2027 and the Politics of Ojude-Oba Festival
……Why Senator Adeola’Yayi’ was tactically shut out
The century old Ojude Oba festival often celebrated by all Ijebu sons and daughters,home and abroad was often devoid of politics and religious tone.
Though it evolved from the yearly Islamic festival of El del Kabir it has over the years become a cultural event where all and sundry irrespective of religious belief turn up gaily dressed with royalties to showcase the rich tradition of the people often referred to as Omo Alaren.
However,this years celebration witnessed a political undertone as a leading governorship aspirant,Senator Solomon Adeola aka Yayi representing Ogun West on the platform of All Peoples Congress,APC was tactically prevented from attending the event.
Yayi known for his open display of mass followership and attention at events as a result of his political activities and ambition, was said to have been advised to stay off.
This our reporter gathered was informed by the body language of Governor Dapo Abiodun who was said to have told the organizers he won’t honour the invitation if Yayi is invited.
Efforts to get the reaction of Abioduns aide proved abortive as they failed to respond to enquiries regarding the governors tacit disapproval of Yayis invitation by the 2025 Ojude Oba planning committee.
One of the aides who should know said he was in far away Lagos during the festive period.
Thpoor disposition to Yayi our source revealed explains why the Governor didn’t spend much time after his address in order not to out the organizers in a fix.
Abioduns action towards the Senator, it was gathered stems from Yayis alleged ‘disruptive’ attitude whenever he arrives at public events especially occasions that has political setting.
This attitude which was learnt has often draw attention of guests was seen as disrespective to protocols of the governor and other important guests.
Yayi,it will be recalled has embarked on several constituency projects that extends beyond his Ogun West Senatorial District all in his bid to clinch the APC ticket during the 2027 governorship elections.
Since the creation of Ogun state in 1976,no indigene of Yewa-the predominant tribal group in the Senatorial zone has ruled the state.
The efforts by its leading political figures led by the late Senator Jonathan Odebiyi,Dr Tunji Otegbeye, Professor Afolabi Olabimtan, Ebun Oyagbola, Senator Anisulowo,Iyabo Apanpa, and of late Gboyega Nasir Isiaka has failed to resonate as their efforts in the emergent political parties in the second,third and present fourth republic has met with failure.
Since he emerged as the Senator representing Ogun West ,Yayi as he is popularly called has not hidden his ambition to clinch the gubernatorial ticket.
This,it was gathered has set him on collision course with Governor Abiodun who is not at home with the Senator.
Indeed,Abiodun was said to have his eyes on six of his Commissioners and Aides in the government and APC to succeed him.
All this favorites, it was gathered are from Yewa and have been asked to work together with whoever among them got his nod to carry the APC flag.
Senator Solomon Adeola
Yayi,on his own is said to rely on his various projects all over the state and support from the APC National leadership who are privy to his relocating from Lagos where he was Senator between 2015-2023 in order to prepare ground for him to realise his ambition.
On this, he is seen as a Lagos boy with tremendous support from President Bola Tinubu.
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The crux of the matter is that all but one of elected local government chairmen in the state emerged from the Abiodun camp.
The race towards who clinch the ticket on the platform of the APC will be very interesting in the coming months as the popularity of the Yewa Senator could not be wished away on account of his various constituency projects ,a feat which none of the other two Senators and House of Representatives members has achieved in the past twenty years.
Since preparation for the now internationally recognised Ojude Oba festival always start few months after any years event,the organizers have much to plan since next year’s edition will be much closer to the 2027 general election.
Since ,the race is very likely to be fought between candidates from Yewa and Egba, capital of Ogun Central Senatorial district,the organizers have much to put in place necessary logistics as all the contenders will use the carnival like festivity to get the attention of the Ijebu who will decide who to follow among the contestants
