Yayi pledges continuity, completion of Abiodun’s viable projects

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Solomon Adeola, has pledged to retain and complete viable projects and policies initiated by Governor Dapo Abiodun if elected in 2027.

Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, said his administration would pursue continuity rather than discard projects because they were initiated by a predecessor, arguing that infrastructure and public investments should be assessed by their value to residents.

The Ogun West senator made the position while outlining his development agenda for the state on Tuesday, according to details of his programme and remarks on his proposed administration.

“Where there are programmes that are working, we will continue them.

Where there are areas that need improvement, we will improve them. Where there are things that need to change, we will change them,” Adeola said.

He added, “The foundation has already been laid in the area of economic development. My responsibility will be to consolidate those achievements, ensure that ongoing projects are completed and maximise the benefits for the people.”

He said Ogun could derive greater economic benefits from existing and proposed investments if government infrastructure and policies were deliberately integrated around them.

“If you put all these projects together and properly harness them, you can begin to imagine what the state can become in the next few years. That is why I believe strongly in continuity.

“Government should not be about abandoning everything that came before simply because there is a change in administration,” he said.

Adeola identified industrial investments, oil exploration, agriculture, transportation infrastructure, tourism and waterways as areas that could expand Ogun’s economic base if properly developed.

He said infrastructure should also be viewed beyond the construction of roads, describing it as a tool for opening up communities, shortening travel times, attracting businesses and creating new economic corridors.

“We need to begin thinking of infrastructure as an economic tool, not simply as road construction,” he said.

The senator said rural connectivity would be one of his priorities, particularly because residents were less concerned about whether a road belonged to the Federal Government or the state than about whether it was usable.

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“A large proportion of our roads are federal roads, while the state government is responsible for another portion. This creates a challenge because the people do not necessarily distinguish between federal and state roads.

“What they know is that they need good roads to move their goods, go to work and access their communities,” he said.

Yayi said his proposed approach would therefore be to develop an integrated transportation network combining roads with waterways and other forms of transport.

“So, as a government, we have to approach infrastructure from the perspective of the people. I want to see an integrated transportation system where people can move conveniently across the state, not only by road, but also by water and other forms of transport. This is the kind of integrated transport system we need,” he said.

He also promised greater attention to rural and border communities, particularly areas adjoining Lagos, arguing that improved roads, housing, security and commercial infrastructure could encourage investment and create new economic centres.

On industrialisation, Adeola said Ogun would need to build an ecosystem around major investments rather than focus solely on attracting factories.

“If a company establishes a major operation in our state, we should have workers living here, businesses supplying that company, schools and housing supporting the workforce, and other companies establishing themselves around that investment,” he said.

He linked the provision of affordable housing to the state’s industrial ambitions, saying workers and investors should be able to live in Ogun rather than rely heavily on neighbouring urban centres.

Adeola also identified tourism and the blue economy as areas of potential growth, saying the state’s waterways, coastline and cultural attractions could be developed into revenue-generating and job-creating assets.

He pledged to support agricultural development and regulate mineral exploitation to ensure that host communities and residents benefit from the state’s natural resources.

The APC candidate said his approach would therefore combine continuity with changes where existing policies or projects required improvement.

“Our goal is not simply to inherit a government. Our goal is to build on what has been achieved and take the state to the next level,” he said.

Yayi’s Itesiwaju agenda contains nine broad areas covering infrastructure, tourism and culture, economic empowerment, security and welfare, inclusive growth, women and youth development, agriculture, job creation and industrialisation, and urbanisation and transparency.