2027 Governorship Battle Is Between Adebutu And Yayi – Senator Gbenga Daniel Declares

Former Governor of Ogun State and current Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has declared that the 2027 gubernatorial race in the state will be a fierce contest between Hon. Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He made this assertion during a press briefing held at the Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu, in the context of renewed calls for the creation of Remo State.

Senator Daniel’s statement comes amid growing agitation from the Remo people for a separate state carved out of the current Ogun State, with Sagamu proposed as the capital. The press conference, convened by the Remo Committee on State Creation and endorsed by His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Babatunde Adewale Ajayi CFR, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remo-Land, brought together traditional rulers, elected representatives, high-ranking professionals, and other key stakeholders from across Remo.

According to the committee, Remo has consistently lost out in past state creation exercises due to internal disagreements over naming and capital location. However, this time, the Remo people are unified in their demand for a Remo State with Sagamu as the capital city, citing their distinct ethnic identity, historical background rooted in Ile-Ife, and rapid infrastructural and economic development as justification.

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They pointed to Remo’s republican structure and strong sense of identity as reasons for resisting any merger that would subsume their name or autonomy.

The press conference also clarified that although joint memoranda were once attempted with their Ijebu counterparts, past efforts collapsed due to disagreements. In 2009, the Ijebu submitted a separate memorandum proposing Ijebu State with Ijebu-Ode as capital, prompting Remo to submit its own under the name Remo-Ijebu State with Ikenne as capital. Now, the Remo people have drawn a clear line, stating categorically that they will not accept any arrangement where the name “Remo” is overshadowed.

Despite these differences, the Remo leaders emphasized continued respect and brotherhood with the Ijebu people, especially His Royal Majesty Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebu-Land. The Remo stakeholders stressed that the pursuit of statehood is not a wedge to divide but a rightful claim based on identity, equity, and development. Senator Daniel, in his remark, urged political players and stakeholders to be mindful of these realities as 2027 approaches, insisting that the next governorship election would boil down to a political face-off between Adebutu and Yayi, both of whom have deep roots and influence in the state.