Chief Mufutau Olabimtan Urges Ogun West Residents, Others to Back Senator Adeola Yayi’s Governorship Bid, Highlights Yewa Frontier Group’s Investments

ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Asoju Olu of Ilaro-Yewa, Chief Mufutau Olabimtan, has appealed to residents and indigenes of Ogun West to support Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, in his bid to become Governor of Ogun State in the 2027 election.

Olabimtan made the appeal on Friday, September 18, 2026, when he played host to members of the League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP) at his office in Ilaro-Yewa.

He said the people of Yewa-Awori should regard the 2027 governorship election as an opportunity to pursue the long-standing aspiration of having a governor emerge from Ogun West, which, he noted, has not produced a governor since the creation of Ogun State.

Senator Adeola currently represents Ogun West in the Senate and is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election. The APC initially adopted him as its consensus candidate in April and subsequently affirmed him through its May 21, 2026 governorship primary.

According to Olabimtan, the people of Yewa-Awori should unite behind the aspiration and demonstrate their support through the ballot.

He also called on residents of Ogun East and Ogun Central to reciprocate what he described as the support extended to them by people of Ogun West in previous political elections.

While expressing confidence in Senator Adeola’s political experience and statewide visibility, Olabimtan described him as a prominent political figure from Yewaland and argued that his emergence had created an opportunity for the people of the senatorial district to pursue their long-standing political aspiration.

Olabimtan also dismissed renewed questions about Senator Adeola’s ancestry and indigeneship.

He argued that the controversy was an old political issue that had resurfaced periodically around prominent Ogun political figures.

“Honestly, I don’t know why some people will just believe they can insult the intelligence of the people of Ogun State by coming up with the narrative that Yayi is not from Yewa”, he said.

He maintained that Adeola is regarded as a bona fide indigene of Ogun West and noted that the senator currently represents the district at the National Assembly.

Olabimtan further argued that political opponents should concentrate on policies and programmes rather than identity-related arguments.

“Any opposition that is worth its salt should come out with policies that will outshine existing infrastructural development and empowerment programmes Yayi has facilitated across Ogun State”, he said.

Olabimtan added that, although he was not a politician, he believed political debates should focus more on governance, development and the welfare of citizens.

The Asoju Olu of Ilaro-Yewa also commended past and present political leaders and APC stakeholders who supported the emergence of Senator Adeola as the party’s candidate.

Recalled the APC’s adoption of Senator Adeola was publicly presented by Governor Dapo Abiodun as part of an effort to address the longstanding absence of an Ogun West governor since the state’s creation.

The Ogun State APC subsequently reaffirmed Senator Adeola as its governorship candidate in August following competing claims over the party’s ticket.

Olabimtan also appealed to Ogun West residents to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for another term, reflecting his stated political position.

Responding to questions about the emergence of Yewa Frontier FM, Olabimtan said the radio station was not established as a vehicle for political ambition but as part of the broader media expansion and rebranding strategy of Afisola Nigeria Limited.

According to him, the company recognised radio broadcasting as an effective medium for reaching communities and providing information, education and entertainment.

“Yewa Frontier Radio is a commercial and civic platform, not a political springboard”, he said.

He explained that the station was privately owned and operated independently of government and political-party control.

Olabimtan, however, said the station’s programming reflected a broader Yewa development agenda centred on political inclusion, development and recognition for the zone.

He said the station would remain open to credible political aspirants from different parties who were prepared to engage constructively with citizens.

“Yewa Frontier Radio positions itself as a platform for accurate information, cultural expression and balanced political discourse, rather than division or propaganda”, he said.

He added that, as the state moves toward the 2027 electoral cycle, the station would focus on citizen empowerment, dialogue and responsible leadership.

Olabimtan also spoke extensively about his involvement in community development and private-sector investment in Ilaro-Yewa.

He recalled his tenure as Chairman of the Ilaro Development Council, describing the role as an opportunity to coordinate initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, strengthening security and stimulating economic activities in the town.

