Governorship talks surround Kayode Egbetokun barely 24 hours after resigning as IGP. Could Ogun West 2027 race be taking shape?
From IGP to 2027 Contender? Egbetokun’s Resignation Triggers Ogun West Governorship Talks
By Lukman OMIKUNLE
Barely 24 hours after stepping down as Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun is already at the center of growing political speculation in Ogun State.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday accepted Egbetokun’s resignation, which the former police chief attributed to “pressing family considerations,” effectively ending a tenure that was expected to run until June 2027.
But in political circles, particularly within Ogun West Senatorial District, conversations have swiftly shifted from policing to politics.
In a statement, the Presidency disclosed that President Tinubu received Egbetokun’s resignation letter earlier in the day and “expressed his profound appreciation for Egbetokun’s decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation.”
The President also acknowledged his “dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure.”
Egbetokun, appointed in June 2023 under the amended Police Act guaranteeing a four-year term, stepped down voluntarily, according to the statement.
In a swift transition, the President approved the appointment of Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police “with immediate effect,” citing prevailing security realities.
Yet, beyond the official narrative lies a developing political subplot.
Egbetokun hails from Erinja in Yewa South Local Government Area, a key political bloc within Ogun West Senatorial District.
With the 2027 governorship election on the horizon, Ogun West stakeholders have intensified advocacy for the district to produce its first governor since the state’s creation over 50 years ago.
His sudden resignation has therefore triggered speculation that he may be aligning with the Ogun West 2027 Agenda.
While no formal declaration has been made, observers note that the timing of his exit, nearly halfway into his tenure, is politically significant.
Should Egbetokun enter the race, he would likely face established political heavyweights within the same senatorial district.
Among them is Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, widely regarded as a formidable aspirant with strong structures and visibility.
Another major figure is Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, who has contested the governorship twice and came notably close in 2015.
There are also murmurs of other Yewa and Awori stakeholders nursing ambitions, though none has publicly declared.
For many political analysts, the larger concern is not the emergence of aspirants but the risk of fragmentation.
Ogun West’s inability to produce a governor over the past 50 years has often been attributed to internal divisions and lack of a united front.
The unfolding scenario raises a critical question, will the district consolidate behind a consensus candidate in 2027, or repeat what some describe as a historical pattern of in-house rivalry that weakens collective ambition?
For now, Egbetokun’s official position remains clear, his resignation was based on “pressing family considerations.”
But in politics, timing often speaks louder than words.
Whether this marks the quiet beginning of a governorship ambition or remains mere speculation, one thing is evident — Ogun West’s 2027 political chessboard is already taking shape.
And barely 24 hours after leaving office as Nigeria’s top cop, Kayode Egbetokun may have entered a different kind of arena.
Whether this development marks the quiet beginning of a governorship campaign remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that Ogun West’s political temperature has risen — and the countdown to 2027 may have subtly begun. Read More
