The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has pledged his support for the agitation for the creation of Ijebu State.

Adeola gave the assurance at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Bisrod Hall, Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The senator, who attended the meeting alongside his running mate, Mrs Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun, said he would support legitimate efforts towards actualising the proposed state, while ensuring that Ijebuland receives adequate attention in the nation’s development agenda.

“I assure you of my support for the creation of Ijebu State because Ijebu-Ode is my home. Permit me to say that I will continue all the good works of Governor Dapo Abiodun when I emerge as the Governor of Ogun State in 2027,” Yayi said.

He also outlined his vision for the economic transformation of Ogun State, particularly the development of Ogun Waterside through strategic investments in infrastructure and other critical sectors.

Among the projects he highlighted were commercial oil exploration and the establishment of a deep seaport, assuring the stakeholders that he would ensure the completion of the project during his administration.

Yayi further disclosed that his administration would establish a Ministry of Wealth Creation to provide more employment opportunities and promote economic prosperity across the state.

He also promised to reposition and rebrand the Ogun State Road Maintenance Agency (OGROMA), Ogun State Environmental Protection Agency (OGEPA) and Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA) for more effective service delivery.

The APC governorship candidate also pledged to strengthen partnerships with industries operating in the state to create adequate job opportunities for residents. He assured the people of Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of more developmental projects if elected governor.

Speaking on the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Adeola expressed optimism that a new Awujale would emerge in the not-too-distant future, adding that Governor Dapo Abiodun was working towards resolving the matter.

He also promised that the stakeholders’ meeting would become an annual event to provide a platform for regular interaction, feedback and engagement with the people.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Yayi Campaign Organisation, Senator Lekan Mustapha, described Adeola as a blessing to Ogun State, citing the numerous projects he had facilitated across the state despite not being a sitting governor.

According to him, Adeola’s record of interventions demonstrated his capacity to provide leadership for Ogun State.

“Let me say this: we are in Ijebu-Ode Local Government, and Ijebu-Ode is the mirror of Ijebuland. When you do well for Ijebu-Ode, the entire Ijebuland benefits. For Ijebu State to become a reality, the APC must emerge victorious,” Mustapha said.

Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, commended Senator Adeola for his commitment to the development of Ogun State and his numerous interventions across Ijebu-Ode.

Alebiosu highlighted some of the projects facilitated by the senator, including the ongoing construction of a 100-bed primary healthcare centre at the Ijebu-Ode General Hospital, road construction projects across the local government and the installation of solar-powered streetlights in some communities.

Dignitaries at the stakeholders’ meeting included the Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Pa O.B. Okuboyejo; Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Dapo Okubadejo; Hon. Bukola Onabanjo; Member representing Ijebu-Ode State Constituency, Hon. (Mrs.) Alhaja Bakare Omolola Olanrewaju; Hon. Femi Ogunbanwo; Chief Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga; former council chairmen; traditional rulers and other political stakeholders.