Growing support is rallying around Finance Minister Wale Edun as Ogun Central’s leading candidate for the 2027 governorship, positioning him against Yewa’s long-standing quest
2027 Governorship: Report Suggests Wale Edun Gains Momentum as Ogun Central’s Preferred Candidate
Emerging political currents suggest that Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, is fast becoming Ogun Central’s rallying point in the race for the 2027 governorship.
Insiders say Edun’s growing profile and close ties with President Bola Tinubu have positioned him as the “poster boy” for a regional push aimed at ensuring Ogun Central reclaims the governorship slot after years of rotation.
“Should Yayi become the next Governor, Ogun Central — which has alternated power with Ogun East — would most likely be out of the equation for 16 years. With governors typically serving two terms, power brokers in Ogun Central consider this untenable and are rallying behind Edun as their poster boy,” a political insider explained.
The push is driven by Ogun Central’s insistence on not staying away from the top job for another extended period. Governor Dapo Abiodun, who will complete his second term in 2027, is from Ogun East. Meanwhile, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola — popularly known as Yayi — has emerged as the most visible aspirant from Ogun West, championing Yewa’s long-standing ambition to produce a governor for the first time.
However, Yewa’s push faces challenges due to its relatively smaller voting numbers. While Yayi has tried to strengthen his claim by pointing to his maternal roots in Ogun Central, many power brokers remain unconvinced and instead see Edun as a “thoroughbred son of the soil” and the zone’s most credible candidate.
Talks of Edun’s possible candidacy, initially dismissed last year amid reports that he was uninterested, resurfaced early this year and have since gained significant traction — though the Minister has yet to make any official statement on the matter.
As the political permutations intensify, Ogun Central’s choice of Edun could set up a major contest between the region’s ambition, Yewa’s historic bid, and Ogun East’s outgoing influence, shaping one of the most defining battles ahead of the 2027 elections. Read More
