Yayi Unveils 206 Projects in Ado-Odo/Ota, Promises More Roads, Transformers as Ogun West Rally Behind Governorship Bid

Senator Adeola announces 13 new road projects and ultra-modern Oja Ota Market; pledges rural development, electricity and inclusive governance; Akin Odunsi demands four commissioners, 18 campaign buses and six LCDAs for Ado-Odo/Ota

OTA, OGUN STATE — Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has declared that his ambition to become the next governor of Ogun State is anchored on his record of performance, grassroots engagement and commitment to equitable development, as he presented an account of his legislative interventions and development projects in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly and is seeking to succeed Governor Dapo Abiodun in 2027, made the declaration during a stakeholders' engagement with community leaders, traditional rulers, political stakeholders, party members and residents of Ado-Odo/Ota.

The gathering provided an opportunity for the senator to give an account of his stewardship over the last three and a half years, listen to the developmental demands of the people and outline his vision for Ogun State if elected governor.

In what appeared to be both a constituency accountability session and a significant political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 governorship election, Adeola disclosed that he had facilitated 206 development projects to Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government within the period under review.

He said the projects reflected his determination to fulfil the promises made to the people when he sought their support for his senatorial ambition.

According to him, the interventions cut across road infrastructure, education, healthcare, electricity, markets, skills acquisition, water supply, security and other essential sectors.

The senator also announced that another set of projects would commence in Ado-Odo/Ota within the next two weeks, particularly road construction and the development of an ultra-modern market.

He maintained that his performance as senator had established a standard against which his prospective administration as governor could be measured.

"I am tested, and you have given me the platform to represent you as a senator for the last three and a half years. You can read between the lines what Yayi is capable of doing," he told the gathering.

206 PROJECTS IN ADO-ODO/OTA

One of the major highlights of Adeola's address was his disclosure that he had facilitated 206 projects to Ado-Odo/Ota within three and a half years.

He said the number represented a significant development intervention in the local government and demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that the people benefited from his position in the Senate.

Adeola recalled his earlier engagement with the traditional institution, particularly the Olota of Ota, Oba Professor AbdulKadir Adeyemi Obalanlege, when he first sought the monarch's support for his senatorial aspiration.

According to him, during one of his visits to the palace approximately three and a half years ago, questions were raised about what he could accomplish for the people if given the opportunity to represent them.

He said he had assured the traditional ruler that his performance would speak for him.

"Give me a trial. A trial will convince you," Adeola recalled telling the monarch.

He expressed satisfaction that the traditional ruler and other stakeholders could now assess his performance through the projects attracted to the area.

The senator said he was particularly encouraged by the positive reactions of community leaders, adding that he remained committed to delivering more projects before the expiration of his current senatorial tenure on May 29, 2027.

He stressed that his responsibility to the people did not end with the presentation of an account of past achievements, noting that additional interventions were already being planned.

13 NEW ROAD PROJECTS, ULTRA-MODERN MARKET TO COMMENCE

In a major announcement that attracted attention at the gathering, Adeola listed 13 road projects scheduled to commence in Ado-Odo/Ota within the next two weeks.

The projects, which involve construction and asphalt surfacing, are expected to improve connectivity, ease transportation difficulties and support commercial activities across different communities.

The roads announced include Captain Davis Road in Iju-Ota; Paramole-Alagolo Road alongside Alakoko Road; Bell Anchor Ade-Faransi Road; Dabo Road Phase Two; Obasorojo-Idagba Road; and Awode-Ade Road in Igodo, Godoni, Ota.

Others are Acton Market Road Phase Two; Erere Road Phase Two; Gasline-Isiyago-Tau Block Road; Isalu Road; Iju-Ota Township Road; Ade-Lemomu Ota-Makoro Road; and Adeleye-Bisiyu Street.

Adeola also announced the construction of an ultra-modern market at Oja Ota.

The proposed market is expected to strengthen commercial activities and provide improved trading facilities for business owners and traders in the area.

The announcement was particularly significant to residents and traders who have continued to identify road infrastructure and market development as important requirements for economic growth in Ado-Odo/Ota.

Adeola said the new projects were part of his continuing commitment to the local government and demonstrated that his interventions would not stop before the end of his tenure.

COMMUNITY LEADERS RECOUNT YAYI'S INTERVENTIONS

Earlier, a representative of community champions in Ado-Odo/Ota commended the senator for what he described as an unprecedented level of development across Ogun West.

He described community champions as the foot soldiers of grassroots development, explaining that they remained actively involved in community service regardless of weekends, public holidays and other social commitments.

