The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local government, Oba Ebenezer Akintunde Akinyemi, has expressed the confidence that Ogun West Senatorial District – the home of the heterogenous segments of Ogun State, will produce a Governor for the state one day despite the daunting challenges plaguing the persisting clamour for it.
Oba Akinyemi added that the zone will continue to work and solicit the support of gladiators from other Senatorial Districts in order to accomplish the long quest for Ogun West son or daughter to become Governor of the Gateway State.
This is coming on the heels of a grave concern expressed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that unless Ogun East and Ogun Central extractions of the state yielded ground, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the Ogun West to make it to the Okemosan Governor’s Office.
The Daily Crucible reports that the first civilian Governor of the state was Victor Olabisi Onabanjo of blessed memory. He hailed from Ijebu Ode in Ogun East. Aremo Olusegun Osoba from Egba, Ogun Central, also governed the state. He was succeeded by Otunba Gbenga Daniel from Sagamu in Ogun East.
Daniel who is now a Senator, handed power over to Senator Ibikunle Amosun, an Owu son from Ogun Central, who in turn, handed the baton of power to the incumbent governor Dapo Abiodun from Iperu in Ogun East.
The question agitating the minds of many is: Who succeeds Abiodun? Already, Hon. Ladi Adebutu from Iperu in the same Ogun East is still nursing an ambition to govern the Gateway State in 2027 after his failed bid to clinch it in 2023. Will power remain in Ogun East till 2031 or return to the Central as is the routine after every turn of the East? Will the West have it in 2027?
Obasanjo had on Friday when he received in his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, six federal lawmakers from the House of Representatives led by Hon Ugochinyere Ikenga, representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, recalled that he laboured to ensure that a former ECOMOG Commander from the Ogun West, General Tunji Olurin of blessed memory, become a governor in 2011 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but did succeed as Olurin lost the election to Senator Ibikunle Amosun from Ogun Central
But giving his goodwill message in Ilaro, the Headquarters of Yewa South Local Government on Saturday at a ceremony put together by the people of the area to celebrate Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola on his 55th birthday, the Eselu said in no time, an Ogun West son will occupy the seat of power in Okemosan as a Governor of Ogun State.
“We will work with the political gladiators and I’m convinced that one day, Ogun West will have someone as Governor in Okemosan Governor’s Office,” the monarch declared.
He described Yayi as a genius, bulldozer and rare gift not only to the zone and Ogun State but also the nation.
He said whenever his name is mentioned, it resonates in the state and beyond, adding that it is an attestation that the Ogun West people have arrived politically.
And earlier in a statement he personally signed and issued to felicitate YAYI on his birthday, Oba Akinyemi acknowledged Yayi’s immense contributions to nation building in his many years of service to his state, Ogun and Nigeria.
He said the Senator who is the Chairman of Senate Committee on Appropriations and representative of Ogun West in the National Assembly, has contributed in great measures to the nation’s political development.
Oba Eselu particularly lauded Yayi for his remarkable efforts in sponsoring people’s oriented bills in the Red chamber and his numerous philanthropic gestures to the less privileged in the society.
He described him as the Aremo of Yewaland and the Senator representing the Ogun West Senatorial district in the Red chamber.
In a congratulatory message, Oba Akinyemi said, “It is indeed a great privilege for me,
Oba (Dr.) Ebenezer Akintunde AKINYENMI, FCIMN, JP
The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom,
Yewa North Local Government, Ogun State, Nigeria, to join millions of people to share a Special Day with Distinguished Senator Olamilekan Solomon ADEOLA (Yayi) who added another year to his age today Saturday, 10th August, 2024.
“Without doubt, the day will open another chapter in the life of Distinguished Senator Olamilekan Solomon ADEOLA (Yayi), a quintessential, accomplished and unique Legislator representing Ogun West in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a great personality with a rare leadership acumen, a revered politician, an embodiment of knowledge, intelligence and a great Philanthropist.
“Distinguished Senator Sir, let me also use this opportunity to thank you immensely for being a giant who has been taking Yewa Land to the next level of greatness. You are such an enigma, a rare man who has been transforming Ogun West within the shortest period that the sons and daughters of Ogun West massively voted for you to represent us in the Upper Legislative Chamber of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The royal father said that “the gigantic empowerment programmes that you have embarked upon for both the youths and women of Yewa and Awori in Ogun State are still being talked about and celebrated worldwide.
“The unending care that you extend to me and all my colleagues in Yewa Land is one of the qualities that were
responsible for the overwhelming support we all gave your installation as the Aremo of Yewa Land. We have never regretted supporting all your aspirations.
Oba Eselu then used the occasion to appreciate Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Ogun State Governor for his numerous supports to Senator Yayi, which according to him has resulted into the harmony and unprecedented transformation of the State and Ogun West in particular.
“Let me also use this opportunity to thank His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, the Executive Governor of our dear State (0gun State) for allowing Senator Yayi, the Aremo of Yewa Land and Chairman, Senate Appropriate Committee to achieve his long awaited aspiration of coming to his home State (Ogun State) to continue his political journey.
“It is my prayer that the Almighty God allows you to witness many more years in good health and wealth and may He continue to answer all your heart desires.