Oredipe said on Monday that he had decided to back Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola in the 2027 Ogun governorship race after the APC leadership endorsed the senator as its preferred candidate. He made the declaration during a virtual meeting with members and supporters of the OTO Movement.
He described acceptance of the party’s choice and support for its nominee as evidence of his loyalty to, and commitment to, the APC.
“Once the party leadership completed its process and settled on Distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) as the preferred candidate, we demonstrated our agreement by accepting his nomination and standing behind him,” he said.
Oredipe said he consulted members of his political network before deciding to offer Adeola his “total support”. He added that the senator had shown the competence and ability needed to lead Ogun State.
“Everyone knows the senator we have chosen to support. He has pursued this ambition for several years and has proved that he possesses the skills and experience required for the office,” Oredipe said.
The former aspirant explained that he and his supporters later met Adeola to hear his plans for Ogun. He said they were pleased with the senator’s presentation and the direction he outlined for the state.
He also said the OTO Movement had brought Adeola to Ijebu, giving its members an opportunity to engage with him and demonstrate their preparedness to work for his campaign.
During the gathering, the group displayed vehicles and other campaign items bearing its branding. It also opened an event centre intended for meetings and consultations in the period leading up to the election.
Oredipe said the movement’s roadshow was designed to carry Adeola’s message to residents directly and improve public understanding of his bid for governor.
“The tour will help residents learn more about our candidate, his record, his ability, and the contribution he can make to Ogun in the years ahead,” he said.
He said the programme would promote broad awareness of Adeola’s candidacy, bring the campaign into contact with market women, transport operators, artisans, young people and community leaders, recruit supporters and volunteers, and distribute campaign materials.
Oredipe stressed that the OTO Movement’s activities would extend beyond Adeola’s campaign. It would also work for other APC candidates seeking different elected offices in Ogun State.
“Our message will include every other candidate fielded by the party,” he said, noting that the movement would support APC contenders for the National Assembly and the Ogun State House of Assembly.
On Adeola’s policy priorities, Oredipe identified effective administration and accountability, construction and renewal of infrastructure, education and youth advancement, healthcare, and social welfare as central elements of the senator’s agenda.
He said the commitment to accountable government would allow people to benefit from public opportunities without needing personal contacts within the administration.
“People should not need to know or have links to someone before their communities receive development. He has assured us that his government will be open,” Oredipe said.
He said Adeola’s infrastructure plans covered roads, power and water, with rural areas receiving particular attention. Oredipe also pointed to the senator’s work in education and healthcare as signs that he was prepared to assume greater responsibility.
“If he has achieved this much as a senator whose formal constituency is Ogun West, while also extending his efforts to other parts of the state, then he is clearly ready to lead Ogun as governor,” he said.
Oredipe further commended Adeola’s knowledge of international development cooperation and his capacity to work with Nigerians living abroad. He said those qualities had left him “very comfortable” with the senator’s candidacy.
“I have complete confidence in his bid, I would be comfortable having him as my governor, and I am equally at ease voting for every APC candidate,” he said.
Oredipe predicted an APC victory in the 2027 governorship contest and said the OTO Movement would keep building support for Adeola in communities throughout Ogun State.
“By May 2027, we will celebrate Senator Olamilekan Yayi’s arrival as governor — a widely accepted politician who has displayed competence and proved that he relates with people in the cities as well as the countryside,” he said.
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