As 2027 approaches, can Senator Solomon Adeola (Omo West) navigate the complex political waters of Ogun State, or will resistance drown his ambition?
Omo West in Ogun political waters is a phrase that captures the ambition and controversy surrounding Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as he sets his sights on the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.
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Known in political circles as Yayi, and widely referred to as Omo West, the senator has long been a towering figure in Lagos politics.
However, his bold leap into Ogun’s complex and often regionalised political terrain is stirring a storm of debates.
Despite his roots in the state, many perceive Omo West’s career as largely crafted within the structured and favourable ecosystem provided by the Lagos political machinery.
From 2003 to 2011, he represented Alimosho Constituency II in the Lagos State House of Assembly, where he chaired both the Finance Committee and the Joint Appropriations Committee.
He was praised for initiating reforms that boosted the state’s internally generated revenue from ₦5 billion to well over ₦20 billion monthly.
Between 2011 and 2015, he moved to the House of Representatives, where he chaired the Public Accounts Committee and oversaw the repeal of the 1956 Audit Act, replacing it with the more modern 2014 Audit Act.
From 2015 until 2023, he served as senator for Lagos West, vice-chairing the Senate Communications Committee.
Currently, he chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations in the 10th Assembly representing Ogun West, a role that places him at the helm of Nigeria’s financial oversight, managing budget reviews and national fiscal allocations.
Given this impressive resume, one might wonder why he would abandon the comfort and security of Lagos politics for the uncertainty of Ogun State.
Perhaps he believes Ogun voters are politically impressionable, or that his Lagos smartness would outclass the local dynamics.
But this miscalculation could prove costly, as Ogun politics is steeped in regional loyalty and identity.
Unlike Lagos, where a streamlined party structure often paves the way for smooth political progression, Ogun’s power blocs are more fragmented and deeply rooted in cultural pride.
Unlike Rauf Aregbesola, who successfully made the transition from Lagos politics to becoming governor of Osun State with the backing of a political godfather, Omo West seems to be navigating Ogun’s waters largely alone. And recent events suggest the tides may not be in his favour.
One of the earliest public blows to his ambition came during the 2025 Ojude Oba Festival.
He was initially named as the chairman of the prestigious cultural celebration in Ijebu Ode, a move that his camp viewed as a strategic step toward regional acceptance.
His loyalists went to town with slogans like “Ijebu for Yayi” and “Ogun East ti settle,” believing that his position as chairman meant the Ijebu had embraced him.
However, on the day of the festival, he was conspicuously absent. It later emerged that he had been dropped; reportedly via a mere phone call.
The move sent a strong message: cultural legitimacy in Ogun cannot be politically outsourced.
The same narrative seemed to play out during the Lisabi Day celebrations in Abeokuta, where Yayi allegedly received another cold reception.
Both incidents reveal an undercurrent of regional rejection that may haunt his 2027 dreams.
Still, his political journey cannot be dismissed.
His influence at the national level is undeniable, and his control over budgetary power in the Senate gives him access to significant financial resources.
In Nigeria, money and influence are often critical ingredients in winning elections. But even with those tools, one question remains: does he have the boldness; not just to run, but to conquer the hearts of the people?
“Politics in Ogun isn’t just about resume; it’s about roots,” said a local political strategist in Ijebu Ode.
“Yayi may have earned his stripes in Lagos, but Ogun demands more than stripes; it demands connection.”
As 2027 draws closer, what is becoming increasingly clear is that the race for Oke Mosan is not just about experience or funding.
It’s a test of authenticity, cultural acceptance, and strategic endurance.
Senator Solomon Adeola, Omo West, may be fully prepared to prosecute an election with his war chest and national clout.
Also read: Senator Yayi criticises Governor Abiodun over Ogun LG elections
But unless he can swim confidently in the deep, layered waters of Ogun political identity, his journey may end before it truly begins.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
