The family of late Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO) Abiola has congratulated Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, on his emergence as the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State for the 2027 governorship election.
The family also commended the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and other leaders of the party for their roles in ensuring a peaceful and united consensus process that led to the emergence of the candidate.
Speaking on behalf of the family, the Head of the MKO Abiola family and first son of the late Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, Olamilekan Abiola, described Yayi’s emergence as well-deserved, noting that it reflects his leadership capacity, political experience, and commitment to public service.
According to him “We sincerely congratulate Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi on his emergence as the APC flagbearer in Ogun State. This milestone is well-deserved and a clear reflection of his dedication, experience, and service to the people.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Abiola Family Youth Wing, Saheed Abiola, described the development as a positive step for the state, saying that Yayi’s emergence reflects the trust reposed in him by party stakeholders.
“We congratulate Senator Yayi on this important milestone. His emergence shows the confidence the party and its leaders have in his ability to lead and deliver,” he said.
He added that the family remains optimistic that the development would further strengthen democracy and promote inclusive governance in Ogun State. (Guardian)
President Bola Tinubu has reassured Nigerians that the country will ultimately overcome banditry and terrorism despite current challenges.
He made the remarks while delivering a speech at the commissioning of the state-owned Gateway International Airport and Ogun State’s aircrafts in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area.
The president emphasised that Nigeria is on a path of development and greatness, driven by ongoing reforms in critical sectors of the economy, which have restored investor confidence.
“We will win over banditry and terrorism. I gave you the assurance that we will invest more in our people. Thank God for our youths, they are committed, brilliant and working hard. Nigeria, our country, is resolved to be great and is on the path to greatness once again,” Tinubu said.
The President added, “I sincerely appreciate the opportunity we have today to celebrate the remarkable vision of a governor and his predecessors. Today, we commission the economic nerve centre of our corridor.”
“In less than seven years, you, Dapo Abiodun, have demonstrated commitment, vision, and patriotism to grow Nigeria. We celebrate your contribution to national development. I have no regrets for whatever we have done with you.
“As your President, I am pleased to see that the increase in federal allocations is being effectively and judiciously used to build our country. I congratulate the people of this great state for supporting a government that is delivering measurable progress, and I thank you for your continued faith in our nation.”
Highlighting the people-centered nature of his administration’s investments, Tinubu said, “The Lord is liberating Nigeria from past mismanagement. We are back as a nation, well respected and highly recognized.”
He noted that the Gateway Airport is connected to investments in gas and energy and praised Governor Abiodun’s broader development projects, saying they reflect a commitment to progress that must “touch every level.”
Tinubu also commended Abiodun’s agricultural initiatives and the rollout of 1,000 electric bikes, describing them as “a smart response to modern transportation needs.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who also attended the ceremony, thanked Tinubu for making the effort to participate and called the event a significant milestone in Ogun State’s history.
He commended Governor Abiodun for building the airport, noting that it is a landmark project.
“I’ve landed here from Abuja, and it took me 45 minutes to reach my home — at least 25 minutes shorter than if I had landed in Lagos. I want to thank our governor for doing us proud. I am happy to witness this historic occasion,” Obasanjo said.
He also recalled being part of the “conspiracy” to create Ogun State 50 years ago and noted that the level of development achieved under Abiodun is beyond what anyone could have imagined.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio lauded Tinubu for reforms that have, in his view, relieved states of salary arrears and other financial burdens. He also commended Governor Abiodun for constructing the Gateway Airport and for the judicious use of increased federal allocations.
Governor Abiodun, visibly elated by the president’s presence, described it as deeply symbolic. He praised Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” saying it has positioned Nigeria as a competitive investment destination and inspired confidence among local and international investors.
He highlighted that when he assumed office, he realized that for Ogun State to maximize its proximity to Lagos, the administration had to close the infrastructure gap.
Over the last seven years, Abiodun said, his government has enhanced trade mobility, expanded infrastructure, and positioned Ogun as one of the fastest-growing economies in Nigeria through deliberate policies that promote economic development.
