2027 guber race: Why Ogun West is politically sidelined, by Opeyemi Bamidele

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has stressed that unity among Ogun West political stakeholders is crucial to securing the state governorship in 2027.
Bamidele spoke on Sunday in Ilaro, Ogun, during a media engagement organised by the Ogun West Professionals.
He delivered a lecture at the programme, which drew political leaders, professionals and community stakeholders from across the senatorial district.
The event was with the theme, ‘The Power of Internal Coherence in Securing External Support: A Roadmap to Achieving Ogun West Governorship Ambition in 2027’.
Bamidele said Ogun West’s long-standing marginalisation was rooted in structural exclusion, worsened by internal political divisions over several election cycles.
He noted that internal rivalry had repeatedly weakened the district’s bargaining power within party structures and statewide political calculations.
According to him, Ogun Central and Ogun East have produced multiple governors since the state’s creation.
By contrast, he said Ogun West has remained politically sidelined in spite of its demographic strength and economic importance.
Bamidele said: “Ironically, Ogun West is one of the economic power houses of the state. The district hosts major industrial hubs such as Ota and Agbara.
“It also supports cross-border trade with the Republic of Benin and contributes significantly to Ogun’s internally generated revenue.”
According to the Senate Leader, Ogun West plays a major role in industry, trade, agriculture and employment generation.
“Yet, in spite of this economic relevance, Ogun West has not translated its contributions into political power,” he said.
He described the imbalance as a growing source of frustration, resentment and perceived injustice among residents of the district.
The Senate Leader warned that continued disunity could prove costly ahead of the 2027 election.
He listed possible consequences as vote-splitting, weakened party confidence and domination by external political power blocs.
Bamidele said such outcomes could result in Ogun West missing what may be a rare political opportunity in 2027.
“Unity is political capital. It unlocks party confidence, elite endorsement, cross-district alliances and statewide voter legitimacy.
“No amount of financial resources can compensate for internal disunity,” Bamidele warned.
He said once Ogun West presents a consensus candidate, broader support would naturally follow.
According to him, fair-minded indigenes from other senatorial districts and outside Ogun would readily lend their backing.
Bamidele acknowledged that several prominent figures from Ogun West harbour governorship ambitions.
He urged stakeholders to engage all interests with humility, sincerity and mutual respect to build trust.
The Senate Leader said consensus-building required sacrifice, dialogue and a commitment to the collective good.
He described one of the frontrunners, Sen. Olamilekan Adeola, as a tested and trusted politician with national stature.
According to Bamidele, Adeola possesses the experience and exposure needed to drive Ogun West’s governorship push.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, emphasised unity and inclusiveness.
Salako said political progress in Ogun West must be anchored on collective participation and shared ownership.
He urged leaders to carry everyone along, including dissenting voices.
According to him, opposing views should be won over with love, dialogue and persuasion rather than hostility.
Salako called for the adoption of an inclusive policy framework across the district.
He said such a framework would ensure that no community or interest group is left behind.
The minister expressed confidence that inclusiveness would strengthen the Yewa governorship ambition ahead of 2027.
Earlier, the Coordinator of Ogun West Professionals, Mr Ajiroba Oke, explained the purpose of the engagement.
Oke said the programme was convened to mobilise professional support for equity, development and quality leadership in Ogun.
He described the Ogun West Professionals as a coalition of accomplished indigenes.
According to him, members are drawn from within Nigeria and the diaspora.
Oke said the group was committed to correcting historical marginalisation through strategic political engagement.
He revealed that the group unanimously resolved to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term.
The group also endorsed Senator Olamilekan Adeola as its preferred Ogun West governorship candidate in 2027.
Oke said the endorsement was adopted at the group’s inaugural meeting, held on December 7, 2025.
According to him, the endorsement recognised Adeola’s quality representation and infrastructure development initiatives.
He also cited Adeola’s record of responsive and people-focused governance.
Oke noted Adeola’s recent recognition as The Sun Man of the Year 2025.
He described the award as further affirmation of Adeola’s national relevance and leadership capacity.
Oke urged indigenes across Ogun’s three senatorial districts to rally behind a consensus Ogun West candidate.
He expressed optimism that unity and coordination would finally correct leadership imbalance in the state.
Representatives from Ogun East and Ogun Central also spoke at the event.
They described Adeola as the right candidate for the job.
The representatives declared their support for Adeola and President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.