Amos Adetunji
As they say, no one can resist an idea whose time has come. Without doubt, it is about time, and also a dream come true for Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the Senator who represents Ogun State West Senatorial District in his desire to govern Ogun State. And this is already public knowledge. The uncommon lawmaker who saw tomorrow, is about to make history in his home state as the first governor from Ogun West since the state was created in 1976. Any surprises?
Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, is a skilled professional, an astute politician, a witty leader, an acclaimed parliamentarian, a great orator, a conciliatory personality, a compassionate leader and a man who enjoys the best of two worlds. This colourful politician who is a big star in Nigeria’s political firmament, is undoubtedly, the heir apparent in-waiting, in Ogun State politics.
Adeola’s journey in politics actually began in earnest in 2003 when he was elected into Lagos State Legislature to represent Alimosho Constituency 2, a position he held for two terms of eight years. While in Lagos as a parliamentarian, Adeola worked in concert with other like-minded lawmakers and recorded a major milestone in the enactment of a ground-breaking law that strengthened the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service. Eventually, this piece of legislation moved the revenue of Lagos from N5 billion monthly to N20 billion. Yayi, as he is fondly called, was also part of the historic group of parliamentarians that passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act and the Public Procurement Act of Lagos State in those early and turbulent years in the state’s House of Assembly.
Since then, Adeola has remained chivalrous, adventurous, courageous and anxious for good governance.
In no time, this unusual politician became very popular with his legislative agenda, his statement of principles, team work, life-changing programmes for his constituents and an open-door policy that gave access to many people in his constituency and beyond. As he worked assiduously to make a point in the chambers and also engrave his name, many people knew at the time that his elevation was just a matter of time. In a moment, the expected upgrade came, and he was rewarded by the good people of Alimosho with a seat in Nigeria’s Federal House of Representatives. So, in 2015, after a term in Nigeria’s Lower House, Adeola moved a notch above the Green Chamber with his election into the Upper Legislative House. Again, this time in 2019, he repeated that feat by earning a return to the Senate where he currently serves as Chairman, Finance Committee, a Grade A Committee in the National Assembly.
In all, it will be difficult to write about the 9th Assembly without all the contributions of Adeola, a man who fully understands the need to make some high-stakes investments, not only in politics but also in the people he represents. And, that for many watchers of his unique politics, is the only way for the politician to remain relevant, sustain his giant strides and maintain his leadership position as the biggest political brand in the politics of the entire Ogun West today. For those who know, this Distinguished Senator who has friends in high places, also enjoys tremendous goodwill across politicians and political parties in the entire South-West because of his progressive brand of politics. As a dutiful lawmaker, is closely associated with many Bills that he sponsored personally, including others that he co-sponsored with like-minded legislators. Prominent among such Bills is The City University of Technology, Yaba, a Bill which seeks to transform Yabatech, Nigeria’s foremost institution of higher learning and research into a full-fledged university. Another Bill, Federal University of Technology, Ilaro Bill 2019 which provides for the transformation of Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro into a university is another evidence to the senator’s patriotism and altruism. One remarkable thing about this Bill is that Adeola, who was at the time, a representative of Lagos West, did not forget his people in Ogun State, his ancestral home. Another significant thing about this Bill is that once it is passed, Federal University of Technology, Ilaro will become the first public university in the entire Ogun West senatorial district. And then the NDDC Amendment Bill, 2019, which among other things, wants recognition and inclusion of new oil producing communities into the areas of coverage of this all-important Commission. How about his historic West-West move that earned him respect and also remained a major talking point for many months because of its expediency, novelty and boldness? Today, Yayi, is breaking new grounds and setting new records in politics and public administration like never before in the history and politics of the Yewa/Awori people.
It is important to note that for many years, the people of Ogun West faced all kinds of challenges, ranging from shortage of skilled labour, exclusion and neglect to absence of some basic infrastructure and more. Now, the narrative is radically changing, and Adeola is one of those at the forefront of that struggle. At the moment, the parliamentarian is empowering the people, helping out with skills acquisition, creating the needed socio-economic conditions, addressing critical issues in education and social infrastructure, reducing incentives for conflicts, pacifying aggrieved members of his zone and engendering hope as he promises to be governor of all, regardless. And as Adeola prepares to contest the coming governorship election in Ogun State, there is a sudden growth of positive public feeling and support in his favour, and this is remarkable. But this is not necessarily due to the issue of equity and the perception of exclusion. For followers of his politics, this is essentially because a very competent, empathetic and God-fearing man will be on the ballot this time around. In spite of this belief around his senatorial district’s long absence in the corridors of power since the state was created in 1976, Adeola and his teeming supporters habour no grudges towards anyone or institution for the delay. And they are not leaving anything to chance.