According to him, community champions undertake responsibilities such as sweeping streets, clearing drainages, constructing security posts, settling disputes and maintaining peace within their communities.

He said their closeness to residents gave them a clear understanding of the developmental challenges confronting ordinary people.

The community representative particularly praised Adeola for attracting projects across Awori communities, listing several interventions in roads, education, healthcare, skills acquisition, markets, security and public utilities.

Among the projects he highlighted were 52 roads constructed in Awori land, two secondary schools, three ICT centres and 13 primary healthcare centres.

He also mentioned the provision of an ambulance, a skills acquisition centre in Ibese, 13 markets, one police station, 52 boreholes, 103 solar streetlights and 41 transformers.

He described the interventions as significant contributions to the development of Ogun West, adding that the senator's achievements had encouraged grassroots stakeholders to support his political ambition.

According to him, the support for Adeola was not simply because he hailed from Ogun West but because of what the people believed he had accomplished through his representation.

He described the senator as a leader who had given hope to disadvantaged communities and made a better future appear achievable.

The figures presented by the community representative formed part of the broader account of interventions discussed at the meeting, while Adeola separately put the total number of projects facilitated to Ado-Odo/Ota at 206.

YAYI PROMISES PRIORITY ATTENTION TO RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Beyond the projects already facilitated, Adeola used the engagement to outline what he described as the priorities of his proposed administration.

He identified rural development as one of the most important challenges requiring deliberate attention across Ogun State.

According to him, a significant proportion of the state's population resides in rural communities, making it imperative for any serious administration to develop policies that would ensure such communities were not neglected.

He argued that development should not be concentrated in major urban centres at the expense of rural settlements.

Adeola pledged that, if elected governor, he would devote considerable attention to rural roads, electricity, infrastructure and other essential services across the 20 local government areas.

He said the development of rural communities would constitute a central component of his administration's agenda.

"With a conscious attempt and focus, we will give 100 per cent concentration to rural development across the length and breadth of Ogun State," he declared.

He added that every local government would receive attention, particularly in the provision of rural roads and infrastructure capable of connecting communities to economic opportunities.

The senator maintained that the challenges of rural development had repeatedly featured during his engagements with communities and that a deliberate, coordinated approach was required to address them.

He assured residents that his administration would not allow rural communities to remain on the margins of development.

OVER 150 TRANSFORMERS PROMISED

Electricity supply also featured prominently during the engagement, following requests from community development representatives for additional transformers.

Adeola disclosed that an empowerment programme scheduled for the coming weeks would include the distribution of more than 150 transformers across Ogun State.

Although he declined to promise that all the transformers would be allocated to Ado-Odo/Ota, he indicated that the local government would receive considerable attention.

He acknowledged the importance of reliable electricity to residential communities, businesses, commercial establishments and small-scale industries.

According to him, the distribution exercise would address some of the immediate electricity challenges identified by stakeholders.

More importantly, he promised that his proposed administration would work towards ensuring that transformer shortages would no longer constitute a recurring problem for local governments across the state.

"Never again would transformers become an issue for any local government in Ogun State," he assured.

The commitment attracted attention because electricity remains a major concern for communities and businesses across different parts of the state.

Adeola's promise suggests that rural electrification and power infrastructure would form part of the immediate interventions he intends to pursue.

THREE-TIER DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR OGUN STATE

In explaining how he intended to translate the demands of the people into government action, Adeola disclosed that he had received a working document containing requests and recommendations from community development stakeholders.

He said the document would guide his proposed development agenda and had been divided into short-term, medium-term and long-term interventions.

The first category, according to him, would involve projects that could be implemented immediately or within the first few weeks.

Rural electrification, particularly the provision of transformers, featured prominently in this category.

The second category would comprise projects requiring early attention upon assumption of office.

He explained that some of the demands submitted by community representatives would require immediate consideration because of their importance to the lives and economic activities of residents.

The third category would involve long-term projects that would require comprehensive planning and appropriate budgetary provisions.

Adeola said the long-term projects would be accommodated within the annual budgetary process of his proposed administration.

He described the stakeholders' document as an important working instrument, stressing that governance should be guided by the actual needs of the people rather than assumptions made by political officeholders.

He also acknowledged the contribution of the Community Development Committee leadership in compiling and presenting the demands.

The senator said the engagement was deliberately organised to provide an opportunity for direct interaction with the people, rather than merely holding a political rally.

According to him, the people of Ogun State deserved an opportunity to communicate their challenges and expectations to anyone aspiring to lead them.

He noted that the meeting was therefore designed to identify the needs of individual communities and establish priorities for future development.

