Yayi: Ogun APC’s Best Political Decision For 2027 – By Azuh Arinze
Politics, at its finest, is the art of making the right decisions at the right time for the greatest collective good. And in Ogun State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to have done exactly that with the emergence of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola – popularly known as Yayi – as its consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
His emergence is not just another political endorsement; it is a strategic and historic decision that may define the future of Ogun State politics for years to come.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, with the backing of elder statesmen and former governors including Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel, and Ibikunle Amosun, on Monday, April 13, 2026, threw their collective weight behind Yayi in what many observers have described as a rare moment of political unity in Ogun APC.
That endorsement becomes even more significant considering the calibre of the leaders involved – men who have, at different times, shaped Ogun’s political architecture and often stood on opposing sides of the divide. For such influential stakeholders to converge on one name speaks volumes about the confidence they have in Yayi’s capacity, competence, and electability.
Equally telling was the decision of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo to step down from the race following the consensus arrangement, further consolidating support around Adeola and reinforcing the growing belief that the party has found its strongest standard-bearer.
Unlike many politicians who rise through happenstance, Yayi’s political journey has been one of steady growth, strategic relevance, and consistent performance.
From the Lagos State House of Assembly to the House of Representatives, then to the Senate, representing Lagos West, and now Ogun West Senatorial District, his political trajectory reflects a man who has earned his stripes through service, and not sentiment.
His transition from Lagos politics to Ogun politics was initially met with skepticism in some quarters. Critics questioned whether a man whose political career blossomed in Lagos could truly command grassroots loyalty in Ogun. Today, those doubts have largely evaporated.
Yayi has not only entrenched himself politically in Ogun; he has become one of the most influential and visible politicians in the state. His extensive grassroots engagement, strategic empowerment programmes, constituency projects, and broad political network have transformed him into a household name across Ogun’s three senatorial districts.
Beyond political popularity, Yayi’s legislative résumé is difficult to ignore. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, he occupies one of the most powerful and strategic positions in the National Assembly – an office that underscores the trust and respect he commands among his colleagues. He has equally played central roles in shaping national budgets and fiscal legislation, while also facilitating numerous constituency projects and interventions.
In an era where many public office holders struggle to point to measurable impact, Yayi has built a reputation as a performer – pragmatic, accessible, and effective.
The APC’s decision to settle for the 56-year-old, therefore, is not merely about rewarding loyalty or zoning power to Ogun West; it is about presenting a candidate with the political experience, administrative exposure, and grassroots connection necessary to retain the state for the party and govern effectively thereafter.
For years, Ogun West has been clamouring to produce the state governor. By choosing Yayi – a candidate with widespread acceptability and formidable political structure – the APC may have finally found the ideal vehicle to actualise that aspiration while maintaining party cohesion.
More importantly, Yayi represents continuity with competence. He also offers the APC a candidate who can consolidate on the gains of the current administration, especially in the Akute-Alagbole-Olambe axis, while bringing his own legislative experience, federal connections, and political sophistication to bear on governance.
Of course, endorsement is not election. Politics again remains unpredictable just like 2027 is still some distance away. Opposition parties will definitely strategise, alliances will shift, and fresh dynamics may emerge. Yet, as things stand today, APC has made what many would consider its smartest political move ahead of the next governorship contest. By rallying behind Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the party has chosen experience over experimentation, structure over sentiment, and capacity over convenience.
Finally, if politics is truly about putting forward the best candidate for the job, then APC may have just made its best political decision for Ogun State in 2027 with the choice of Yayi.
– Azuh Arinze, FNGE, is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine and author of important books like The CEO’s Bible 1 and 2, Anything and Everything Journalism, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, A Taste of Success, etc