In a recent interview, Professor Abdulwahid Ajibola, a patriotic Nigerian and founder, Omoluabi Support for Good Governance, spoke about this exclusion, particularly with reference to political and social orders, two dynamics that determine so much in politics when elective positions are shared. He dissected the problems Ogun West faced over the years in producing a governor and painted a positive picture going forward. However, the good news, according to him, is that there is now a road map to addressing this vexed issue.
“In general, challenges faced by the people of Ogun West senatorial district in having one of their own securing the governorship position can be attributed to a combination of factors, including intra-party disagreements, lack of cohesive political strategy, and perhaps insufficient grassroots mobilization and support. However, it is noteworthy that the main factors one can attribute as the cause of Yewa indigenes not being elected as Ogun State governor since the creation of the state in 1976, in specific terms, were lack of unity of purpose and intention and absence of cohesiveness among the Ogun West people. Hence, this is tantamount to the difficult situation of their inability to present a common front to vie for the number one, coveted seat in the Gateway State. These often led to the presentation of multiple and unpopular candidates, consequential division of votes to the advantage of the other two senatorial districts – Ogun Central and Ogun East, that are mostly known to present and support one vibrant candidate each, within the party. These other two zones readily cashed in on those lapses over the years to the detriment of the Yewas. Now, the Yewa people have realized their follies and appear to appreciate where they got things wrong, causing the elusiveness of the governorship position in the past, as politics and politicking have been at play in recent times, with maturity in the Ogun West senatorial zone.”
But beyond a systematic attempt by party stalwarts, young people, professionals and leaders of thought in Ogun State to right a wrong, Adeola has the advantage of competence and preparation, and all these and more, have drastically reduced fear, anxiety, particularity and suspicion. Naturally, the situation is engendering trust and support, the two ingredients that the people of Ogun West Senatorial District need desperately to break the jinx. According to Professor Ajibola, the issue of human capacity which remains one of Yayi’s main points, is a major advantage for his people. “There is the emergence of a very popular, right-thinking, well-loved, friendly, amiable and formidable candidate from among them in the person of the Aremo of Yewaland, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi. He is a blessing to the people of Yewaland; a quintessential leader imbued with lots of wisdom like the olden days King Solomon in the Bible. Senator Adeola has the potential of breaking the jinx due to his extensive political experience, wide network and strong grassroots support. He is well qualified in terms of the law and achievements towards positively impacting the lives of the people, not only within his Senatorial district but outside the zone. His laudable, landmark and unprecedented achievements resonate across the whole country. His approach would likely involve uniting the party, leveraging his past achievements and presenting laudable undertakings. He will be building a robust, strategic campaign structure that resonates with the voters across different demographics. It is advisable that he does not address the electorate on negative pedestals or frivolities, but rather run issue-based campaigns.”
From every indication, it is clear that Adeola already knows what needs to be done in pursuit of his ambition to govern the Gateway State. Apart from building consensus, networking, appealing to party faithful and walking his talk, this governorship aspirant like no other on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is also uniting his party, leveraging his past achievements and emphasizing his laudable undertakings in the parliament. In addition, Yayi is not oblivious of strengthening his brand, reaching out to voters and building a strong and strategic political plan that has the capacity to resonate with the people, young or old, male or female. And he will be drawing substantially from his trustworthiness, team-playing spirit, loyalty, hard work, professional competence and wide-ranging legislative knowledge and experience.
Undoubtedly, it is now very clear that a dramatic turnaround awaits Ogun West with this highly anticipated entry of Adeola to this all-important governorship race. Many people are already of the opinion that he will be bringing to the office, experience, sagacity, a strong and supportive network of friends, competence, compassion and a friendly disposition. And, expectations are high for this liberator and jinx breaker who is also conscious of history. As things stand, the hopes of those who are privately and publicly investing their time, energy, resources and emotion in this future transformative government will not be dashed.
Born on August 10, 1969 at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, this thorough-bred professional and politician of great achievements, began his education at the State Primary School, Alimosho in Lagos State. After his primary education, he proceeded to Community Grammar School, Akowonjo, Lagos, where he passed his external examination with flying colours. Shortly after, he gained admission to Ondo State Polytechnic, now Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, where he bagged a Higher National Diploma, HND in Accounting. Adeola became a chartered accountant at a very young age and began a professional life that took him to many well-known organizations. Yayi who is also a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation, worked at The Guardian Newspapers where he rose to the position of Accountant before joining Olatunji Omoyeni & Co where he served as Senior Auditor. Adeola eventually established Sootem Nigerian Limited, his own company before politics beckoned. He is a happily married man with children.
