Ogun commissioner denies 2027 deputy governor ambition

The Chief Economic Adviser and Ogun State Commissioner for Finance, Dapo Okunbadejo, has dismissed reports suggesting he is being considered as All Progressives Congress consensus candidate Solomon Adeola’s known as Yayi running mate or Deputy Governor nominee in the 2027 governorship race.

In a statement on Monday, Okunbadejo described the reports circulating on social media as “misleading and entirely false,” insisting that he has neither engaged in discussions nor shown interest in any such political arrangement.

“My attention has been drawn to misleading reports circulating on social media suggesting that I, Dapo Okunbadejo, am being considered for the position of Deputy Governor of Ogun State.

“I wish to state unequivocally that these claims are entirely false. At no time have I held discussions, engaged in consultations, or indicated interest, publicly or privately, in such a position,” he said.

The commissioner stressed that his focus remains on his current responsibilities within the state government.

“My focus remains firmly on my current responsibilities as Chief Economic Adviser and Honourable Commissioner of Finance, where I am fully committed to supporting the ongoing fiscal and economic reforms of the Ogun State Government,” he added.

Okunbadejo urged the public and media to disregard what he called “unfounded insinuations” and rely only on verified information.

The clarification comes amid rising political realignments within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, following the reported adoption of Yayi, as the party’s governorship consensus candidate for the 2027 elections.

PidomNigeria Online had reported that the decision was reached during a strategic caucus meeting held at the APC state secretariat in Abeokuta, presided over by the party chairman, Yemi Sanusi, and attended by Governor Dapo Abiodun, former governors Olusegun Osoba, Ibikunle Amosun, and Gbenga Daniel, alongside serving and former lawmakers.

At the meeting, Abiodun declared Adeola as the party’s preferred governorship candidate and urged other aspirants to support the decision in the interest of unity.

The endorsement, which sparked celebrations among party loyalists chanting “Yayi ni jo, Yayi ni jare,” has since intensified political discussions across the state ahead of 2027.