"I WILL IMPROVE ON THE STANDARD I HAVE SET"

Adeola repeatedly referenced his senatorial record as evidence of his capacity to lead Ogun State.

He argued that his experience in the National Assembly had provided him with the opportunity to understand the workings of government, public finance, legislative processes and project facilitation.

He said attracting 206 projects to Ogun West within three and a half years provided a benchmark for assessing his performance.

According to him, the people should use his current record to evaluate what he could potentially accomplish as governor.

He declared that he would not lower the standard he had established through his senatorial interventions.

"I can only improve on what I am doing currently; I cannot go down. I cannot! Because a standard has been set," he said.

The senator also acknowledged the developmental efforts of the outgoing administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

He commended the governor for laying what he described as a foundation for economic development and promised to sustain areas of progress while introducing changes where necessary.

Adeola said his proposed administration would build on existing achievements, improve policies where required and introduce new initiatives to address emerging challenges.

He described this approach as continuity with improvement rather than an abandonment of existing development programmes.

YAYI: OGUN WEST DESERVES GOVERNORSHIP

A major political dimension of the gathering emerged when Adeola spoke about the historical aspiration of Ogun West to produce a governor.

He described the 2027 governorship election as a defining opportunity for the senatorial district to assume leadership of the state.

According to him, Ogun West had remained committed to the aspiration of producing a governor since the creation of Ogun State.

He said the district had produced several qualified political leaders over the years and deserved the opportunity to occupy the state's highest political office.

Adeola also acknowledged other political aspirants from Ogun West, noting that those who had indicated interest in the governorship deserved respect for their contributions to the district's political development.

However, he declared his readiness to lead the effort to ensure that Ogun West produced the next governor.

He maintained that his experience, record of public service and development interventions placed him in a strong position to pursue the ambition.

"I am the best candidate to do this," he declared.

He further described the political aspiration as an opportunity to change the historical narrative of Ogun West and secure greater participation in the leadership of the state.

The senator urged stakeholders to see the forthcoming election as an important opportunity to advance the district's political interests.

He also pledged to sustain the development foundation laid by the present administration while introducing his own priorities.

AKIN ODUNSI DEMANDS FOUR COMMISSIONERS, 18 BUSES FOR ADO-ODO/OTA

One of the most politically engaging contributions at the meeting came from former Senator Akin Odunsi, who used his address to highlight what he described as the strategic importance of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government in Ogun State politics.

Odunsi, who acknowledged his own experience as a former senator, commended Adeola for his development interventions and described him as a politician who combines promises with action.

He said his experience in the Senate had exposed him to the difficulties involved in attracting development projects, particularly when political circumstances were unfavourable.

Odunsi noted that despite the challenges he encountered during his own time in the National Assembly, his contributions to his constituency remained visible.

He therefore expressed confidence in Adeola's capacity to deliver more projects.

However, he made it clear that Ado-Odo/Ota would expect substantial political and developmental recognition if Adeola eventually emerged as governor.

The former senator argued that Ado-Odo/Ota was a major federal constituency with considerable voting strength and economic importance.

He maintained that the local government had the capacity to deliver votes comparable to those of several other local governments combined.

Using that argument, Odunsi called for greater representation for Ado-Odo/Ota in the proposed administration.

He said the local government would not be satisfied with only three commissioners, insisting that its population, political strength and contribution to the electoral fortunes of Ogun West justified at least four commissioner positions.

He also called for the provision of 18 branded buses to support political mobilisation across the local government.

According to him, the buses would strengthen grassroots campaigns and improve the ability of political stakeholders to reach communities ahead of the 2027 election.

Odunsi further raised the issue of local government administration, urging Adeola to consider the establishment of at least six Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ota if the LCDAs system was reintroduced.

He argued that the geographical spread, population and administrative demands of Ado-Odo/Ota justified the creation of additional administrative units.

His requests reflected the broader expectation among grassroots political leaders that the local government should receive commensurate political representation and infrastructure investment.

Odunsi also acknowledged the importance of traditional institutions, particularly the Awori Traditional Council, and called for appropriate recognition and support.

His speech underscored the bargaining that often accompanies political engagements, where community stakeholders use their numerical strength and electoral relevance to articulate expectations from prospective political leaders.

TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS RECEIVE RECOGNITION

The presence and support of traditional rulers formed another important aspect of the gathering.

Adeola acknowledged the traditional institution's role in community development and expressed gratitude to the royal fathers for their support over the years.

He singled out the Olota of Ota, Oba Professor AbdulKadir Adeyemi Obalanlege, whom he described as an important figure in his political journey.

