Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly often known as Yayi, is the All Progressives Congress candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election. Having served as senator representing Lagos West from 2015 to 2023 and Ogun West since 2023, Adeola brings greater than 20 years of legislative expertise to the race. He outlines his imaginative and prescient for industrialisation, infrastructure, job creation and inclusive progress, arguing that Ogun should retain extra financial worth from companies working inside its borders. He additionally responds to the controversy over his indigeneship and change of title. Wale Igbintade brings the excerpts:
Amid the controversy over your indigeneship and the allegations surrounding your change of title, what verifiable paperwork or official data are you ready to make out there to ascertain your declare that you’re an indigene of Ogun State?”
Let me say this, I can’t be operating for such an exalted workplace and I can’t be confronted with these challenges. People who’re doing this know they’re doing it to discredit and destroy my individual. There’s what is known as investigative journalism. Where my father was buried is half-hour away from right here (Ikeja), go and examine. It is in Almosho, quantity 3, Ogunsola road, Alagutan, bus cease, in his home, that’s the place he was buried. My mom was buried at Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, there. My grandmother, the mom of my mom, was buried at Ikeja, the burial floor is there. My great-grandfather was buried at Ishaga. So, how can I be operating for a governor’s workplace, and I’ll be having such an enormous skeleton in my cabinet, and I’ll be snug? Having served The Guardian, and I resigned, I left, and anyone stated, “He did change his name.” Yes, I did change of title, and I did it in The Guardian newspaper. I marketed it in The Guardian; I notified The Guardian newspaper of my change of title. They don’t perceive, as a result of they don’t have anything to struggle with. So, they need to say one thing to discredit me, and I’m the candidate to beat. They can’t match me. I don’t need to be part of points with them. They don’t have anything to supply. The know Yayi is from Ogun State. What they will do is to destroy Yayi, and those that are from Ogun State have responded, “Let him come from Afghanistan”. We will vote for him.
Now, how did your political journey start?
My sojourn into politics has not been a simple street, however no less than I managed to search out my degree. Because that was dated again to the June 12, 1993 wrestle. Along the road, I misplaced my quick youthful brother to that riot, and that acquired me discouraged. I needed to search for a approach to step apart and make it possible for I don’t get entangled in politics once more. I turned very disheartened and determined to step apart and consider my work. But God has a manner of directing one’s path. It is one thing He destined you to do. In 2002, I discovered my manner again into politics and contested for the place of member representing Alimosho Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly. I used to be there for eight years.
Judging by my efficiency, I used to be inspired to go to the Federal House of Representatives to signify Alimosho Federal Constituency, the place I served for 4 years. Within these 4 years, I used to be capable of persuade my constituents and, by extension, the management of the state and the present President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, my father, my chief and my mentor, that I used to be ripe sufficient to signify the Lagos West Senatorial District in the Senate. By God’s grace and with the help of my constituents, I represented Lagos West for eight years. Before then, I knew that initially I used to be not from Lagos; I’m from Ogun State. That was evident in all my paperwork and kinds that I stuffed. There was no trigger for doubt. I tried to return house for the primary time, however I met some resistance. Since issues have been working for me in Lagos, it was simple to return and contest the Senate seat there, which I did efficiently. For the second time, I tried to return house to contest for the governorship of Ogun State. That was additionally met with some resistance, and once more I returned to the Senate from Lagos West. I’m providing you with this historical past in order that you’ll perceive how I finally discovered myself in Ogun State.
What ultimately introduced you again to Ogun politics?
For the third time, that was when God answered our prayer. When God opened the way in which and the political alternative got here, I used to be inspired to return house. At a degree, I used to be requested whether or not I’d have an interest in contesting for a Senate seat in Ogun State. I stated sure. Initially, I didn’t need to run for the Senate once more. My intention was to finish my two phrases as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and then put together myself for the governorship. But some folks insisted that it was not potential to attend outdoors the political construction. They stated I needed to be in a place the place I might stay politically related and then migrate from there to the governorship. It took me a while to deliberate on it. I by no means knew that it was the platform God needed to make use of to raise me to turn out to be governor of Ogun State. When I finally determined to run for the Senate, I seen that there was a whole lot of confusion and that a number of folks have been additionally displaying curiosity. I didn’t realise initially that everyone was galvanising themselves round that platform as a potential path to the governorship in the longer term. I made a decision to throw my hat into the ring and, graciously, by the particular grace of God, I acquired the ticket and received the election. By the top of that interval, I had spent 12 years in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and 24 years as an elected legislator, serving in each Lagos and Ogun states.
