Ex-CBN deputy gov Lemo steps down, backs Yayi for Ogun governorship

In a significant political maneuver, former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor Tunde Lemo has stepped aside from his own governorship aspirations in Ogun State, throwing his considerable weight behind Senator Solomon Adeola, widely known as Yayi. This decision, announced from Abeokuta, signals a calculated move towards consolidating the All Progressives Congress's strength ahead of the 2027 elections.

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This is not a retreat from service. It is a deliberate, strategic alignment for the greater good.

Lemo's statement emphasized that this is not an abdication of service but a "deliberate, strategic alignment for the greater good." He expressed deep confidence in the APC leadership's choice, highlighting Senator Adeola's perceived capacity to build upon the current administration's successes and elevate Ogun State into a premier industrial and innovation center for Nigeria. The consensus arrangement, he noted, is crucial for fostering unity across the state's senatorial districts, thereby bolstering the party's electoral prospects.

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The consensus arrangement was also designed to foster unity across the state’s three senatorial zones, strengthening the party’s overall electoral prospects.

Reflecting on past divisions, Lemo issued a powerful call to fellow party members, lamenting how "fragmentation has cost progressives momentum." He urged leaders to prioritize collective strength over individual ambition, setting an example for unity. His supporters are now tasked with mobilizing across all 20 local government areas to ensure Adeola's victory, with Lemo pledging to leverage his extensive background in finance, enterprise, and public policy to aid the party's success and effective governance.

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For too long, fragmentation has cost progressives momentum. We must close ranks. Leaders must lead by example, not by insisting on self, but by enabling strength.

This endorsement comes just days after the Ogun APC officially designated Adeola as their governorship candidate. Lemo's declaration underscores the importance of party cohesion and strategic alliances in Nigerian politics, particularly in a state as pivotal as Ogun. From the perspective of a publication like The Punch, which often scrutinizes political developments, this move is a key indicator of the internal dynamics and power plays within the ruling party as it gears up for future electoral contests.

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The contest ahead is not about individuals. It is about Ogun’s future. Let us be on the right side of history, united, focused, and victorious.