Abiodun also highlighted accomplishments in transportation, housing, healthcare, energy, agriculture, security, and environmental sustainability.
He noted the construction of over 1,600 kilometers of roads, including the Epe-Ijebu Ode Expressway, Sango-Abeokuta Expressway, Ilishan-Iperu Road, and the Sagamu–Iperu–Ode Remo–Sapade Expressway, now renamed the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Expressway, which serves as a bypass to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The state has also developed the Muhammadu Buhari Estate, offering 100 semi-detached and fully detached housing units, and over 7,000 affordable homes.
In healthcare, Abiodun pointed to 140 completed and equipped primary healthcare centers and the 200-bed Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence, now affiliated with the Abuja Medical Centre of Excellence, which he said reduces the need for medical travel and positions Ogun as a hub for medical tourism. Energy projects, including the 34.1-megawatt Onijanganjangan Independent Power Project, are supporting industrial growth and economic expansion, while mechanized farming initiatives are strengthening food security across the state.
The administration has also deployed 100 pickup vehicles and other infrastructure to support law enforcement, and introduced electric bikes to promote sustainable urban transportation and mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by governors of Zamfara, Bayelsa, Taraba, Ekiti, Ondo, Niger, and Lagos states, as well as the deputy governors of Oyo and Lagos. Former Ogun State governors Senators Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Dr. Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Ambassador Femi Pedro, Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa, CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, chairmen of Dangote and BUA Groups, Femi Otedola, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu, CEO of Zenith Bank, and Comptroller-General of Customs Bashir Adeniyi were also in attendance. (Channels)
Governors of the South-West states on Monday held a closed-door meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The meeting was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, who is also the Chairman of the regional forum.
Others included Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), and the host governor, Seyi Makinde (Oyo).
Channels Television reports that the venue of the meeting is the Oyo State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, where Makinde’s office is situated.
Although it is unclear why the emergency meeting was called, it may, however, not be unconnected with the security situation in the country where bandits have abducted some schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger states, as well as some worshippers in a church in Kwara State.
Sources said the governors would deliberate on the security threats, fast-track infrastructural development, and strengthen regional integration under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN).
They are also expected to review ongoing collaborative security initiatives, including the operations of the Amotekun Corps, with a view to enhancing its capacity amid emerging challenges. (Channels)
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has expressed deep sadness over the demise of Dr. Doyin Abiola, widow of the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola.
Dr Abiola, former Managing Director of the National Concord newspaper, reportedly died on Tuesday at the age of 82.
Abiodun, in a condolence message on Wednesday, noted that Dr. Abiola was not only a devoted partner to her husband, Chief Moshood Abiola, but also a distinguished individual in her own right, who contributed immensely to the journalism profession.
The governor noted Dr. Abiola’s foray in the field of journalism, starting with the Daily Sketch Newspaper and a brief stint with the Daily Times before becoming the Managing Director of the Concord Newspapers.
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Doyin Abiola, a remarkable woman whose contributions to society and unwavering support for her late husband during the tumultuous period surrounding the June 12, 1993 presidential election in Nigeria will forever be remembered.
“Her dedication to justice, democracy, and the betterment of her country exemplifies the strength and resilience of her character.
“She displayed excellent spirit in the fight for the validation of the annulled June 12 election as the person in charge of the Concord Group of Newspapers, owned by her then embattled husband.
“She played a significant role in advocating for the democratic ideals that many Nigerians still strive to uphold today. Her commitment to these principles, particularly during a time of great political unrest, demonstrated her courage and unwavering belief in the power of democracy.
“As we reflect on Dr. Abiola’s life, it is essential to acknowledge the sacrifices she made alongside her husband during a period marked by challenges and adversity.
Her strength in the face of political turmoil exemplifies the spirit of resilience as she stood steadfastly by her husband, providing support and encouragement during trying times, and her unwavering dedication to his vision for a better Nigeria will never be forgotten.
