The political landscape across Ogun West came alive on Monday, September 7, as thousands of residents and political supporters took to the streets of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area in a massive street walk organised by the Ogun State Pathfinder for Yayi for Good Governance.
The mega rally, which marked the first leg of a three-part sensitisation tour planned across the three senatorial districts of Ogun State, was organised to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s expected second-term bid and the 2027 governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
Participants drawn from the five local government areas in Ogun West Ipokia, Yewa South, Yewa North, Imeko-Afon and Ado-Odo/Ota converged at the Ansar-ud-deen Nursery and Primary School in Ota, from where the procession commenced.
The colourful procession moved through major roads in the area, with participants carrying banners and placards bearing the images and messages of the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders.
The march proceeded to the Sango Under-Bridge, through Sango Garage to the Lagos-Abeokuta Tollgate, before looping back to the starting point amid chants of solidarity and support for Tinubu and Yayi.
Speaking with newsmen at the Tollgate, the Convener of the Ogun Pathfinder and National Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Kayode Agbeyangi, explained that the group chose a street-level mobilisation approach to directly engage with residents rather than relying solely on conventional town-hall meetings.
Agbeyangi said, “We have to come down to the grassroots, put ourselves on the street, and let people feel that we have their concerns at heart.
“Let them see that we can walk and do a walk for life, rather than sitting in halls.”
He commended the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for what he described as his administration’s contributions to the development of Ogun West.
According to him, Ogun West, which has historically supported political aspirations from other parts of the state, is now prepared to present its own candidate for the governorship of Ogun State.
Speaking on the administration of President Tinubu, Agbeyangi urged Nigerians to be patient and allow the President to complete his programmes and policies.
“Let us have patience; let this man complete his job. Don’t cut it short,” he said.
“If we cut it short, we are cutting the vision of our life, our children, and all of us short.”
Agbeyangi further assured the people of Ogun West that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, was already undertaking several projects and initiatives across the state even before becoming governor.
He said the people could see the impact for themselves rather than relying on hearsay or unfulfilled promises, expressing confidence that Adeola would do even more if elected governor in 2027.
“Yayi is already doing a lot of projects now, even before becoming governor. The people can see what he is doing; it is not hearsay and it is not an unfulfilled promise. When he becomes governor in 2027, we believe he will do much more.”
He added, “Yayi, we know; Yayi, we trust, and Yayi is the one capable of delivering.”
Also speaking at the rally, the Ogun State Chairman of the NURTW, Alhaji Mustapha Ismail Adewale, popularly known as Yaro, commended Agbeyangi for organising the mobilisation exercise and returning to his home state to actively participate in politics.
Yaro described the initiative as a significant demonstration of commitment, urging residents and party supporters to support Yayi in the 2027 governorship election.
He said, “I want to appreciate the Convener of the Ogun Pathfinder and National Secretary of the NURTW, Comrade Kayode Agbeyangi, for doing something like this and for coming back to his state to get involved in politics. It is not something easy.
“He is doing this to support Yayi. I want everyone to support Yayi because the convener is a good man.
“However, our support should not stop with Yayi. We should also extend our support to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term so that the good work can continue.”
One of the participants at the event, Olori Kuye Ganiyat, an APC coordinator, said her support for Senator Adeola was based on what she described as his contributions to infrastructure, employment and agriculture across the state.
When asked what Senator Adeola had done to earn her support, she said Yayi had facilitated the construction of several roads across Ogun State and contributed to employment opportunities for more than 300 market women.
She also credited him with supporting farmers through the provision of tractors and fertiliser to ease agricultural activities.
According to her, Senator Adeola had equally assisted several communities with electricity infrastructure, including the provision of transformers.
The Ogun Pathfinder said the street walk was designed to deepen grassroots engagement and sensitisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with subsequent legs of the mobilisation expected to take place in other senatorial districts of the state.