What expertise out of your legislative profession do you consider prepares you for the governorship?
I’ve had the chance of attending to the zenith of the legislative physique, which is the Senate. I additionally served in numerous capacities. In the Lagos State House of Assembly, I used to be Chairman of the Committee on Finance. In the House of Representatives, I used to be Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts. That was whereas I used to be in the opposition social gathering as a result of, beneath the principles of the National Assembly, the opposition historically chairs the Public Accounts Committee. In the Senate, I used to be the pioneer Chairman of the Local Content Committee in the Ninth Senate. In the tenth Senate, I served as Chairman of the Finance Committee. With that have, I consider I’ve what it takes to manipulate Ogun State and take it to the following degree. Another essential level is that my senatorial district has by no means produced a governor of Ogun State after 50 years of our existence. I consider that I’ve the expertise and capability required to supply management at this level in the state’s historical past. Today, I stand earlier than you because the gubernatorial candidate of the APC in the February 6, 2027 governorship election.
You have stated your ambition is pushed by a ardour to serve. Why ought to Ogun folks consider that?
My quest to turn out to be governor of the state isn’t primarily based on private curiosity. It isn’t about enriching myself or occupying an exalted workplace merely to be referred to as governor. It is pushed by ardour to serve. I need to serve the folks for good. That is why I’ve chosen to interact the fourth property of the realm and different opinion holders. There are a whole lot of points in the political house. You learn one thing about YAYI at this time, one thing concerning the opposition tomorrow, one thing concerning the governor the following day, and so on. But at this time, this provides you a first-hand, one-on-one interplay with the person referred to as YAYI. I would like you to listen to instantly from me what I intend to do for Ogun State.
Your growth agenda locations appreciable emphasis on continuity. What precisely do you imply by continuity?
I need to work with somebody whose expertise has led to some degree of development to Ogun State. I strongly really feel that the following individual in line ought to come to consolidate on the features we’ve made in the final seven and a half years as a state.
I make daring to say that, beneath the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State has carried out exceedingly nicely. I can testify to that. Of course, folks will ask: if the federal government has carried out nicely, why are there complaints about sure issues? I perceive that. No authorities can fully handle all of the challenges confronting a state inside a restricted interval in workplace. Governance is concerning the seen and the unseen. The seen are the bodily constructions we see—the roads, hospitals, rail transport and different infrastructure. The unseen are the insurance policies, financial foundations and different issues that, when put collectively and correctly carried out, ultimately give start to the seen growth. Under Governor Abiodun, we’ve been capable of set up a robust financial basis. For instance, we’ve the proposed $7 billion deep seaport challenge in Ogun State, with groundbreaking anticipated in November. If that challenge turns into totally operational in the following few years, you’ll be able to think about the multiplier impact it can have on the state’s financial system. There can also be the dry port at Kajola and the proposed rail connection from Apapa to Kajola. The greatest dairy farm in Nigeria can also be arising in my native authorities space, beginning with about 5,000 cattle and ultimately rising to a minimal of 15,000 cattle to supply dairy merchandise from Ogun State. A serious furnishings manufacturing firm can also be arising. As we communicate, Ogun State is essentially the most industrialised state in Nigeria. When Governor Abiodun got here on board, our internally generated income was lower than N100 billion yearly. Today, we’re speaking about round N300 billion a 12 months. There has additionally been oil exploration exercise. We might, in the close to future, be known as an oil-producing state. All these items are a part of the muse that has been laid. My duty, if elected, might be to consolidate on these features and make sure that the multiplier results are correctly harnessed for the good thing about the folks.
Does continuity imply you plan to proceed every thing the current administration is doing?
No. I don’t need anyone to misconstrue what I imply by continuity. Continuity doesn’t imply that I need to take every thing this administration has deliberate or carried out and say that I need to proceed with it. There are areas I must proceed; I’ll proceed them. There are areas I would like to enhance upon; I’ll enhance them. There are areas I would like to alter; I’ll change them. I’ll introduce new concepts and new initiatives that may put Ogun State on the trail of progress. The essence of continuity is that no matter this administration has achieved and must be taken ahead is not going to be deserted just because there’s a change of presidency. Many of the initiatives are nonetheless works in progress. A accountable authorities approaching board will consolidate and make sure that these initiatives come to fruition. That is what “ITESIWAJU” is about.
What does ITESIWAJU imply in sensible phrases?