“In addition to her political involvement, Dr. Abiola will also be remembered for her contribution to the journalism profession.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all who admired her. We must continue to uphold her ideals and strive for the principles she passionately advocated for throughout her life,” the statement noted. (Punch)
The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its 2023 gubernatorial candidate in the state, Ladi Adebutu, on Monday endorsed President Bola Tinubu as their candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The State party chairman, Abayomi Tella, disclosed this in Sagamu, at the official campaign flag-off and inauguration of the campaign council for Bolarinwa Oluwole, the PDP candidate for the Remo Federal Constituency bye-election.
Bolarinwa is seeking to replace the late Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, the former lawmaker representing the constituency, who passed away in January after a brief illness.
Addressing the party faithful at the palace of Akarigbo of Remoland, Tella said Ogun PDP has adopted President Tinubu as its candidate because he is from the Southwest.
“We will support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Though he is in the opposition, let us support our own from the Southwest. Our support is for Tinubu, and we will stand by him. We are ready to give him our votes. The whole of the Southwest will give him our votes.
“We are going to support him. We will give him our votes. All we want in that election is fairness and justice,” Tella said.
Speaking on the recent defection of the party’s former governorship running mate, Adekunle Akinlade, and others to the ruling APC in the state, he described them as immaterial, stressing that most of them lack political weight.
He said, “Do not be discouraged by the defections. Those who left—what did they contribute to the party? Even their polling units, they couldn’t deliver. We are not moved by that,” he added.
Also speaking, Adebutu said Ogun PDP holds no grudge against Tinubu and his candidacy.
He, however, accused Governor Dapo Abiodun of bad governance and vowed that the PDP will challenge the ruling APC in the state come 2027.
He said, “I was with the President in January, and I told him that we have no issue with his leadership and candidacy.
“We, however, have an issue with bad governance in Ogun State; that is why we must have this platform to challenge bad governance.”
He emphasised the importance of winning the bye-election and the need to challenge bad governance in the state.
Adebutu noted that the party won 34 wards out of 35 in the previous election in the federal constituency, saying the APC-led government has lost goodwill due to its conduct.
Adebutu rallied support for the PDP candidate, describing the bye-election as an opportunity to punish bad governance and restore sanity.
On his part, the PDP candidate for the Remo Federal Constituency, Hon. Bolarinwa Oluwole, pledged quality representation if elected.
The National Vice Chairman of PDP, Engr Kamorudeen Ajisafe, presented the party’s flag to the candidate, Bolarinwa Oluwole. (Vanguard)
The National Association of Nigerian Students has commended the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for approving the reconstruction of more roads across the state.
The student body also lauded the governor for authorising the procurement of ultra-modern security gadgets to strengthen the state’s security architecture and safeguard infrastructure.
Abiodun had announced the approval of the road projects during the weekly meeting of the State Executive Council.
The newly approved roads include the 5.4km Ogbeere–Orita Mobi Junction Road in Ijebu East Local Government, the 3.2km Erinlu–Imosan Road in Odogbolu Local Government, and the 2.0km Imodi–Imosan Road, also in Odogbolu Local Government.
NANS, in a statement issued on Friday in Abeokuta by the Chairman of its Ogun Joint Campus Committee, Gabriel Abiola, described the governor’s approval as a giant stride in the current administration’s efforts to improve infrastructure across the state.
He said, “The newly approved roads, along with 11 others earlier earmarked for rehabilitation across the three senatorial districts, will significantly boost intrastate transportation for commuters and aid the movement of farm produce.”
Abiola also paised the Abiodun-led administration for its commitment to the construction and rehabilitation of roads since inception, saying the state has witnessed remarkable infrastructural transformation under the current government.
While commending the governor’s achievements across all sectors, particularly in education, the NANS chairman urged him not to relent in his efforts to make Ogun State better than he met it.
He specifically applauded Abiodun for ensuring the continuation and completion of road projects abandoned by the previous administration.
Abiola, however, appealed to the governor to also consider roads leading to campuses of tertiary institutions for rehabilitation, reminding him of his promise to construct the access road to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.
The NANS chairman affirmed that students in the state will continue to support the governor’s efforts to move Ogun to greater heights of socioeconomic development. (Punch)
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