Why Ogun West hasn’t produced gov in 50 years – Senate Leader

Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has attributed Ogun West Senatorial District’s failure to produce a governor since the creation of Ogun State to what he described as a combination of structural exclusion and internal political fragmentation. Ogun State, created in 1976, will mark its 50th anniversary on today. Since then, the Yewa-Awori area, […]

Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has attributed Ogun West Senatorial District’s failure to produce a governor since the creation of Ogun State to what he described as a combination of structural exclusion and internal political fragmentation.

Ogun State, created in 1976, will mark its 50th anniversary on today. Since then, the Yewa-Awori area, which constitutes Ogun West, has not produced a governor, unlike Ogun Central and Ogun East, which have taken turns occupying the state’s top office.

Bamidele made the remarks while delivering a lecture titled “The Power of Internal Coherence in Securing External Support: A Roadmap for Achieving Ogun West Gubernatorial Ambition in 2027” in Ilaro, Ogun State. The event, tagged Media Chat 2026, was organised by Ogun West Professionals (For Yayi).

He said the prolonged marginalisation of Ogun West was not accidental, noting that despite its economic importance, the district had remained politically underserved.

“Ironically, Ogun West is one of the economic powerhouses of Ogun State,” Bamidele said, citing industrial hubs in Ota and Agbara, cross-border trade with the Republic of Benin and the region’s contribution to internally generated revenue.

He argued that the failure to convert economic relevance into political power had deepened frustration and a sense of injustice among residents.

According to him, the path to securing the governorship in 2027 lies in elite coordination, consensus-building and disciplined political messaging. He said unity within the district would unlock wider political support.

Bamidele identified the senator representing the zone, Solomon Adeola (Yayi), as a key figure capable of helping Ogun West break the 50-year jinx.

 

A communiqué issued at the event endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027 and backed Adeola’s governorship ambition.

 

In a goodwill message, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said the endorsements reflected elite consensus, but stressed that mobilisation and voting would be decisive.