ITESIWAJU is the framework for the sort of authorities I need to run. The “I” stands for Infrastructure. The “T” stands for Tourism and Culture. The “E” stands for Education and Environment. The “S” stands for Security and Law Enforcement. The second “I” stands for Inclusive Growth and Well-being. The “W” stands for Women and Youth Development. The “A” stands for Agriculture. The “J” stands for Job Creation and Industrialisation. The “U” stands for Urban Physical Planning and Environment. All these 9 pillars are important to Ogun State. None of them will be handled in isolation.
When you discuss tourism and tradition, as an illustration, you can not evaluate Ogun with Lagos as a result of we’re extra of a rural setting and our tradition is nicely appreciated. There are many actions and festivals that happen in Ogun yearly.
The query is: Are we deriving the utmost financial profit from them for the state and its folks? That is an space we need to deal with. We need to flip our cultural and tourism belongings into financial alternatives.
Let us take infrastructure, which is the primary pillar. What could be your precedence?
Infrastructure contains roads, rail, housing and transportation. On transport connectivity, we need to deal first and foremost with interstate connectivity, and subsequently intra-state connectivity. I desire a state of affairs the place I can conveniently keep in a nook of my home in Ilaro, get to the bus terminal and take a automobile straight to Abeokuta. From Abeokuta, I ought to have the ability to take one other automobile to Sagamu, from Sagamu to Ijebu and then again to different elements of the state. When you take a look at the geographical location of Ogun State, you’ll perceive the problem. Lagos is completely different. In Lagos, you’ll be able to transfer from one a part of the state to a different inside a comparatively brief interval. In Ogun, you’ll be able to spend two hours travelling to the following city. You can journey for one hour and 40 minutes to get to sure elements of the state. If you’re coming from Ilaro, you’ll be able to spend a number of hours getting to a different a part of Ogun. That is how dispersed Ogun State is geographically. So, we have to have an efficient transport system that connects all these areas inside the shortest potential time. The street community is one space in which lots of people residing in Ogun are challenged. I don’t need to embark on any street challenge that won’t lead us wherever. Yes, there are roads that must be fastened alongside the way in which, however we need to deal with roads that may unlock financial alternatives. For occasion, from Ijoko in Ota, we will put in place a street that may lead straight to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with three bridges and about one kilometre of street. You can think about what meaning to us as a state. Not solely will we open up that hall, however financial actions will spring up round it. You is not going to consider the impression {that a} single intervention of that nature can have. There are many different examples like that.
What is your plan for Ogun’s border cities, significantly these adjoining Lagos?
The border cities are one other space of curiosity. Presently, Lagos has an higher hand in most of the border city areas. When you take a look at the Ojodu axis and a number of the surrounding areas, you will note that there’s a lot of growth on the Lagos aspect. But on our personal aspect of the divide, we aren’t competing successfully. If I intend to extend the worth of the state and work on the financial system of the state, I need to work on the border cities. That is why I consult with city growth, bodily planning and the surroundings. I can create a brand new Magodo in these border cities that belong to Ogun. The land is there. What is required is the event. It is feasible. I intend to offer consideration to the border cities and make sure that Ogun offers Lagos a run for its cash in phrases of growth. You can think about travelling from the Lagos aspect in direction of Ogun. Once you method the border and get to sure factors, the usual of infrastructure adjustments. That has to alter, and it has to alter instantly.
You have used the situation of the Lagos-Ogun border as an example your environmental issues. What would you do in a different way?
If you’re coming from the mainland in Lagos and travelling in direction of Ogun, you see a sure degree of environmental cleanliness and organisation. You get to the Ogun aspect and, in some locations, the image adjustments. You see trailers parked alongside the street, folks buying and selling the place they need to not, and actions going down that have an effect on the surroundings and site visitors. Under my watch, that may change. If there are companies that must function there, they need to achieve this in an organised method. You can not have trailers merely taking on the street. If there’s a designated facility the place a trailer can park and the operator is required to pay, then that’s the place the trailer ought to go. We should convey order to the surroundings. When the surroundings is clear, you’re blissful and extra relaxed. When I used to be serving in Lagos, I might go to a lodge and calm down. You might transfer round and really feel snug. That is what we have to obtain in Ogun. If Lagos can keep that degree of cleanliness on its aspect of the identical street, why can’t Ogun do the identical? Some of us are dedicated to creating certain that our state is clear, organised and higher. I’ll declare a state of emergency on waste administration and assortment. I will even declare a state of emergency on environmental safety. The related businesses must sit up. For occasion, so far as I do know, we don’t have an incinerator in Ogun State. We want to take a look at waste administration comprehensively. Every authorities comes with its personal space of focus. Governor Abiodun has carried out excellently nicely in laying a stable financial basis for the state. My duty might be to consolidate on that basis whereas specializing in different sectors that want consideration. I need to reposition Ogun State not merely as a dumping floor for industries, however as a spot the place folks need to make investments and dwell.
