2027: Ogun APC Unveils Yayi’s Running Mate

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Sunday, unveiled Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun, a chartered accountant and daughter of industrialist, Alhaji Adebola Adegunwa, as the party’s deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

Her emergence was announced by Governor Dapo Abiodun during the APC Strategic Caucus Meeting held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta.

Abiodun said the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state.

Adegunwa-Balogun will run alongside the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

Her emergence follows the zoning of the deputy governorship position to Ogun East Senatorial District and its subsequent micro-zoning to the Ijebu Central Federal Constituency.

The 51-year-old finance expert currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Finance and Administration, at Rite Foods Limited.

Speaking at the event, Abiodun commended party leaders and members for maintaining unity throughout the recently concluded primary elections, describing the process as unprecedented in the state’s political history.

According to him, the APC successfully produced candidates for elective positions without major disputes, litigation or factional crises.

“I have never witnessed anything like this in my years in politics in Ogun State. For the first time, leaders across generations came together to collectively endorse a successor, and that decision was accepted peacefully by all stakeholders,” Abiodun said.

He added that the consensus approach adopted during the governorship primary contributed to the smooth conduct of other primaries across the state.

“What we achieved reflects the true Ogun spirit. History will be kind to all of us because we have demonstrated that peaceful succession and consensus-building are possible in our politics,” he said.

The governor also praised aspirants who stepped aside for the sake of party unity, describing their sacrifices as critical to the APC’s stability and readiness for the 2027 elections.

Explaining the choice of Adegunwa-Balogun, Abiodun said the party considered equity and fairness in allocating the deputy governorship slot.

“If the government is coming from the West, we felt that for equity and fairness, the government should come from the East,” he said.

“So today, it gives me great pleasure to announce to us who our deputy governor will be by the grace of God. Today, we have amongst us Mrs. Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun and by the grace of God, Mrs. Adegunwa-Balogun will be our deputy governor.”

Also speaking, Adeola expressed confidence in Adegunwa-Balogun’s capacity to complement his administration if elected, citing her professional achievements, leadership experience and commitment to public service.

In her acceptance speech, Adegunwa-Balogun described her nomination as a call to service and pledged to deploy her experience in support of Ogun State’s development.

“I see this nomination as a call to duty and a privilege to serve. My over three decades of experience in various leadership and governance roles in the corporate world have prepared me for this moment,” she said.