Ogun State is poised to enter “another era” of influential governance as Solomon Olamilekan Adeola emerges as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade, has said.
Key takeaways
- Bukola Olopade said Ogun State is nearing a fresh phase of leadership following Adeola’s selection as the APC governorship candidate.
- Olopade delivered the remarks on Thursday at Centenary Hall during the collation and announcement of APC primary results in Abeokuta South Local Government.
- He described Senator Adeola—widely known as Yayi—as having demonstrated leadership character over about 11 to 12 years.
- Olopade argued that Adeola’s humility, respect for institutions, and concern for ordinary people would benefit Ogun State.
- He expressed confidence that Adeola would perform well in sports development and called for building a “sporting” state within Nigeria.
Adeola’s candidacy and Olopade’s endorsement
Speaking to journalists at Centenary Hall, Olopade said the APC governorship primary results for Abeokuta South Local Government were being compiled and released at the event, during which he discussed the party’s new candidate.
On the momentum building around Senator Adeola, Olopade said he had been persuaded well before the wider public fully embraced the bid. He argued that the lawmaker’s leadership attributes were suited to moving Ogun State in a better direction.
Olopade emphasized that his conviction was based on what he described as the “human” dimension of Adeola’s leadership approach. He said Yayi’s leadership style had reportedly permeated the state and resonated in many places for nearly 11 or 12 years, presenting evidence— in his view—of a politician, family man, and public figure who genuinely cares about people.
He added that while many aspirants may claim they want to run for office, assessing their character is often difficult. Olopade said he and others had spent close to 12 years closely observing Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, also known as Yayi.
He then referenced his own decision to publicly back the candidate early last year, describing it as a response to what he believed the state needed to move ahead from the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun. Olopade said the decision was grounded in confidence in Adeola’s intellect, alongside what he termed his local political engagement.
Expectations for Ogun’s governance and sports agenda
Turning to what Ogun State stands to gain under Adeola’s leadership, Olopade framed it as an opportunity for the state to secure “another great governor and leader.” He said he expects Adeola’s humility, respect for institutions and people, and affection for the masses to remain central factors in his relationship with the public.
Olopade urged Adeola to continue being “kind and generous,” arguing that generosity, in his view, is what leads to building roads needed for the economy to thrive. He also linked generosity to what he said would help create opportunities and develop the capacity of young people.
In addition, the sports commission boss said he was confident Adeola would also advance the sports sector. He noted that his own area of expertise is sports, and he declared, “I know Yayi will be good for sports.”
Olopade appealed to people to rally behind Senator Adeola and the federal government to build a sporting state—or a sporting nation within Nigeria—so that Ogun State would not only become a center for sports, but also empower thousands of indigenes from the state, as he concluded his remarks.
