A Special Assistant to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Solomon Sunday Olarewaju, has said the reported omission of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu and his running mate from the 2027 election list could benefit Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
Olarewaju said the development could create difficulties for the PDP while giving the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) more room to strengthen its campaign ahead of the February 2027 governorship election.
He made the observation in an opinion article titled “Adebutu’s Setback, Yayi’s Advantage: Fortune Changes the Ogun Political Equation.”
Olarewaju, who is also an ECOWAS Youth Ambassador and convener of the OSA Movement, said that the uncertainty over Adebutu’s electoral status could affect the confidence of his supporters and disrupt the party’s campaign plans.
He argued that the PDP might have to spend time and resources resolving questions about its candidate’s status instead of focusing fully on winning voters’ support.
“For any serious contender, uncertainty over ballot status is no minor inconvenience,” Olarewaju said.
However, he warned against treating the reported omission as a final decision on Adebutu’s eligibility. He noted that the PDP had challenged the circumstances surrounding the development and that further legal or administrative action could change the situation.
Adebutu contested the 2023 Ogun governorship election. According to Olarewaju, the uncertainty surrounding his current electoral status could create an additional challenge for the PDP as it prepares for the next election.
In contrast, Olarewaju said Yayi could benefit from the support he has reportedly received from influential APC members and his years of political engagement across the state.
He also pointed to the growing demand for Ogun West Senatorial District to produce the next governor. He said the aspiration could influence discussions around Yayi’s candidacy.
Olarewaju added that the reported support of Governor Abiodun and other senior APC figures could help the party maintain focus as it prepares for the election.
Despite these advantages, he said the APC could not rely only on the difficulties facing its main opposition.
He urged the party to present clear plans for addressing the needs of residents, including better roads, more jobs, improved education and healthcare, and increased investment.
He also called on the APC to pay attention to traders, farmers, young people, workers and business owners across Ogun State.
“Political fortune can create an opening, but disciplined organisation and a persuasive programme make the most of it,” he said.
Olarewaju said the reported omission could improve the APC’s position in the race but stressed that the election must be lawful, credible and competitive.
He added that both parties would need strong campaigns and effective engagement with voters to achieve their political goals.
The governor’s aide also referred to reported endorsements of Yayi by former Ogun governors Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, alongside Abiodun.
He said the backing of the three former governors could matter because of their political experience and networks across Ogun State’s three senatorial districts.
Olarewaju described the combination of these endorsements, APC support and calls for Ogun West to produce the next governor as important factors in the 2027 contest.
In his opinion article, he contrasted the uncertainty facing Adebutu with the political support surrounding Yayi. He maintained, however, that the situation could still change.
“For now, the contrast is unmistakable. Adebutu is facing a serious electoral complication whose outcome remains unsettled. Yayi, meanwhile, is moving through a period of uncommon political alignment and opportunity. One camp must work to clear an obstacle; the other can devote its energy to building on a strong position.
“In the unfolding Ogun governorship contest, fortune has indeed favoured the prepared. Yayi did not create every circumstance now working to his advantage, but he has positioned himself to benefit from them. If the present political equation holds, the story of the 2027 race may well be remembered as the moment an opposition setback coincided with the APC’s most favourable opening in years,” Olarewaju said.
He expressed optimism that the APC could use the current political situation to strengthen its campaign, while noting that the final outcome would depend on how the parties organise and convince voters ahead of the election.
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