Renowned security expert, Chief Owolabi Ajayi, has backed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for the Ogun State governorship in 2027, citing his legislative experience, knowledge of public finance and record of representation.
He spoke against the backdrop of the controversy over Yayi’s indigene status and eligibility to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.
The Chairman of Mainforce International said Adeola’s progression from the Lagos State House of Assembly to the House of Representatives and Senate had given him broad exposure to lawmaking, budgeting, oversight and public administration.
Ajayi described Adeola’s legislative experience as a major part of his credentials, noting his service at different levels of the legislature and his understanding of public finance.
Adeola served in the Lagos State House of Assembly before moving to the House of Representatives and Senate. He has represented Ogun West in the Senate since 2023, after serving as senator for Lagos West from 2015 to 2023.
According to him, Senator Yayi previously chaired the House Committee on Public Accounts and later served as chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and currently chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Ajayi also commended Adeola’s professional background as a chartered accountant, saying his experience in budgeting, financial oversight and legislative affairs would be relevant to the administration of Ogun State, particularly given its expanding industrial and commercial base.
On the indigeneship controversy, Ajayi argued that Adeola’s previous representation of Lagos constituencies should be viewed within the context of his political career and should not, by itself, be used to question his connection to Ogun State.
Some of Adeola’s opponents have questioned his claim to Ogun ancestry, while the senator has challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence to substantiate them.
Ajayi pointed to Adeola’s current representation of Ogun West, as well as his engagement with the senatorial district, as part of the senator’s political connection to the state.
He also commended what he described as Adeola’s constituency interventions in infrastructure, education, empowerment and community development.
According to Ajayi, Adeola’s years in the National Assembly had exposed him to the policy, budgetary and developmental issues that would be central to governing Ogun State.
He said the 2027 governorship debate should extend beyond questions of political origin to include the candidates’ experience, records, capacity and understanding of the state’s developmental priorities.
Adeola’s campaign platform has identified infrastructure, healthcare, education, employment, agriculture and security among its stated priorities.
Ajayi urged Ogun residents and other stakeholders to examine the issues on their merits, stressing that his support for Adeola was based on his assessment of the senator’s experience, legislative record and capacity for public service.
He described Ogun as an important industrial and economic centre, adding that effective management of public finance, infrastructure and investment would be critical to the state’s continued development.
Ajayi’s endorsement adds to the public backing for Adeola, who has secured the APC’s nomination for the 2027 governorship election.