The senator recalled that the traditional ruler had supported his senatorial aspiration from the early stages of his campaign.

He said the monarch and the traditional council had remained supportive since he indicated interest in governing Ogun State.

Adeola also acknowledged the contributions of other traditional rulers, community leaders and stakeholders from across the local government.

He described Ado-Odo/Ota as his political home and said the support he had received from the traditional institution remained significant to his political journey.

The senator's remarks reflected the influence of traditional institutions in grassroots mobilisation and community development, particularly in a politically significant area such as Ogun West.

OLOTA COMMENDS YAYI, SEEKS MORE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

The Olota of Ota, Oba Professor AbdulKadir Adeyemi Obalanlege, also commended Adeola for attracting development projects to the area.

The monarch appreciated the senator's interventions and acknowledged the importance of infrastructure development to the wellbeing of communities in Yewa and Awori land.

He also made additional requests aimed at expanding development opportunities for the people.

Among the issues raised was the need for an arcade to be sited in the Ansar-Ud-Deen area.

The monarch's intervention highlighted the importance of sustaining engagement between elected representatives and traditional institutions.

Royal fathers, as custodians of culture and community interests, often serve as important channels through which the needs and expectations of residents are communicated to government.

The Olota's remarks therefore added another dimension to the stakeholders' engagement, demonstrating that even as existing interventions were acknowledged, further development needs remained.

DEPUTY GOVERNOR SEEKS UNIVERSITY, TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR OGUN WEST

The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele, also commended Adeola and called for increased investment in higher education within Ogun West.

She expressed appreciation for the senator's interventions and highlighted the need to expand access to tertiary education for young people in the area.

According to the transcription of her remarks, she requested that a state university and other tertiary institutions be considered for establishment in Ogun West.

She argued that locating such institutions within the district would improve educational opportunities for young people and reduce the challenges associated with travelling long distances to access higher education.

The request is particularly significant given the increasing demand for university admission and the need to distribute educational infrastructure more equitably across the state.

The establishment of additional tertiary institutions could also stimulate economic activities, create employment opportunities and encourage investment in surrounding communities.

Salako-Oyedele's intervention reinforced the argument that development in Ogun West should extend beyond roads and public utilities to include educational infrastructure capable of preparing young people for future opportunities.

YAYI RECOGNISES WIFE, DEPUTY GOVERNOR AND PARTY LEADERS

Adeola also used the occasion to acknowledge individuals who, according to him, had played important roles in his political journey and governorship ambition.

He gave special recognition to his wife, whom he described as the love of his life and a dependable partner of more than 27 years.

He praised her support and expressed appreciation for her participation in his political engagements across the state.

The senator described her as a source of encouragement and acknowledged her contribution to his ambition.

He also recognised the Deputy Governor, Engineer Noimot Salako-Oyedele, whom he described as a close associate with whom he had maintained a relationship for more than two decades.

Adeola praised her professional accomplishments, particularly her accounting qualifications and previous experience in the corporate sector.

He expressed confidence in her capacity and described her as a disciplined professional.

He also acknowledged other political leaders, campaign officials, royal fathers and party stakeholders present at the event.

Among those recognised were members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), community leaders and political associates who had participated in the various stakeholder engagements across Ogun State.

He particularly appreciated the support of the traditional institution in Ado-Odo/Ota, noting that its encouragement had remained consistent since he declared his interest in the governorship race.

COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS: GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT MUST CONTINUE

The remarks of the community champions also brought attention to the importance of grassroots participation in governance.

The representative explained that community champions were often the first point of contact when residents faced challenges involving sanitation, security, environmental management and peaceful coexistence.

He argued that their contributions were sometimes overlooked despite the enormous responsibilities they carried.

According to him, community development could not be achieved through government intervention alone without the active participation of residents and local stakeholders.

He therefore called for continued collaboration between political officeholders, community development associations and traditional institutions.

His commendation of Adeola was based largely on the number of projects he said had been facilitated across the area.

He described the senator's interventions as evidence that purposeful representation could produce tangible benefits for ordinary people.

The community representative also urged the senator to sustain the momentum and ensure that the developmental needs of the area remained a priority.

ADO-ODO/OTA'S POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The stakeholders' engagement also highlighted the strategic importance of Ado-Odo/Ota in the political calculations surrounding the 2027 governorship election.

As one of the major population and commercial centres in Ogun West, the local government occupies an important position in the political and economic landscape of the state.

Its industrial activities, residential communities, commercial establishments and proximity to Lagos make it a significant constituency in electoral mobilisation.