He also highlighted the development of Yewa Frontier Hotel, which he described as one of the major private investments in Ilaro-Yewa.

According to him, the investment was motivated partly by a perceived shortage of modern hospitality facilities capable of accommodating professionals, investors, expatriates and returning indigenes.

He disclosed that discussions with His Majesty Oba (Dr.) Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland before the monarch’s ascension around 2011–2012 contributed to conversations about translating development ideas into concrete projects.

Olabimtan said his elder brother, Mr. Afisu Olabimtan, a United States-based entrepreneur and founder of Yewa Frontier Hotel, subsequently appointed him as his representative on the project.

He explained that the name Yewa Frontier Hotel was chosen to give the facility a regional identity rather than restricting it to Ilaro.

The concept, he said, was partly inspired by memories of the former Frontier Hotel in Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

According to him, the hotel was designed for a total of 150 rooms to be developed in two phases.

The first phase, comprising 75 rooms, was completed in December 2016, while the second phase remains part of the long-term expansion plan.

He said the hotel has since served guests associated with the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, corporate organisations, individual travellers and other visitors to the Yewa axis.

Beyond its commercial purpose, Olabimtan described the hotel as a development asset that has contributed to employment, visitor traffic and economic activities in Ilaro-Yewa.

Olabimtan also highlighted the Yewa Frontier Amusement Park, describing it as an addition to the hospitality and leisure infrastructure of Ilaro-Yewa.

He said the facility was conceived to provide a safe and organised recreational environment for children, youths and families.

According to him, the project followed an assessment of the need for structured recreational facilities in the area.

“As the youthful population in Yewa continues to grow, access to safe and organised leisure facilities has remained limited”, he said.

Olabimtan explained that the amusement park combines outdoor attractions with indoor games designed to accommodate different age groups.

He added that the park operates in synergy with the hotel, with hotel guests receiving discounted access.

Olabimtan disclosed that an initial festive promotion offered discounts to children under 12, youths and hotel guests during the Christmas, New Year and school-holiday period.

He said the facility was expected to contribute to the development of Ilaro-Yewa as a leisure and tourism destination.

Earlier, the Convener and National President of LOYAMP, Elhadj (Otunba) Abu-Satar Idowu Hamed, expressed appreciation to Olabimtan for receiving the delegation.

Hamed commended what he described as Olabimtan’s contribution to the development of Ilaro-Yewa and Ogun State.

He said LOYAMP comprised veteran journalists, media professionals, publishers and Editors-in-Chief who have come together to promote journalism, regional development, equity, justice and good governance.

According to him, the association was established to strengthen grassroots journalism and address what its members regard as gaps in media representation across Ogun West.

Hamed stressed that LOYAMP was an independent professional association and not an organ or affiliate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

He said the association’s activities were founded on the constitutional right to freedom of association.

LOYAMP has previously publicly stated its support for Adeola’s governorship aspiration and described the emergence of an Ogun West governor as part of its longstanding Yewa Agenda. That position has also been reported by the Nigerian press.

Hamed recalled that members of the association had, over the years, engaged political and traditional leaders in discussions concerning the Yewa Agenda.

He cited a 2014 visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and consultations with former Ogun State Governor and Senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

He said such engagements were intended to sustain dialogue around development, political inclusion and the aspirations of Ogun West.

Hamed maintained that LOYAMP’s position was based on what the association described as the developmental needs and political aspirations of the Yewa-Awori people.

He also pointed to Adeola’s record as a legislator, noting that the senator had served previously in the House of Representatives and Senate before returning to his root in Ogun West.

Adeola’s public biography confirms that he served in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015, represented Lagos West in the Senate from 2015 to 2023, and has represented Ogun West since 2023.

Hamed said LOYAMP’s support for Adeola was therefore part of its broader political advocacy for an Ogun West governor.

The meeting ended with discussions on media development, regional investment, political participation and the role of community-focused journalism in shaping public discourse ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.