Ogun West Governorship Ambition Hindered By Godfatherism And Elite Rivalries, Warns Senate Leader
By Oludare Joshua
The Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has expressed concerns regarding the inability of the Ogun West Senatorial District to produce a governor, attributing the situation to rivalry among political godfathers, factional disputes, and a lack of coordination among elite groups within the zone.
During a media chat titled “The Power of Internal Coherence in Securing External Support: Roadmap for Achieving Ogun West Governorship Ambition in 2027,” organized by the Ogun West Professionals for YAYI in Ilaro, Bamidele articulated that the persistent internal divisions have significantly weakened the district’s bargaining power in Ogun State’s political landscape, resulting in its marginalization both electorally and institutionally.
Bamidele noted that Ogun West has not only faced continual electoral setbacks but has also experienced reduced political representation, slower infrastructural development, and limited access to political benefits. This culmination of challenges has created a sense of alienation, particularly amongst professionals and the youth in the district.
Emphasizing the need for unity and collective interests, Bamidele warned that political leaders, traditional rulers, civil society actors, and professionals in Ogun West must prioritize regional solidarity over personal ambitions. He remarked, “Political power is rarely granted to divided regions. It is negotiated by organized, united, and strategic stakeholders.”
He highlighted the complex dynamics contributing to Ogun West’s struggles, such as the deep-seated polarization among Yewa, Awori, and other allied sub-groups, as well as rivalry among elites and competing political aspirants. Bamidele cautioned that failure to address these issues could result in prolonged political sidelining for the region, allowing external factions to dictate outcomes while escalating youth frustration.
“No amount of resources can substitute for internal disunity,” he asserted, suggesting that unity would naturally attract external political support. Bamidele urged stakeholders to engage in strategic coordination, professional planning, and consensus-building, advocating for a unified political voice and a singular regional slogan.
He further identified the current Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, affectionately known as YAYI, as a leader capable of embodying the qualities necessary to realize the senatorial district’s long-held governorship aspirations.
In related remarks, Dr. Iziaq Salako, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, reinforced the importance of unity and inclusiveness in the pursuit of political power. He encouraged advocates of the Ogun West governorship ambition to resolve disagreements through dialogue and understanding rather than confrontation, calling for policies that ensure no one is left behind. Salako expressed optimism that such an inclusive approach would help fulfill the Yewa governorship dreams by 2027.
