Prof. Yemi Oke: “Tinubu-Yayi Mandate Holds Key To Development Of Egbaland”

A senior legal practitioner and Egba High Chief, Prof. Yemi Oke, SAN, has declared that the political alignment between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola “Yayi” presents the best opportunity for massive development in Egbaland and Ogun Central Senatorial District.

In a statement titled _“THE PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU-SENATOR ADEOLA ‘YAYI’ MANDATE: IMPLICATIONS FOR EGBALAND OF OGUN CENTRAL, NIGERIA”_ released on July 9, 2026, Prof. Oke said the alignment is strategic for the zone to maximize federal presence and infrastructure.

Prof. Oke, the Bada-Baamofin of Egbaland and Otun Ibarapa-Egba, recounted a private meeting with President Tinubu on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

He said the meeting, which he described as “father-son,” reinforced the need for Egbaland to align with the President’s political direction ahead of the next governorship contest in Ogun State.

Prof. Oke also recalled his role since 2022 as pioneer of the “BAT Academic and Professionals Group,” a think-tank that mobilized intellectual and professional support for Tinubu ahead of the 2023 APC primaries and general election. The group later became the “P-BAT Academics and Professionals Group.”

The University of Lagos professor argued that Egbaland suffered neglect under the outgoing state administration despite increased federal allocations to states following President Tinubu’s economic reforms.

He noted that most federal projects visible in Ogun Central were facilitated by Senator Yayi, who currently represents Ogun West and chairs the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

“Senator YAYI was able to bridge the gap to a reasonable extent. His intervention was felt significantly in Ogun West, Ogun Central and Ogun East senatorial districts despite representing only Ogun West in the Senate,” Prof. Oke stated.

On questions about Senator Yayi’s origin, Prof. Oke emphasized that Yayi is “an Egba son from an Egba mother,” and dismissed what he called “cheap politics of ascribing a different State of origin”.

“It is almost impossible, rather unthinkable to consider any other Governorship candidate in Egbaland having just suffered huge neglect in the hands of the out-going administration,” he added. “Why should Egba people rely on an opposition candidate to access Federal attention or interventions when we could easily have done better through YAYI who is Tinubu’s political son?”

Prof. Oke said initial skepticism about supporting Yayi in Ogun Central faded after witnessing his interventions in the zone.

“I must confess that we were initially skeptical of supporting YAYI in Ogun Central until we realized that YAYI has been undertaking massive development projects in Egbaland despite not being Ogun Central Senator! The list of YAYI’s intervention is endless,” he said.

He noted recent visits by Yayi to key stakeholders, including former Governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and traditional leaders in Egbaland, all of whom he said have publicly endorsed the Senator.

Outlining expectations, Prof. Oke said Egbaland is backing Yayi for:
– *Completion of all abandoned road projects* in Egbaland, especially those started under the Amosun administration
– *A Circular Road for Abeokuta* to reflect its status as a state capital
– *Dualisation of the Abeokuta-Asero-Obantoko-Odeda-Ibadan Federal Road* in partnership with the Tinubu administration
– *Strategic political appointments* for Egba sons and daughters

“Egba people desire a Governor who is willing and ready to partner with us to develop our land,” he said. “Egbaland can’t afford to be in opposition to the Federal Government of Nigeria!”

Prof. Oke concluded that the message from his meeting with President Tinubu was clear: “YAYI is our next Governor in Ogun State”.

He said the goal is to push Yayi’s approval rating in Ogun Central above 80% and to mobilize massively for him in 2027.

“Egba are not fools. We are as educated and civilized enough to know what we want. As for Governorship, let it be said, written and known this day that, SENATOR ADEOLA OLAMILEKAN (YAYI) has Egba’s maximum support.”

He ended his submission with the chant: “IYALOLOMO! IYALOLOMO! IYALOLOMO!!!”