Ogun APC unveils Yayi’s running mate

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) officially unveiled Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election. Governor Dapo Abiodun made the announcement during the APC Strategic Caucus Meeting held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta on Sunday, following extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders. Adegunwa-Balogun, a chartered accountant and daughter of industrialist Alhaji Adebola Adegunwa, will run alongside the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, known as Yayi. The nomination aligns with the party’s zoning agreement, allocating the deputy governorship slot to Ogun East Senatorial District and further micro-zoning it to the Ijebu Central Federal Constituency. Abiodun emphasized the decision reflected equity, stating, ‘If the government is coming from the West, we felt that for equity and fairness, the government should come from the East.’ He praised the party’s unity during the primary elections, calling the process unprecedented in Ogun State’s political history. Adegunwa-Balogun, a 51-year-old finance expert, currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Finance and Administration at Rite Foods Limited. In her acceptance speech, she described her nomination as a ‘call to service,’ highlighting over three decades of leadership experience in corporate governance since 1999. She pledged to leverage her expertise to support Ogun State’s development, framing her emergence as a symbol of inclusion for women, youths, and grassroots communities. Political observers view the nomination as a strategic move to strengthen the APC’s appeal among professionals and voters in Ogun East. Adeola expressed confidence in Adegunwa-Balogun’s capacity to complement his administration, citing her professional achievements and commitment to public service. The party’s consensus-driven approach has been hailed as a model for peaceful succession in Ogun’s political landscape.