Adeola visits Sarafa Ishola, seeks unity ahead of Ogun 2027 election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has intensified stakeholder consultations with a visit to former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Ishola, as both leaders emphasised unity and reconciliation ahead of the 2027 election.

During the visit, Senator Adeola commended Ishola for his longstanding contributions to the development of Ogun State and Nigeria, urging him to support efforts aimed at strengthening party cohesion.

He said the ongoing political process should not produce winners and losers but should instead promote collective responsibility and unity within the party.

The APC candidate described his governorship ambition as a shared project, assuring the former envoy of his readiness to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to advance the state’s development agenda.

He stressed that unity, inclusion and mutual respect remain critical to achieving sustainable progress.

Other party leaders who spoke at the meeting, including Senator Lekan Mustapha, Alhaja Salmot Badru, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka and Hon. Biodun Akinlade, echoed similar sentiments, calling on party members to close ranks and work together in the interest of Ogun State.

In his response, Ambassador Ishola welcomed the delegation and congratulated Adeola on his emergence as the consensus candidate, noting that politics should not be allowed to breed division or bitterness.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the Yewa Agenda and recalled his role as Director-General of the 2011 governorship campaign of the late General Tunji Olurin, adding that he remains supportive of the broader aspirations of Ogun West.

Ishola also reflected on his political journey and longstanding advocacy for stable political transitions and continuity in governance. He disclosed that he had previously engaged elder statesmen, including Chief Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, on the need to avoid disruptive transitions that could hinder development.

While acknowledging that he was not part of the recent APC stakeholders’ meeting, Ishola described Adeola’s visit as a positive step toward reconciliation and inclusion.

He further revealed that he had developed a 64-page socio-economic blueprint for Ogun State and expressed willingness to share it with the APC candidate for possible integration into his policy plans.

The former envoy also emphasised the need to carry along his support base in the evolving political process to ensure inclusiveness.

A highlight of the visit was the presentation of documents detailing Ishola’s profile and his socio-economic and political contributions over the years.

In their separate remarks, Baba Ajibola and Chief Mrs. Apampa commended Ishola for his statesmanship and warm reception, while urging continued collaboration for the overall development of Ogun State.