Ogun APC unveils Yayi’s running mate

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has unveiled Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun, a chartered accountant and daughter of industrialist, Alhaji Adebola Adegunwa, as the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

Governor Dapo Abiodun announced her emergence on Sunday during the APC Strategic Caucus Meeting held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta.

Abiodun said the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state.

Adegunwa-Balogun will run alongside the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

Her emergence follows the zoning of the deputy governorship position to Ogun East Senatorial District and its subsequent micro-zoning to the Ijebu Central Federal Constituency.

The 51-year-old finance expert currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Finance and Administration, at Rite Foods Limited.

Political observers view her nomination as a strategic move aimed at strengthening the APC’s appeal among professionals, women and voters in Ogun East ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking at the event, Abiodun commended party leaders and members for maintaining unity throughout the recently concluded primary elections, describing the process as unprecedented in the state’s political history.

According to him, the APC successfully produced candidates for elective positions without major disputes, litigation or factional crises.

“I have never witnessed anything like this in my years in politics in Ogun State. For the first time, leaders across generations came together to collectively endorse a successor, and that decision was accepted peacefully by all stakeholders,” Abiodun said.

He added that the consensus approach adopted during the governorship primary contributed to the smooth conduct of other primaries across the state.

“What we achieved reflects the true Ogun spirit. History will be kind to all of us because we have demonstrated that peaceful succession and consensus-building are possible in our politics,” he said.

The governor also praised aspirants who stepped aside for the sake of party unity, describing their sacrifices as critical to the APC’s stability and readiness for the 2027 elections.

Explaining the choice of Adegunwa-Balogun, Abiodun said the party considered equity and fairness in allocating the deputy governorship slot.

“If the government is coming from the West, we felt that for equity and fairness, the government should come from the East,” he said.

“So today, it gives me great pleasure to announce to us who our deputy governor will be by the grace of God. Today, we have amongst us Mrs. Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun and by the grace of God, Mrs. Adegunwa-Balogun will be our deputy governor.”

Also speaking, Adeola expressed confidence in Adegunwa-Balogun’s capacity to complement his administration if elected, citing her professional achievements, leadership experience and commitment to public service.

In her acceptance speech, Adegunwa-Balogun described her nomination as a call to service and pledged to deploy her experience in support of Ogun State’s development.

“I see this nomination as a call to duty and a privilege to serve. My over three decades of experience in various leadership and governance roles in the corporate world have prepared me for this moment,” she said.

She noted that her exposure to governance dates back to 1999 and said those experiences had given her valuable insight into public administration and service delivery.

“Since 1999, I have been closely associated with governance. These experiences have given me valuable insight into public service, its challenges, its impact and its sacred responsibility,” she stated.

The APC deputy governorship candidate said her emergence symbolised greater inclusion of women, youths and grassroots communities in governance.

“This nomination is not about me. It is about our shared responsibility. It is about the inclusion of women, youths and all citizens in shaping the future of Ogun State,” she said.

“Our goal is simple: a state where governance responds to the needs of its people, where development leaves no one behind, and where prosperity is shared by all.”

She also pledged to serve with integrity, transparency and accountability while working closely with Adeola to deepen grassroots participation in government.

“I commit to serving with integrity, accountability and deep respect for every citizen. I will work to bridge the gap between government and the grassroots, ensuring that policies reflect the needs and aspirations of our communities,” she added.