You describe Ogun as essentially the most industrialised state, however you’ve got additionally raised issues about how a lot income the state derives from that industrial base. What is the issue?
Ogun is essentially the most industrialised state, little question about it. But does that mechanically translate into income for Ogun? The reply is not any. The industries are right here, however most of the corporations have their headquarters or regional places of work in Lagos. That means the executives and different employees are primarily based in Lagos. Their salaries are paid in Lagos, and the taxes related to these salaries are paid in Lagos. So, what’s the profit to Ogun? How do I intend to deal with it? Very easy: I’m not asking for extra. Bring the regional places of work to Ogun State. If you need to function a serious trade in Ogun, convey your regional workplace right here. By that singular motion, you convey middle-level and senior employees to the state. They dwell right here, spend cash right here and pay taxes right here. I intend to create a central enterprise district for industries which can be prepared to speculate in Ogun, the place the federal government can facilitate land for regional places of work. If anyone approaches me and says he desires to speculate in Ogun State, I’ll embrace that funding. But if the funding is substantial and the corporate goes to make its cash in Ogun, I’ll encourage it to ascertain its headquarters or vital regional operations in the state. Ogun mustn’t merely be a spot the place you generate profits and then spend it in Lagos. I consider a portion of that financial worth belongs in Ogun, and we should always devise reliable methods of retaining it. The intention is to make sure that while you come and make investments in Ogun, you additionally work right here and dwell right here. That is why I’ve put ahead methods to deal with the surroundings and housing.
You have made a daring projection about Ogun’s financial potential. What is the premise in your optimism?
In phrases of GDP, Ogun State is already operating an financial system akin to that of some nations. Our GDP is about $12 billion. We are ranked among the many main state economies in Nigeria, forward of nations reminiscent of Togo and Sierra Leone in phrases of the dimensions of their economies. With the proper of management, a targeted authorities and willpower, Ogun can transfer from about $12 billion to $20 billion and past. Imagine what meaning for the folks. All these items—industrialisation, the seaport, agriculture, mining, oil and gasoline exploration and different investments—can contribute to the enlargement of the financial system. That is why I consider that, with the best management, you’ll be able to think about what Ogun State will appear like in the following eight years.
Let us flip to job creation. How do you plan to make sure that Ogun’s increasing financial system creates jobs for its folks?
A number of graduates are popping out of Ogun State with out jobs. We should handle that. I’m not promising that authorities will make use of all people. But authorities can create an surroundings the place jobs are created and may recruit certified folks the place there are real wants. If, for instance, we recruit 50,000 folks by a clear and merit-based course of, that alone would make a major distinction. Those who qualify ought to undergo assessments and the mandatory processes. We even have to take a look at the variety of industries coming into the state daily. People complain that Chinese and different international traders are taking on Ogun. I ask: what’s the logic? The logic is that we have to make sure that our folks take part in the alternatives created by these investments.
Agriculture is one other main element of your agenda. What is your imaginative and prescient for Ogun’s agricultural sector?
Ogun is an agricultural state. We feed different states. What I need to do is rework agriculture from primary manufacturing into agricultural transformation and meals safety. You will start to see high-level mechanised farming. We have already seen tractors, planters and different agricultural gear being offered to farmers. As governor, I can’t name myself a farmer, however I’ll make it possible for I run an all-round authorities that addresses each sector of the Ogun financial system. We must work with the personal sector and create commodity exchanges. We must turn out to be the off-taker from farmers. We want to ascertain processing zones. Let me offer you an instance from my city in Ilaro. There is a farmer who buys cocoa from many cocoa farmers. He has acquired a good portion of the produce in the world. If one particular person can establish the chance, think about what the federal government can do with the best coverage. We can join with different cocoa-producing states and set up processing amenities. There will be what I’d name a cocoa mall or processing centre the place cocoa will be processed, preserved and ready for the market. Once you protect and course of the product, you discover a buyer for it. We want to maneuver past producing uncooked supplies and promoting them cheaply. We want to supply, course of and market. We must encourage our youths and folks usually to enter agriculture. Government is not going to be the farmer. Government’s duty is to create the enabling surroundings. We must encourage younger farmers, present high quality loans and empower them. If anyone is inspired to turn out to be a farmer and is aware of that, at harvest, authorities or an organised market is able to purchase the produce and pay promptly, that individual might be prepared to farm. It isn’t sufficient to inform folks to enter agriculture. They want entry to land, finance, gear, processing and markets. That is the entire worth chain.