Odunsi's intervention particularly drew attention to the relationship between electoral strength and political representation.

His demand for four commissioners, 18 branded buses and six LCDAs reflected the expectations of political stakeholders who believe that the local government should enjoy substantial influence in any administration emerging from Ogun West.

However, the requests also raise broader questions about how prospective administrations would balance political representation with competence, geographical considerations, administrative efficiency and equitable distribution of public resources.

For Adeola, the engagement offered an opportunity to reassure stakeholders that his governorship ambition would be driven by development priorities and a willingness to engage directly with communities.

BEYOND CAMPAIGN PROMISES: THE CHALLENGE OF IMPLEMENTATION

While the gathering was characterised by commendations, political endorsements and expressions of confidence, the extensive list of requests presented by stakeholders also underscored the scale of developmental expectations confronting any incoming administration.

The demands ranged from road construction and electricity supply to education, healthcare, traditional institutions, commercial infrastructure and administrative restructuring.

The proposed rural development agenda, in particular, would require substantial financial resources, careful planning and coordination among state and local government authorities.

Similarly, the promise to distribute more than 150 transformers across Ogun State would require an effective allocation and implementation framework to ensure that the equipment reaches communities with the greatest needs.

The 13 additional road projects announced for Ado-Odo/Ota would also require transparent execution, appropriate engineering standards and sustained supervision.

The proposed ultra-modern Oja Ota Market would need to be designed to meet the needs of traders while improving the commercial environment.

These expectations place considerable responsibility on Adeola to translate the assurances given at the meeting into measurable development outcomes.

The senator's reference to a short-, medium- and long-term development framework suggests an attempt to organise the demands into manageable priorities.

However, the ultimate test of any development agenda would be its implementation, the quality of completed projects and their impact on the lives of residents.

2027: A POLITICAL MOMENT FOR OGUN WEST

The engagement in Ado-Odo/Ota represents another important step in the political activities surrounding the 2027 governorship election.

Adeola's ambition has generated considerable discussion within Ogun West, where the aspiration to produce a governor has remained an important political issue.

His message to stakeholders was that his record in the Senate should provide sufficient evidence of his ability to manage the affairs of the state.

By presenting the 206 projects facilitated in Ado-Odo/Ota and announcing additional interventions, he sought to demonstrate that his relationship with the people was based on tangible development rather than political promises alone.

He also emphasised the importance of continuity in government, particularly in relation to the economic foundation laid by the current administration.

His position suggests that his proposed government would retain programmes and policies considered beneficial while introducing reforms and new development initiatives.

For Ado-Odo/Ota, the engagement was equally an opportunity to present its expectations and negotiate its place in the political and developmental future of Ogun State.

From the demands of community champions to the intervention of former Senator Akin Odunsi, the message was clear: the people expect development, political recognition and sustained engagement beyond the election period.

The traditional institution also reinforced the need for continued investment in communities, while the Deputy Governor's call for a university and additional tertiary institutions in Ogun West broadened the conversation to include the future of education in the district.

THE ROAD AHEAD

As the 2027 governorship election approaches, Adeola faces the task of converting the goodwill expressed at stakeholder meetings into broader political support across Ogun State.

His declaration that he would improve on the standard established during his senatorial representation provides the central argument of his campaign.

For the people of Ado-Odo/Ota, the immediate expectation will be the commencement and completion of the 13 announced road projects, the proposed Oja Ota Market and the additional interventions promised for the coming weeks.

Beyond these immediate projects, residents will be watching how the senator's proposed rural development agenda, electricity commitments and educational infrastructure plans translate into practical outcomes.

The political expectations are equally significant.

The calls for increased representation in the state cabinet, branded campaign buses and additional LCDAs indicate that stakeholders are already considering the political arrangements that could accompany an Ogun West-led administration.

Whether these expectations will be accommodated remains to be seen.

What is clear, however, is that the Ado-Odo/Ota stakeholders' engagement went beyond a routine political gathering.

It provided a platform for accountability, development demands, political negotiations and the presentation of a governorship vision.

For Adeola, the challenge is now to sustain the momentum, deliver on the projects announced and convince voters across the state that his experience in the Senate has adequately prepared him for the responsibilities of governing Ogun State.

For Ogun West, the 2027 election represents another opportunity to pursue its long-standing aspiration to produce a governor.

And for Ado-Odo/Ota, the message to whoever eventually occupies the Government House at Oke-Mosan is unmistakable: development must reach the grassroots, political representation must reflect the people's contribution, and the promises made to communities must translate into visible results.