….Other Aspirants Have Pledged To Him, Says Abiodun

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, a long-term ally and a key political protégé of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been adopted as the All Progressives Congress’ consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship race in Ogun State.

Adeola, who represents Ogun West in the Senate, emerged as the party’s preferred choice following a strategic caucus meeting held at the APC secretariat on Abiola Way, convened by the state chairman, Yemi Sanusi.

The meeting was attended by Governor Dapo Abiodun, former governors Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel, and Ibikunle Amosun, alongside other key stakeholders including Kola Bajomo, Salisu Shuaib, Gbenga Kaka, and Gbenga Obadara.

Supporters frequently link Yayi’s governorship aspiration to ensuring Ogun State remains under the influence of President Tinubu’s political movement often referred to as the “City Boy Movement/

Unveiling the candidate at the APC Strategic Caucus Meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Iyana Mortuary, Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is the leader of the party in the state, said the decision was aimed at presenting a formidable candidate and breaking the jinx of Ogun West Senatorial District not producing a governor since the creation of the state.

He explained that the caucus meeting was convened to secure the buy-in of major party stakeholders, disclosing that he had earlier met with other aspirants who agreed to support the party’s choice.

“Today, those I considered as front-runners in Ogun West have given their consent and bought into the idea.

“The reason Ogun West has not been able to produce a governor until now is due to a lack of cooperation. I am proud to say that I have spoken to Hon. Biodun Akinlade, Hon. Gboyega Isiaka, and I can confirm that they are fully on board with having a single Ogun West candidate.

“Nothing will give me more joy than to break the 50-year-old jinx. Nothing will give me more joy than to fulfill the aspirations of my predecessors and ensure that Ogun West produces the next governor of Ogun State.

“On that note, permit me to unveil the person we have decided will be the next flag bearer of our great party in Ogun State—Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola,” he said.

According to the governor, a series of consultations were held with key stakeholders, including a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to arrive at an acceptable candidate to fly the party’s flag in the 2027 election.

“A lot of discussions have taken place behind the scenes, and these discussions did not just start a month or two ago. I must confess that they began about six months ago.

“The President called Chief Olusegun Osoba, who in turn reached out to me and a few others. He expressed satisfaction with what we are doing and indicated his interest in having a say in who would work with him in Ogun State in the next election,” he said.

Governor Abiodun added that after carefully assessing all aspirants who indicated interest in the governorship race, a candidate was selected based on competence, capacity, and the President’s understanding of each aspirant.

“He asked me which zone I preferred for the next governor to come from, and without hesitation, I said Ogun West. When he asked why, I told him it is the only senatorial district that has not produced a governor in the history of the state.

“I also told him that this position aligns with the aspirations of my predecessors. We may disagree on other issues, but on this, we are in agreement,” he said.

He noted that while all aspirants have their strengths, some possess stronger credentials than others, stressing that a governorship aspirant must also have the financial capacity to run an election rather than depend solely on external support.

He said the party has grown in leaps and bounds in the last seven years, as new members joined, making it the dominant party with little or no opposition.

The governor noted that though every member has the right to aspire, there is the need for the party members to align and streamline their thoughts on the forthcoming elections, cautioning going against the Electoral Act.

In his acceptance speech, Senator Adeola pleged to continue on the path of progress as bequeathed by past leaders, saying the State would experience more development as he is aware of the aspirations of the State’s founding fathers.

He noted the strategic importance of the State in the country, saying that with the support and cooperation of all, he would not let the party and the State down.

Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has defended his movement across political parties, insisting his decisions were driven by principle rather than personal ambition.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Tv, Obi said his political journey, from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and later to the Labour Party, was shaped by his refusal to tolerate internal crises and “transactional politics.”

“We must dismantle this criminality that exists today,” Obi said, stressing that his political engagements are rooted in reforming governance and strengthening democratic values.

Responding to concerns about his frequent party changes, Obi explained that his exit from APGA was to prevent internal disputes from destabilising governance in Anambra State.

“I moved from APGA to the PDP because of issues with my successor. Rather than allow it to become destructive to governance, I moved out,” he stated.

He further criticised practices within the PDP, describing them as inconsistent with his principles.

“People were not playing by the rules. It was transactional. I cannot be part of a transactional system,” he said.

Obi also addressed developments within the Labour Party, noting that internal conflicts and legal disputes contributed to instability within the platform.

Despite aligning with figures across political divides, including those now associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Obi maintained that the focus should be on present commitments rather than past affiliations.

“What is important is not what people were yesterday, but what they are today,” he said.

He acknowledged public scepticism but insisted that ongoing political realignments are part of a broader effort to rebuild a credible opposition capable of delivering accountable leadership.

“We are ready to work with people who are committed to change. If the process is compromised again, we will continue the fight,” Obi added.

The remarks come amid heightened political activity and shifting alliances ahead of future elections, with opposition figures seeking to consolidate forces and present a unified front against entrenched political structures.

By Augustine Akhilomen

The Presidency has described the comment of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, regarding the recent military airstrike on Jilli market in Borno State as not only misleading but reckless.

Recall that no fewer than 56 people, mostly traders, were feared dead while several others sustained injuries following the airstrike.

Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Atiku described the death of innocent Nigerians in the bombing as tragic.

He lamented that innocent Nigerians have been reduced to collateral damage and remain unsafe from both terrorists and security operations meant to protect them.

Reacting, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, in a statement on Monday, accused Atiku of politicising a military operation targeted at insurgent positions.

In the statement titled, ‘Atiku: Questionable Patriot’, Dare said the Nigerian Air Force carried out targeted, intelligence-led airstrikes on insurgent enclaves within the Jilli axis, emphasising the location had evolved into a logistics hub for terrorist groups.

While criticising Atiku for describing the operation as an attack on civilians, Tinubu’s aide warned that such claims could undermine public confidence and the morale of security forces.

The statement read, “At a time when our Armed Forces are taking the fight directly to terrorist enclaves, it is both disappointing and telling to see Atiku Abubakar politicize the recent airstrikes at Jilli Market by alleging that the government is targeting civilians.

“Over the weekend, the Nigerian Air Force carried out targeted, intelligence-led airstrikes on insurgent positions within and around the Jilli axis, where the market, though still geographically identifiable, has for years been overtaken and repurposed as a logistics and trading hub for terrorist elements, including BHT and ISWAP.

“Let us be clear: while the location may still be referred to as “Jilli Market,” it has not functioned as a legitimate civilian marketplace in any meaningful sense. By multiple credible accounts, it has evolved into an operational node within the insurgency’s supply chain, facilitating movement, coordination, and sustenance of violent actors.

“For Atiku Abubakar to ignore this context and frame a legitimate military action as an attack on civilians is not only misleading it is reckless. It risks distorting public understanding and undermining the morale of those on the frontlines who are daily risking their lives to secure the country.

“What remains difficult to reconcile is the contradiction. He consistently criticizes the government for failing to curb insecurity, yet when decisive, intelligence-driven action is taken, he is quick to condemn it. That is not principled opposition—it is opportunism.

“At some point, clarity must prevail. You cannot dine with the devil and still pretend to stand with the masses. Nigeria deserves seriousness, not selective outrage.”