Away From Public Eye, How Olumide Osoba & Senator Adeola Yayi Relate

As speculations and projections over who becomes the next governor of Ogun state rage, insiders have unveiled the true state of things between Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, the frontline gubernatorial aspirant otherwise known as Yayi, and Federal House of Representatives member, Olumide Osoba.

Osoba, the son of the highly respected elder statesman Olusegun Osoba – former governor of Ogun and one of the closest persons to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – is also listed as a possible successor to Governor Dapo Abiodun, though in hushed tones.

Those in the know say that while everyday politicians and others continue to speculate over how the gubernatorial aspirants would outwit each other to become the candidate, Senator Yayi and Federal Representative Osoba have retained close bonds.

Both are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with Senator Yayi better ranked and Olumide Osoba firmly rooted in the solid political legacy of his father.

“Though he is a politician, it is an open secret that Olumide Osoba operates in a close-knit circle. Senator Yayi is one of those in that orbit, serving as a mentor of sorts,” according to various sources.

The 47-year-old federal lawmaker is said to be so at ease in Senator Yayi’s company that he frequently shares leisure moments at the latter’s residence in Abuja.

“There is definitely no bad blood between them. They continue to enjoy a strong rapport,” sources say.

Aside from being the leader of the APC in Ogun state—and beyond—elder statesman Osoba is also a father figure to 55year-old-Senator Adeola Yayi.

With a seemingly lifelong career in politics and legislative experience as a state legislator, member of the Federal House of Representatives, and Senator in Lagos state, Adeola Yayi became an immediate sensation in Ogun state as an elected member of the Red Chamber from Ogun West. He won the election in 2023, building on his support for Governor Abiodun’s victories in 2019 and 2023 with the political structure he has been nurturing since 2015, when talks of his (Yayi”s) gubernatorial ambition first surfaced.

He has been the most-talked-about likely next governor of Ogun state as 2027 approaches.

Olumide Osoba, representing Obafemi Owode/Odeda/Abeokuta North Federal constituency in Ogun Central senatorial district, is serving his third term in office.

Although his name is being mentioned as a possible next governor of Ogun state, the likelihood—without taking away from the impact he has made—seems more linked to the formidable clout of his highly influential father, elder statesman Olusegun Osoba.