Kayode Odunaro, Media Adviser and Chief of Staff to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has said his principal would prioritise infrastructure development and revenue generation if elected governor in 2027.
Odunaro stated this on Monday while speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, where he discussed the political situation in Ogun State and Adeola’s ambition ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
According to him, Adeola’s development agenda is anchored on addressing infrastructure deficits, improving the state’s revenue base and ensuring that government resources translate into tangible benefits for residents.
Odunaro also linked Adeola’s governorship ambition to what he described as the need for greater political representation and balanced development across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said Ogun West had not produced a governor of the state for several decades, adding that the issue remained one of the factors shaping Adeola’s aspiration.
“One of the major highlights of his agenda is to say, look, we don’t want injustice in the future. His ambition is running on the platform of justice for all Ogun people, particularly the people of Ogun West,” he said.
Infrastructure, Development
Speaking on Adeola’s record as a senator representing Ogun West, Odunaro said the lawmaker had contributed to infrastructure development and other interventions within the senatorial district.
He cited road projects and empowerment initiatives among the areas where Adeola had attracted government intervention, arguing that his legislative experience could be useful if he eventually becomes governor.
“If you watch what Solomon Adeola (Yayi) has done in the last three and a half years in Ogun West, not only Ogun West, you can see what he has done. If you become a governor, you can do much more,” Odunaro said.
He maintained that lawmakers had a role in attracting development projects and empowerment programmes to their constituencies, adding that such experience could inform Adeola’s approach to governance.
Revenue Generation
Odunaro also spoke about the need for Ogun State to improve its internally generated revenue and make effective use of available resources.
He described Adeola as having considerable experience in public finance and legislative appropriation, citing his involvement in committees dealing with finance and appropriation at the National Assembly.
“This man knows everything about public finance. So when he comes to Ogun, Ogun needs to get involved,” he said.
According to him, the state would need to strengthen its revenue generation capacity while ensuring that resources are directed towards projects and programmes that have direct impact on residents.
Airport Project
Odunaro also dismissed speculation that Adeola’s administration would prioritise the construction of a new airport if elected governor.
He said the focus would rather be on improving existing infrastructure and making it commercially viable where necessary.
“He is just going to improve on the already existing one. Maybe take it to a level that it will be so commercially viable that Ogun will continue to benefit from it,” he said.
APC Ticket, 2027 Contest
On the internal affairs of the APC in Ogun State, Odunaro said Adeola’s emergence as the party’s governorship candidate followed what he described as a consensus among relevant stakeholders.
“It was a consensus based on agreement of every relevant stakeholder. The whole party agreed,” he said.
He also addressed the controversy surrounding another aspirant’s claim to the party’s governorship ticket, maintaining that the recognised primary process should determine the party’s candidate.
Ancestry Controversy
Odunaro further rejected arguments questioning Adeola’s eligibility to contest the governorship election on the basis of his ancestry.
He argued that ancestry should not be used to prevent a qualified candidate from participating in the democratic process, stressing that constitutional requirements should guide eligibility for elective office.
“The issue of ancestry, like I said, they raise it because they want to exclude him. But there is no need to exclude him. They are going to put you in a mood and exclude him with your vote,” he said.
