Since the return to democracy in 1999, several prominent politicians from Ogun West (Yewa-Awori) have vied for the governorship in an attempt to break the “district jinx.”
For decades, the district has sought to produce a governor, often falling short due to internal divisions and external political dynamics.
7 candidates from Ogun West who wants to rule the state
Several sons of Ogun West have aspired to be the governor of Ogun State and lost. They attempted under different political parties but still failed. Abiodun Akinlade made the highest attempts.
Here is a list of the key candidates and the years they contested:
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Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, one of the most consistent contestants
Popularly known as GNI has contested to be the governor of Ogun State three consecutive times. GNI had contested under three different political parties to achieve the Ogun West dream of producing a governor.
In 2011, he contested under Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) and lost. In 2015, he contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and lost.
Not relenting, he tried again for the third as the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and lost again.
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Adekunle Akinlade came close in 2019
He went to the polls as a candidate from Ogun West and loss twice. In 2019, he contested as a governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) and suffered a huge loss.
In 2023, he contested alongside Ladi Adebutu as deputy governor of Ogun state and their party lost to APC’s Dapo Abiodun.
In 2019, he came remarkably close to victory under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), losing to the incumbent Dapo Abiodun by a narrow margin.
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Biyi Otegbeye rests after first attempt
He tried to become the Ogun State governor in 2023 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but lost to Dapo Abiodun of the APC.
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Abiodun Akinlade, most experienced constestant
He lost his attempt to become the Ogun State governor at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary level. He could not advance to the level of the party candidate.
Akinlade had contested at four consecutive gubernatorial election primaries and lost. He contested in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023.
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Waliu Taiwo dumps his dream after first attempt
Taiwo lost at his first attempt in 2011. He did not make it to the level of the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate. He could not make it pass the primary aspirant level.
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Kolawole Bajomo made it to primaries
Bajomo, the accountant and politician contested once in 2007 under the Action Congress (AC) as an aspirant but could not go beyond that level.
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Solomon Olamilekan Adeola
Solomon Olamilekan Adeola popularly known as Yayi has been named the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 governorship elections.
Will he break the Ogun West jinx?
Watch Solomon Olamilekan Adeola flanked by his brothers from Ogun West, Hon Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI) and Hon Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade during his announcement as APC consensus candidate in Ogun State below:
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Deputy governors produced by Ogun West since 1999
While Ogun West (Yewa-Awori) is yet to produce an elected governor, the district has been very successful in securing the deputy governor slot.
Since the Fourth Republic began in 1999, two deputy governors have emerged from Ogun West. Both have served alongside governors from the Ogun East senatorial district.
- Alhaja Salimot Badru who hails from Ipokia local government was the deputy of Otunba Gbenga Daniel between 2003 to 2011.
- Alhaja Noimot Salako-Oyedele is the deputy governor of Ogun State working with Governor Dapo Abiodun since 2019 till hopefully 2027. She is from Ado-Odo/Ota local government.
