Egbaland Chief Bode Mustapha endorses Senator Solomon Yayi for 2027 Ogun governorship
The Osi of Egbaland, Chief Bode Mustapha, has publicly endorsed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation and Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as his preferred candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.
Chief Mustapha made the declaration during an interview on Splash FM’s Oju Abẹ programme in Abeokuta, hosted by Adetunji Ayomide (Quality). He described Senator Yayi as “a performer, bridge-builder, and unifier across Ogun State.”
According to the Egba chief, his decision was based on fairness and performance rather than sentiment. He cited Yayi’s infrastructural projects, including road construction and installation of solar-powered streetlights, as examples of tangible development that has improved lives across the state.
“Good deeds should not be destroyed by sentiment. We must be fair and judge by performance. Others can also perform, but what I have seen is different from what I heard. I will support the man who has touched every senatorial district in Ogun State. I have one vote, and I will give it to Yayi,” he said.
Speaking on the clamour for a power shift to Ogun West, Mustapha argued that Yayi’s parentage a Yewa father and Egba mother makes him a unifying figure. “Has Yewa/Awori ever produced a governor? No. God has given them a capable son. We must show compassion and support them,” he said.
He dismissed speculations questioning the senator’s origin as political propaganda, recalling his own experience when his lineage was once questioned before he became Balogun Ilu Ibadan of Gbagura.
“This is politics, what we call jùlẹ òṣèlú or ìbọn òṣèlú,” he remarked, clarifying that his support for Yayi was not motivated by money or personal ties. “I don’t need to talk to him personally. His works in the communities are enough communication. I did not collect any money from Yayi.”
Chief Mustapha also emphasized that his position was personal and not that of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo. “I am speaking as the Osi of Egba. The Alake is the father of all; no one should drag him into politics,” he stated.
On the 2027 elections, the Egba leader expressed confidence that Yayi would not seek re-election to the Senate but would instead contest for governor. “Yayi will not contest for Senate again in 2027. He will contest for governor, and my vote is for him,” he declared.
He urged other Ogun senators to sustain their good work, adding in Yoruba, “ki wọ́n má ṣe bí wọ́n ṣe ń ṣe lọ,” meaning “let them continue the good work.”
Chief Mustapha concluded the interview with a firm endorsement: “Yayi is a performer, a bridge-builder, and a unifier across Ogun State. That is why I stand by him.
