Ogun Guber: Insiders Explain Why Bosun Tijani Is Still in Play Despite Yayi’s Momentum

Talks linking Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, to the Ogun State governorship race are far from over, insiders insist.

This comes amid a noticeable drop in public mention of his name as a possible successor to Governor Dapo Abiodun, even as Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola continues to consolidate his commanding lead.

Popularly known as Yayi, Adeola has remained the frontrunner from the outset.

His ambition is driven by the long-standing aspiration of the Yewa people to produce the governor of Ogun State for the first time, further strengthened by his extensive grassroots empowerment programmes and quiet support across party lines.

Insiders say Tijani’s ambition is tied to efforts to influence the eventual emergence of an alternative ‘candidate’ as the next governor while preserving the existing power-sharing arrangement around the governorship.

Historically, Ogun East and Ogun Central have alternated in producing governors. With Abiodun from Ogun East and Tijani from Ogun Central, a Yayi victory would bring Ogun West into the equation—an outcome some political actors are said to be resisting.

While Adeola traces his maternal roots to Ogun Central, there are strong pushbacks within the district, with stakeholders insisting that a “core” Central candidate like Tijani should be preferred over a senator from another zone.

Despite this, Adeola remains the most popular aspirant ahead of the 2027 election. However, insiders maintain that Tijani is far from out of the race.

“He is still being mentioned in high places. He may not command the same street-level momentum as Yayi, but decision-makers see him as a serious option that could emerge through negotiations and political horse-trading,” a source said.