Ahead of the governorship election campaign, a group of Ogun State indigenes in the United States has thrown its weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in their home state, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (popularly known as Yayi).

In a statement issued in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, the USA Ogun State Indigenes and Professionals Forum assured the APC governorship flagbearer that it would “work with him and his team to advance meaningful diaspora engagement, attract investment, support policy ideas, and promote initiatives that will contribute to the sustainable development of Ogun State.”

According to the statement signed by the Chairperson of its Board of Trustees, Chief Adeniyi Olukayode Oridate; its President/CEO, Aare Stanford Aderibigbe Stanford; and the Secretary-General, Ogbeni Rotimi Oyekanmi, the forum said: “As Ogun State indigenes and professionals in the United States, we remain deeply committed to the peace, progress, and prosperity of our dear state. We recognise the diaspora’s critical role in advancing development through professional expertise, investment promotion, policy dialogue, education, healthcare, technology, agriculture, youth empowerment and economic partnerships.”

The Forum described the unanimous emergence of Adeola as the APC governorship candidate as an “important milestone as strong recognition of Senator Adeola’s years of public service, legislative experience, political maturity, and consistent commitment to the progress and development of Ogun State and Nigeria.”

It further said: “We trust Senator Adeola’s capacity, experience, and vision to build on the foundation already laid by the incumbent administration of Dr. (Prince) Dapo Abiodun and to continue where the present government leaves off. Ogun State has made meaningful progress, and we believe the state requires continuity, competence, accountability, innovation, and inclusive leadership to sustain and expand that progress for the benefit of all citizens.”

The Forum commended the leadership, members, and stakeholders of the APC for their support, which enabled Adeola to emerge as the party’s governorship candidate, adding: “We believe this support reflects confidence in his ability to unite the party, engage the people, and present a strong development agenda for Ogun State.”

The group also commended the incumbent Governor for his “unwavering support for Senator Adeola’s emergence. His commitment to leadership continuity, party cohesion, and the future progress of Ogun State is highly commendable.”

It called on the state citizens at home and abroad, party leaders, traditional institutions, professional bodies, youth and women’s groups, community and business leaders, and friends of the state to support a “peaceful, issue-based, and development-focused political process”.

It prayed that God would grant Adeola the “wisdom, strength, protection, and success as he continues this important journey to serve the good people of Ogun State”.

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