Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun has been unveiled as APC deputy governorship candidate in Ogun, joining Senator Solomon Adeola for 2027

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Sunday unveiled Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun as the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 election, pairing the chartered accountant with APC governorship candidate Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.

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Abiodun announced the nomination during the APC Strategic Caucus Meeting held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta, saying the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state.

Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun, a finance professional and daughter of industrialist Adebola Adegunwa, emerged after the deputy governorship position was zoned to Ogun East Senatorial District and subsequently micro-zoned to the Ijebu Central Federal Constituency.

The 51-year-old currently serves as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Finance and Administration, at Rite Foods Limited, bringing more than three decades of corporate leadership experience to the APC ticket.

Political observers view the nomination as a strategic move that could strengthen the party’s appeal among professionals, women and voters in Ogun East ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking at the meeting, Abiodun praised party leaders and members for maintaining unity throughout the recently concluded primary elections, describing the process as unprecedented in the state’s political history.

According to the governor, the APC successfully produced candidates for elective positions without major disputes, litigation or factional crises.

“I have never witnessed anything like this in my years in politics in Ogun State. For the first time, leaders across generations came together to collectively endorse a successor, and that decision was accepted peacefully by all stakeholders,” Abiodun said.

The governor noted that the consensus approach adopted during the governorship primary helped ensure the smooth conduct of other primaries across the state, describing the outcome as a powerful demonstration of unity within the party.

Abiodun also commended aspirants who stepped aside in the interest of party cohesion, saying their sacrifices contributed significantly to the APC’s stability and preparedness for the next electoral cycle.

Explaining the choice of Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun, the governor said considerations of equity and fairness influenced the allocation of the deputy governorship slot.

“If the government is coming from the West, we felt that for equity and fairness, the government should come from the East,” Abiodun said before formally presenting the nominee to party stakeholders.

In his remarks, Adeola expressed confidence in her ability to complement his administration if elected, citing her professional accomplishments, leadership credentials and commitment to public service.

Accepting the nomination, Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun described her emergence as a call to service and pledged to deploy her experience to advance Ogun State’s development agenda.

“I see this nomination as a call to duty and a privilege to serve. My over three decades of experience in various leadership and governance roles in the corporate world have prepared me for this moment,” she said.

She added that her exposure to governance dates back to 1999, giving her valuable insight into public administration, service delivery and the responsibilities of leadership.

Highlighting a key secondary theme of her nomination, Adegunwa-Balogun said her emergence symbolised greater inclusion of women, youths and grassroots communities in governance.

“This nomination is not about me. It is about our shared responsibility. It is about the inclusion of women, youths and all citizens in shaping the future of Ogun State,” she said.

She pledged to serve with integrity, transparency and accountability while working closely with Adeola to bridge the gap between government and local communities.

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“Our goal is simple: a state where governance responds to the needs of its people, where development leaves no one behind, and where prosperity is shared by all,” she added.