By Abiodun Festus-Omoyinmi
The outcome of the Osun governorship election has once again reminded us that in politics, the people ultimately have the final say. The Adeleke family has built a strong political identity and remarkable acceptance among the people of Osun, and that connection has continued to translate into electoral strength. At the same time, the experience of the Oyetola era and the internal disagreements that characterised the Osun APC at the time showed how dangerous it can be for a political party when individual interests become stronger than the collective interest of the party and its supporters. As someone who has followed Nigerian politics closely, I see Osun as more than an election result; I see it as a reminder that no amount of political structure can permanently substitute for the confidence and acceptance of the people.
Coming home and considering the candidacy of Senator (Aremo) Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi FCA CON, I see a considerably different political equation. I have had the opportunity to observe his political journey and the way he relates with people, and one thing that has remained consistent is his grassroots orientation. Yayi is not the type of politician whose political relevance exists only within the walls of government offices or party meetings. His politics is deeply connected to people and communities. I have seen the importance he attaches to human-capital development, empowerment, scholarships, skills acquisition, and creating opportunities for people to improve their lives. His years in the National Assembly have also given him the experience, relationships, and understanding required to navigate government and attract great opportunities to the people he represents. Today, he enjoys the support and endorsement of virtually all of the most influential political figures Ogun has produced, including Governor Dapo Abiodun and former governors Olusegun Osoba, Ibikunle Amosun and Gbenga Daniel. But those of us who have watched Yayi closely know that his political strength cannot be reduced to the endorsements behind his candidacy.
The crucial difference between Osun and Ogun, however, is that Yayi understands that endorsements are not votes. The support of governors and former governors can strengthen a campaign, bring political leaders together and provide an important organisational advantage, but the final verdict belongs to the market woman, the farmer, the artisan, the student, the transport worker, the civil servant, the business owner, the professional and the ordinary voter at the polling unit. This is one area where I have come to appreciate Yayi’s political style. He understands that the people cannot simply be approached when an election is around the corner. His relationship with the grassroots is something he has consistently nurtured over time. The various empowerment and human-capital interventions associated with him, his accessibility to constituents and his continued engagement with people across different sections of Ogun are all part of a larger political relationship. That, to me, is what makes the endorsements particularly significant: they are coming on top of an existing grassroots connection, not being used as a substitute for one.
For these reasons and many more, I believe Yayi enters the 2027 Ogun governorship election with a very strong political foundation. I am not saying this simply because He’s my leader and principal or because major political leaders have endorsed him. I say it from what I have observed of the man, his political journey and his relationship with the people. He has the APC structure, the backing of major political stakeholders, considerable legislative experience, a strong grassroots network and a record of human-capital interventions that gives him something concrete to take before the electorate. The capital projects and development initiatives spread across Ogun under the present administration also provide a platform for the APC to speak about continuity, consolidation and further development. What makes Yayi particularly interesting is that he understands that politics is ultimately about the people. If the unity presently being demonstrated within the APC is sustained, and if the goodwill surrounding Yayi continues to translate into genuine grassroots mobilisation, I see a very serious opportunity for him in 2027. In my assessment, Yayi is not simply going into the election with endorsements; he is going into it with relationships, experience, grassroots acceptance and a political story that has been building for years. And from where I stand, that is a much stronger foundation than endorsement alone.
Abiodun Festus-Omoyinmi
Owu, Totoro Abeokuta.
#Omoluabi 🤝♾️
