By Edunrght Interns
The nine transport unions in Ogun State have endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement was announced during a rally organised by the Transport Unions Alliance for Yayi at the Ake Palace Pavilion in Abeokuta.
Edunright News gathered that the unions based their decision on Adeola’s experience, antecedents and perceived capacity to lead the state.
The unions are the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Ogun State Park Management Services Limited (OGSPAM), Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), Articulated Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (AMORAN), Riders and Owners of Motorcycle Organisation (ROMO), Tricycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (TORAN), Three Wheelers Operators and Riders Association (TWORA), and Riders and Owners of Tricycle Organisation (ROTO).
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the planning committee and State Secretary of RTEAN, Tiwalade Akingbade, described the endorsement as a significant development in the history of the unions.
Akingbade said the unions had never before come together to openly endorse a governorship candidate.
“This is historical because this is the first time we are coming out to endorse a governorship candidate,” he said.
He explained that the decision was not influenced by ethnic or sectional interests, but by the unions’ assessment of Adeola’s capacity and previous records.
“We are doing this because you are capable and we have seen the antecedent,” Akingbade said.
According to him, the theme of the rally, “Consolidation of Proven Capacity and Competence,” reflected the unions’ confidence in the APC candidate.
“We know you are competent. We know you are capable. We know you can do it,” he said.
Akingbade further disclosed that the chairmen of the nine transport unions had signed the endorsement document presented to Adeola.
“On behalf of all the transport unions in the state, we are endorsing you today. And all the nine transport union chairmen in the state have appended their signatures,” he said.
Reacting to the endorsement, Adeola expressed appreciation to the transport unions and promised to sustain the development of Ogun State if elected governor in 2027.
He said his administration would focus on taking the state to a higher level of development while building on the achievements of the present administration.
“I can tell you that the people of Ogun State are about to witness the biggest development in the history of this state,” Adeola said.
The APC candidate also warned against handing the state over to what he described as inexperienced leaders, insisting that Ogun deserved capable leadership.
“We will continue to grow higher and higher and higher and higher. We can never relinquish this state to mediocre, to power grabbers, to people who only want to satisfy their personal gain. Ogun State deserves better,” he said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who attended the rally, described the unions’ decision as unprecedented, saying their collective endorsement demonstrated unity within the transport sector.
“Today, we are standing here hand in hand in unity. We are all here. All the transport unions collectively and individually are here,” Abiodun said.
Edunright News reports that the governor linked the development to the need for stability and continuity in Ogun State, saying both were important to the state’s socio-economic growth.
“Something unprecedented in the 50-year history of this beloved state. Stability,” he said.
Abiodun added that continuity in governance would strengthen socio-economic development and investor confidence in the state.
“This speaks to continuity. This speaks to socio-economic development. This speaks to investor confidence because investors are looking at Ogun State and they are saying nothing will change,” he said.
The governor also urged transport operators to avoid arbitrary increases in fares, saying his administration had invested in roads and other infrastructure to improve transportation across the state.
He said more than 1,700 kilometres of roads had been constructed or reconstructed across Ogun State, alongside the implementation of a multimodal transport master plan.
“For you transport unions, we have reconstructed or constructed over 1,700 kilometres of roads across the length and breadth of this state,” Abiodun said.
He added that the projects had helped create an enabling environment for the transport sector to grow.
The National President of ACOMORAN, Alhaji Shamsudeen Apelogun, said the unions’ decision to participate actively in the political process reflected their importance to the state.
Apelogun said transport operators had considerable numerical and organisational strength and could influence political outcomes through their votes.
Edunright News learnt that the ACOMORAN president also called for more attention to road infrastructure and the wider transport sector, noting that an efficient transportation system would support economic activities across Ogun State.
He, however, advised transport unions not to allow themselves to be used to create political divisions.
Apelogun urged members to study the records, competence and antecedents of political candidates before deciding whom to support.transportation system would support economic activities across Ogun State.
He, however, advised transport unions not to allow themselves to be used to create political divisions.
Apelogun further urged members to study the records, competence and antecedents of political candidates before deciding whom to support.