Africa-Press – Nigeria. Nigerian Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has blamed rivalry among political godfathers, factional disputes and fragmented coordination among elites for the weakening bargaining power in Ogun West.
Bamidele stated that in addition to its electoral losses, the senatorial district has also suffered from institutional marginalization in appointment, slower infrastructural and political dividend and an increasing sense of alienation among professionals and young people.
He spoke at a media chat themed, “The Power of Internal Coherence in Securing External Support: Roadmap For Achieving Ogun West Governorship Ambition in 2027”,
organized by Ogun West Professionals for YAYI on Sunday in Ilaro.
Delivering his lecture, the lawmaker who represents Ekiti Central in the National Assembly warned that politicians, traditional rulers, civil society actors among others must prioritize collective regional interest over personal ambition
According to him, political power is rarely given to divided regions but negotiated by organized , united and strategic stakeholders.
He said, “Ogun West’s repeated failure to secure the governorship has been widely linked to polarization among Yewa, Awori, and allied sub-groups, elite rivalries, and competing aspirant camps.
“If Ogun West elites fail to act: The zone may remain politically sidelined for another decade, external blocs will continue to dictate outcomes, youth political frustration may escalate and a historic opportunity may once again be lost.”
The senate leader asserted that no amount of resources can compensate for internal disunity, stressing that if unity is achieved, external support will follow naturally.
Bamidele called for coordination, professional strategic planning and consensus-building, saying “You must speak with one political language, one west slogan.”
He, however, identified the Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola (YAYI) as one politician who embodies qualities required for the realization of the senatorial district’s long desire to produce a governor.
In his remarks, Minister of State For Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, emphasized the importance of unity and the need for them to win everyone over with love rather than turning against those who disagree with them.
Salako called for the adoption of a policy that does not leave anyone behind, expressing confidence that if adopted, the Yewa’s governorship ambition would be realized in 2027.
Meanwhile, the Ogun West professionals in a motion moved by Aina Kusoro and seconded by Kunle Adebiyi, unanimously endorsed President Bola Tinubu for second term and Yayi as their preferred candidate for governorship election in the state.
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