Security is one other pillar of your agenda. What is your method?
I consider safety is all people’s duty. We must convey industries and captains of trade into the safety dialog. When I used to be serving as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, there was a transfer to ascertain a safety belief fund. How will we fund it? You convey collectively the industries and captains of trade and say: come, this can be a safety belief fund. You are going to be represented in its administration as a result of we wish you to see precisely what we’re doing. We should not essentially asking you for money. We can ask industries what gear they will present to help safety—communication devices, safety gear, automobiles and different crucial gadgets. There ought to be transparency and accountability in the method.
You additionally talked about utilizing income from gaming and lottery. How would that work?
There is a gaming and lottery trade that generates vital financial exercise. In Lagos, as an illustration, the state established a framework for regulating the trade. Everybody concerned in gaming and betting ought to register with the state. Once you regulate the sector correctly, a part of the income will be directed into the safety belief fund. If hundreds of individuals take part in betting, the trade generates vital income. The state can legitimately acquire the suitable taxes and levies and channel a part of the proceeds in direction of public security. That is likely one of the methods I intend to help safety.
You have additionally expressed help for state police. Why?
I’m in help of state police. Nobody understands the surroundings higher than the individuals who dwell there. Local safety administration requires data of the terrain, the communities and the folks. That is why I help state police. I’m additionally blissful that the President is in full help of state police and that the constitutional course of for establishing it’s being thought of. Once state police is established, it can give the state higher management over safety administration. For me, that’s a part of true federalism.
What concerning the welfare and motivation of safety personnel?
We should encourage our legislation enforcement personnel. It isn’t simple. They work beneath tough circumstances and put their lives in danger. We should make sure that they’ve the gear, communication programs, welfare and help required to carry out their duties.
Security isn’t just about giving orders. It is about giving personnel the instruments and motivation to do the job.
Your ITESIWAJU framework additionally speaks about inclusive progress and well-being. What does that imply to you?
Development should finally enhance the lives of the folks. It isn’t sufficient to say that Ogun is industrialised or that GDP is rising. The query is: what’s the profit to the strange citizen? If the financial system grows, folks ought to have jobs. If industries come, native companies ought to profit. If infrastructure is developed, folks ought to have higher entry to markets and providers. That is what inclusive progress means to me. We should make sure that financial growth reaches strange residents and isn’t concentrated in the arms of some.
How do girls and younger folks match into your growth agenda?
Women and youths are important to the event of Ogun State. We must create alternatives for them to amass abilities, begin companies, enter agriculture, take part in trade and profit from the digital and artistic financial system. The authorities ought to create vocational coaching centres and different platforms the place younger folks can purchase sensible abilities.
We mustn’t have a state of affairs the place a teen finishes college with none employable talent. If somebody is skilled in catering, machine operations, expertise, agriculture or one other vocational space, the federal government ought to create alternatives for that individual to apply and earn a dwelling.
Government programmes and occasions also needs to patronise individuals who have been skilled by such programmes. That is how empowerment turns into sustainable.
Finally, what sort of authorities ought to Ogun folks count on if you’re elected?
They ought to count on a authorities that’s targeted, inclusive and decided to maneuver the state ahead. I’ve stated repeatedly that I’ll proceed what must be continued, enhance what must be improved, change what must be modified and introduce new concepts the place crucial. I don’t want a authorities that sits in an workplace and is surrounded by sycophants. I need to stay linked to the folks. I need to be on the street and perceive what is occurring in the communities.
At the top of daily, there should be a possibility to evaluation what has occurred, what has been achieved and what wants consideration. Leadership is about fixed evaluation. Ogun has monumental potential. We have the land, the commercial base, the agricultural capability, the human assets and the strategic location. What we want is concentrated management that may convey all these benefits collectively.
My ambition isn’t merely to turn out to be governor. It is to make use of the chance to construct on what’s working, appropriate what isn’t working and create new alternatives for the folks. That is the which means of ITESIWAJU. Ogun should transfer ahead.
