A World Bank Senior Agricultural Economist, Dr. Adetunji Oredipe, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2026 Ogun State governorship election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging a people-centered administration and a focus on rural development.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Oredipe outlined his vision, track record, and strategies to address local governance challenges, while ensuring the sustainability of developmental projects across the state.
“I look very good. You are talking about somebody who has handled issues at the very national level 22 years ago. I was the head of the famous FADMA program that thrives in every community, every village in Nigeria. I was the head 22 years ago. You are talking to somebody who has helped a minister to give the best to Nigeria in the area of agriculture,” Oredipe said, stressing his extensive experience in national and international agricultural development.
Oredipe highlighted his extensive international experience, saying he spent three and a half years supporting the Liberian government and another three and a half years assisting Sierra Leone.
He emphasized his depth of competence, saying: “I’ve supported Liberia government for three and a half years. I’ve supported Sierra Leone government for another three and a half years. I’m still counting in terms of competence. I sit around when agricultural development among nations has been decided. We are talking for somebody who has seen it all, both in terms of practical involvement and working behind the scenes to make sure the right documents are available.”
The Agricultural Economist highlighted his commitment to community-level development in Ogun State, citing specific projects. “Go to villages, such as a rural village like Eriti community. I brought solar light to that village 20 years ago. Many more communities. Go to ILARO, the family center, they know that my name is written boldly on this. By training, I’m a community man. When you want to talk to me, you are talking to a community development expert.”
On Zoning and Administrative Convenience
Addressing the zoning debate, Oredipe, who holds over 20 Chieftancy titles including the Otunba Asoludero of Erunwon, Asiwaju of Ijari and Oke Eri, Otunba Moyegeso of Ago-Iwoye, clarified that his stance is based on administrative efficiency rather than ethnic division. “We have zoned our state into four political arrangements… Yewa is Yewa. Egba is Egba. Remo is big, Remo. And the Ijebus, we are there. It’s for political convenience. You need to administer your area. I don’t want to go into history… The last Ijebu man that occupied that position was Baba Onabanjo and you saw the difference. You saw what happened. That big infrastructure many years back, that’s a man of vision,” he said.
In Ogun State’s political landscape, the zoning arrangement has often guided succession and candidacy for the governorship. With the current governor, Dapo Abiodun, hailing from the Remo zone, Oredipe, as an aspirant from the Ijebu zone, is positioning himself within a different section of the state. This leaves the Yewa and Egba zones as the key battlegrounds for major contenders, reflecting the rotation principle that parties often observe to balance representation across the state’s diverse regions.
On Intra-Party Competition
Oredipe acknowledged the competitive landscape within the APC, which includes notable figures such as Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), Mr. Gboyega Isiaka, Mr. Abiodun Akinlade, Dr. Tunde Lemo, Mr. Sarafa Ishola, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, Minister Wale Edun, and Dr. Bosun Tijani.
He noted that the abundance of experience and competition in the state is clear, but added that what a state truly needs is to focus on what is missing.
He said he is approaching governance with a people-centered vision, especially for rural communities, stressing that it is no longer enough for the poor to simply breathe they must survive and thrive.
“There is a common saying that we say, “Ogun State ni won pe ibi” this is a state blessed with very rich, I’m not talking about money, very intellectually rich set of people. When you want to do anything you know you are in competition. If it is competition we have it in abundance in local states. If it is experience some people say they have full ground. But, what am I saying here? It gets to a point in the life of a state. You need to look at what is missing. I come to you in the spirit of what is missing.”
Oredipe also highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts in supporting its citizens, noting that numerous grants have been implemented, with basic income initiatives reaching a total of 17 trillion.
“We need to be people centered. We need to move into the rural communities. We need to make sure people are able to, they say let the poor breathe. It’s no longer about just breathe, they must survive. So, we have done, we have covered a lot of grants as a state. The last time I listened to people in charge of our economy, I understand our basic income has reached 17 trillion”. He added.
Relationship with the Incumbent Governor
He described his relationship with Governor Dapo Abiodun as cordial and neutral in the succession process. “The State Governor is a friend. We belong to the same age grade, the great Bobagunte. Today, you can reach out to your people in a number of ways. We are communicating. To the best of my knowledge, he has remained very neutral. I’ve not heard him mention anybody’s name to anybody, not to my knowledge. And I believe he will want the best for the state,” Oredipe said.
Commitment to Local Government Autonomy
On local government autonomy, Oredipe insisted on strict adherence to constitutional provisions. “You must respect the constitution. What the president is just saying is that the constitution is saying that there are three styles of government and they are provided resources at different levels. Allow those local governments to manage their respect,” he said.
He added, “Local government money should solve local government problems. State government money should solve state government problems. Otherwise, why will the Federal Government from time to time bail out the states? Because they cannot sit back and watch any state go into serious deficit. That can cost a lot of things… security, inflation… even access to basic living conditions.”
Oredipe sad, “Don’t just give them resources. Give them the capacity. I should not do it on your behalf. I should make the services available to you, build your capacity to be able to drive it so that it becomes sustainable at the end. That’s the one special area of training that is not available to many people.”
The World Bank official also emphasized the importance of professional background in leadership, noting that a governor’s expertise shapes their approach to governance.
He explained, “If you make an engineer your governor, whatever he’s going to do in the office, you will see a lot of engineering and fundamentals in those areas. So background matters. If you make a businessman, like my good friend and brother, our president and governor, you’ll see a lot of businesses flowing. Okay. And if you make an accountant, just like the president, you’ll see a lot of tax reforms. Something along that line.”
He urged voters to consider his own professional experience in agriculture, framing it as a strategic advantage for the state. “Now, I’m putting something on the table. Make this community-driven expert your governor. Make this agriculturalist your governor,” Oredipe said, highlighting his commitment to a governance model grounded in agricultural development and community-centered solutions.
