Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Ogun State in the 2027 election, has pledged to fully comply with the Freedom of Information Act if elected governor. He made this promise during a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at Iwe Iroyin Press Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta. Adeola aims to treat the press as a partner in governance, not an inconvenience to be managed.
Adeola's administration plans to hold regular, substantive press briefings rather than choreographed photo opportunities. He also intends to prioritize the welfare and safety of working journalists in the state. According to Adeola, a government that fears scrutiny has already indicated what it intends to hide, but his administration will be transparent. He considers journalists as custodians of public memory who will hold him accountable for his actions.
The APC governorship candidate unveiled nine cardinal pillars for his administration, including Infrastructure, Tourism and Creative Arts, Education, Security, Health, Youth empowerment, Agricultural Transformation, Industrialization, and Urban Renewal. One of the key infrastructure projects is the Ogun Bus Mass Transit, commuter rail link with Lagos, and OgunRide mobility platform. Adeola described his blueprint as a covenant, not mere promises, and urged journalists to hold him accountable for every line of his manifesto.
Adeola disclosed that commercial oil drilling commenced at Eba Island in Ogun Waterside in January 2026, putting Ogun on the path to becoming an oil-producing state entitled to 13% derivation. Exploration is also advancing at Tongeji Island in Ipokia, both anchoring a 200km Coastal Energy Corridor to be serviced by Olokola Deep Seaport. This development is expected to boost the state's economy and create new opportunities for its residents.
On governance, Adeola listed six catalysts that will propel his administration, including Fiscal Discipline with a Single Window Revenue System targeting 40% IGR uplift, Justice Sector Reform, Legislation Reform, Civil Service Reform, Assets Optimization, and Local Government Autonomy in line with the 2024 Supreme Court ruling. He emphasized the importance of these reforms in ensuring effective governance and service delivery.
Adeola expressed gratitude to journalists in the state for their role in his emergence as Ogun West Senator in 2023 and as APC governorship flag bearer for 2027. He noted that he had always supported NUJ programmes and empowerment of journalists, even before his visit to Iwe Iroyin, which he had looked forward to for two decades. Adeola urged the press to continue to hold him accountable and partner with him in his quest for good governance.
The visit and promises by Adeola have been seen as a positive step towards fostering a better relationship between the government and the media in Ogun State. His commitment to transparency and accountability is expected to promote a more enabling environment for journalists to carry out their duties effectively.
Key points
- Adeola promises to fully comply with the Freedom of Information Act if elected governor.
- He plans to treat journalists as partners in governance, not an inconvenience to be managed.
- Adeola's administration will prioritize the welfare and safety of working journalists in the state.
