•Senator Solomon Adeola fondly called Yayi, his wife Adeola and his running mate, Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun
The Ogun State Council of Baales and a group of retirees in the state have endorsed the governorship aspiration of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
The Baales and the retirees, under the aegis of the Yayi Retirees Network, announced their endorsement during separate strategic consultative meetings held with the governorship candidate in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, yesterday, reports The PUNCH.
According to a statement issued today, the groups said their decision was based on their assessment of Adeola’s performance over the years and their belief that he is best positioned to drive the development of Ogun State.
Reading the Baales’ communique, the Chairman of the Ogun State Council of Baales, Chief Tunji Falola, said the endorsement was informed by Adeola’s “proven record of service, his demonstrated commitment to community development and our confidence in his vision for a greater Ogun State.”
He said, “His record of service speaks for itself. Across Ogun West and indeed the 20 local government areas of the state today, Senator Yayi has delivered life-changing projects including roads, schools, hospitals, markets, town halls, streetlights, water schemes, transformers, electricity projects and extensive empowerment programmes.
“We also appreciate the respect and support he has consistently extended to traditional institutions, particularly the Council of Baales.”
Earlier, Falola said the Baales, as the closest traditional institution to people at the grassroots, represent all sections of society and were committed to mobilising unprecedented votes for Adeola.
He described the senator as a philanthropist whose empowerment programmes had brought relief to many people.
“As Baales, we don’t just follow any politician, but we are supporting Senator Adeola because of his good deeds in society and his support for us over the last four years. We are committed to ensuring that he not only wins but wins with votes that will surpass the highest winning tally of 450,000 previously recorded in Ogun State,” he said.
Falola appealed to the senator to place all Baales on a uniform salary structure and make them part of his administration from May 29, 2027, particularly at the local government level.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, the President of YAREN, Pastor (Mrs.) Mary Adeosun, said the group comprises retirees of Ogun State origin from the local, state and federal public services.
She said the network currently has over 1,865 members and aims to increase its membership to 7,000 retirees.
“As an enlightened part of society that has served the state, we decided to come together to support Senator Adeola based on the projects he has implemented across Ogun State. Only a blind person will say he has not seen or benefited in one way or another from these projects,” she said.
Adeosun explained that the body, which is self-funded through members’ pensions, envisions an Ogun State that would serve as a model for others, adding that members were convinced Adeola was the right person to become governor in 2027.
Responding, Adeola thanked the Baales and retirees for their support and endorsement, saying his relationship with the traditional institution predated the electioneering campaign.
“I will immediately provide a new bus for the Baales and also pledge to provide one for each local government area as requested in due course. I will also ensure that the issue of a uniform salary structure is addressed when I am elected governor,” he said.
The APC governorship candidate said he was particularly impressed that the retirees endorsed him based on his record without first meeting him personally.
He said, “I cannot thank you enough for using your own resources just to support me based on your enlightened view and not any pecuniary consideration.
“This is indeed a first in my political experience to see people who are my mothers and fathers as retirees come together to adopt and work for a candidate even before meeting the candidate. I will not take you for granted.
“I will look into the proposal you submitted to me and will ensure you are part of my government when elected, so that we can tap into your wealth of experience.”
Adeola was accompanied to the meetings by his wife, Mrs Temitope Adeola; his running mate, Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun; the Ogun State APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi; the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Kunle Salako; former Deputy Governor, Alhaja Salmot Badru; and former Speakers of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mrs Titi Oseni and Suraju Adekumbi.
Others at the meetings included former Ogun APC Chairman, Chief Derin Adebiyi; former Ogun PDP Chairman, Dr Sikirulai Ogundele; Senator Lekan Mustapha; Hon. Bode Mustapha; former APC governorship aspirant, Kayode Jelili Amusan; Hon. Bukky Braimoh; Hon. Segun Seriki; Chief Femi Majekodunmi; Chief Tunde Osinowo; and other APC leaders.
