrace unity of purpose. This requires harmonised interests, coordinated strategies, and the subordination of personal ambitions to the collective good. Political consensus, mutual understanding, and cooperation remain indispensable to fostering solidarity and positioning the district for success in the 2027 elections.
