..Says internal coherence is key to unlocking statewide and national support
…Describes Ogun West exclusion from governorship as structural imbalance
…Calls for consensus among Yewa-Awori political stakeholders ahead of APC contest
The Leader of the Senate, Senator (Dr.) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, has charged political leaders and professionals in Ogun West to embrace unity, discipline and strategic consensus as the surest pathway to producing the next governor of Ogun State in 2027.
Bamidele gave the charge while speaking at a gathering organised by the Ogun West Professionals for Yayi, a socio-political group advocating for the emergence of a governor from the senatorial district for the first time since the creation of the state.
The Senate Leader, who described the audience as some of the most enlightened citizens in the region, said the ambition of Ogun West to occupy the top seat at Oke-Mosan has remained unrealised due to internal fragmentation and prolonged political exclusion.
He noted that while Ogun Central and Ogun East have produced governors over the decades, Ogun West has remained politically underserved despite its electoral strength and economic relevance.
According to him, the struggle for governorship in Ogun West is not merely about deserving the position but about the readiness of its leaders to seize the moment collectively.
Bamidele stressed that “internal coherence is not merely beneficial but indispensable” if Ogun West must secure the governorship in 2027.
He explained that unity within the district would serve as political capital capable of unlocking party confidence, elite endorsement, cross-district alliances and statewide legitimacy.
The Senate Leader maintained that Ogun West’s success depends less on external persuasion and more on internal discipline, consensus-building and strategic maturity.
He argued that once Ogun West achieves internal harmony, external support from other districts and even outside Ogun State would naturally follow.
Bamidele attributed the prolonged marginalisation of Ogun West to a combination of structural exclusion and internal disunity, urging elites in the region to rise above personal ambition.
He called for urgent coordination among political stakeholders, professionals and community leaders to correct what he described as a historical imbalance.
The Senate Leader identified Senator (Dr.) Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as a “marketable hopeful” with national credibility and political experience.
He described Adeola as a rare breed politician, a distinguished three-term senator, and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Bamidele said Ogun West requires a tested and trusted figure who can effectively lead the district’s governorship aspiration and command support across party structures.
He noted that beyond having a mainstream national political platform, Ogun West must align behind a unifying political figure capable of galvanising broad acceptance.
The Senate Leader disclosed that there is already a groundswell of support for Senator Adeola across the three senatorial districts of Ogun State.
He added that the support is further strengthened by Adeola’s maternal roots in Ogun Central, which he said boosts his acceptability beyond Ogun West.
Bamidele said his interactions with indigenes from Ogun Central and Ogun East revealed readiness to support a consensus candidate from Ogun West if the district presents a united front.
However, he cautioned that achieving such consensus requires recognising that other prominent figures within Ogun West also harbour legitimate ambitions.
He mentioned notable leaders such as Hon. Adekunle Akinlade and Hon. Tunji Isiaka, as well as other illustrious sons and daughters of the district who have served in various capacities.
The Senate Leader insisted that Ogun West Professionals and political actors must avoid arrogance and instead approach the project with humility and mutual respect.
He urged Senator Adeola and his supporters to reach out to all stakeholders within the district and reassure them of inclusiveness in the collective struggle.
Bamidele warned that no single group should assume it loves Ogun West more than others or deserves the governorship ticket above the collective interest.
He described the quest for an Ogun West governor as a five-decade struggle now reaching a decisive crescendo.
The Senate Leader called on the region to honour past heroes of the movement, including political pioneers, traditional rulers, youth groups, women organisations and community activists.
He said the path to success demands acknowledging those who have kept the agitation alive, whether dead or living.
Bamidele charged Ogun West leaders to adopt a single political language across all local governments, from Ado-Odo/Ota to Ilaro, and from Ipokia to Imeko.
He urged the diverse ethnic groups in the district—Awori, Yewa, Egun, Ogu and Anago—to speak with one voice and pursue one common agenda.
According to him, Ogun West must unite under a “One West” slogan and strategic roadmap towards Oke-Mosan.
He maintained that the governorship ambition must be pursued with discipline, maturity and coordinated messaging to win statewide confidence.
Bamidele concluded by praying for wisdom and grace for Ogun West stakeholders to navigate the political journey successfully.
He thanked participants for their attention and wished them safe travels back to their destinations.
The event, observers say, signals renewed momentum in the campaign for Ogun West to finally produce the governor of Ogun State in the 2027 elections.
With political alignments already forming, the coming months are expected to test whether the district can overcome internal divisions and present a united front for historic victory.
