Ogun 2027: Moneybags Will Lose As Voters Collect Cash, Vote Credible Candidates – Ola-Williams

 

Ogun State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Otunba (Dr.) Yinka Ola-Williams, has expressed confidence that financial inducements will not determine the outcome of the 2027 governorship election, declaring that voters will collect money from politicians but vote for candidates they consider credible and trustworthy.

Ola-Williams made this known while speaking on Oselu Gbode, a political programme on Royal FM in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, where he expressed optimism that the electorate would prioritise good governance over monetary inducements in the forthcoming election.

He declared that “money will be ashamed” in the 2027 general elections in Ogun State, insisting that candidates who rely on financial influence to secure votes could be disappointed at the polls.

According to him, the electorate is becoming more conscious of the need to elect leaders who can address their socio-economic challenges rather than those who distribute money and engage in empowerment programmes primarily for electoral gains.

“I don't have money to throw around or organise empowerment programmes aimed at deceiving the electorate, only to recoup the money after winning an election,” he said.

The SDP candidate, however, assured residents that his administration, if elected, would prioritise social welfare, poverty alleviation and adequate security, in line with the party's ideology.

He urged Ogun residents to consider giving the SDP an opportunity to govern the state, arguing that the party's ideological orientation offers an alternative approach to addressing the challenges confronting the people.

Ola-Williams noted that Ogun had experienced administrations under different political platforms, including the AD, PDP, ACN and APC, and called on voters to consider the SDP, which he linked to the political legacy of the late business magnate and 1993 presidential election winner, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO).

He maintained that the SDP's focus on social welfare and poverty reduction could provide a pathway to addressing the country's socio-economic difficulties.

Food security, agricultural development top agenda

On his plans for the agricultural sector, Ola-Williams said his administration would prioritise food security, stressing that Ogun State had the agricultural potential to feed itself.

He disclosed that his government would procure tractors for deployment across the local government areas to encourage commercial farming and boost agricultural production.He maintained that the SDP's focus on social welfare and poverty reduction could provide a pathway to addressing the country's socio-economic difficulties.

According to him, farmers would be required to provide diesel for the tractors and engage in commercial farming, while the government would purchase their produce for storage, processing and eventual export after meeting local consumption needs.

“My administration will buy the produce into its warehouses for processing towards exporting, having met the local needs,” he said.

He explained that the proposed arrangement would create a structured market for farmers, encourage large-scale agricultural production and strengthen the state's capacity to generate revenue through agro-processing and exports. 

SDP open to credible coalition, candidate says

Speaking on the possibility of a coalition ahead of the 2027 election, Ola-Williams said the SDP would only participate in an alliance it considered credible and beneficial to the people of Ogun State.

He warned that the party would not hesitate to withdraw from any coalition arrangement if it discovered questionable dealings or agreements inconsistent with its principles.

“SDP will only join a credible coalition in Ogun, but if we find out that there is any shady deal, we will pull out,” he stated.

The governorship hopeful also called for issue-based politics, insisting that elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair.

He said Ogun State needed leaders who genuinely cared about the welfare of the masses, rather than politicians driven by personal interests.

“Election is not a do-or-die affair. We only need good leaders who have the love of the masses at heart,” he said.

‘I will step down for a better candidate’

Ola-Williams, while explaining his decision to join the governorship race, said he believed he possessed the capacity to govern Ogun State better than those currently managing its affairs.

He, however, expressed his willingness to reconsider his ambition if a more suitable candidate emerged ahead of the election.

“I came out to contest because I am better than those currently managing our state, but if I see any better candidate than me, I will step down and support him,” he declared.

He reiterated that his ambition was driven by the desire to provide purposeful leadership and improve the living conditions of Ogun residents, rather than an uncompromising pursuit of political power.

The SDP candidate's remarks come as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State, with issues of electoral integrity, economic hardship, food security, poverty alleviation and political alliances expected to feature prominently in the contest.