7 people likely gunning for Ogun governorship position (photos)

In two years, a group of at least eight political aspirants will battle for the governor's seat in Ogun state and at least one of them is a woman.

According to The Nation, some of these future aspirants already hold key political positions in Nigeria and are veterans of many political battles.

Below is a list of some of them:

1. Chief Tolu Odebiyi


Chief Tolu Adebiyi
Chief Odebiyi is 54, and the current Chief of Staff of Ogun state to Governor Ibikunle Amosun. He was a member of the State Judicial Service Commission and Transition Committee on Housing and has over 25 years international and domestic real estate experience.

He is the son of late politician, Chief Jonathan Odebiyi, who hails from Iboro community in Iju Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

Odebiyi is believed to have been brought in by Amosun to understudy the system – the politics, the governance and the intrigues at a close range, in the hope of becoming his successor.

2. Suraj Adekunbi


Suraj Adekunbi
Suraj Ishola Adekunbi is a Nigerian business man, politician, member of APC and incumbent speaker of the Ogun state House Of Assembly.

He is a faithful ally of Governor Amosun and banks on the renewed strident clamour for “Yewa-for-Governor” as an opportunity to aspire for the governorship seat.

Also, according to reports he has been consulting quietly and widely; his foot soldiers have continued to market him openly and clandestinely in many quarters.

3. Otunba Bimbo Ashiru


Bimbo Ashiru
Otunba Ashiru was the head of the public sector at Stanbic IBTC bank and is now the commissioner for commerce and industry.

The technocrat joined Amosun’s government from inception in 2011. The commissioner who has continued to attract investors to the state, has integrity and a pool of goodwill on his side.

4. Senator Solomon Adeola

Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi was born August 10, 1969 and he is the senator representing Lagos West and chairman of House of Representatives committee on public accounts. He is also a chartered accountant and a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

He has become a household name with his 2019 governorship aspiration. He may be the one to actualise Ogun West’s long quest to occupy the number one office in the state.

5. Sir Kessington Adebutu


Sir Kessington Adebutu
Sir Adebutu is a successful business magnate and owner of the popular Premier Lotto aka Baba Ijebu.

He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and has not concealed his ambition to govern Ogun in 2019.

He is expected to be the beneficiary of the zoning arrangement, which is enshrined in the PDP constitution, when the race begins in earnest.

6. Prince Gboyega Isiaka


Gboyega Isiaka
In 2011 and 2015, Prince Isiaka contested for the governorship and lost. On those two occasions, he made an impressive showing.

This time around, the man, who is popularly known as GNI believes he has a good chance of winning as he now has a quantum of experience on his side. Also, he is a familiar political brand and a technocrat, who is intelligent, cool-headed and youthful.

7. Senator Iyabo Anisulowo


Senator Anisulowo
Iyabo Veronica Anishulowo (née Ajibogun) is a Nigerian educator and elder stateswoman who served the Federal Government of Nigeria at many levels. She is one of the most prominent female political personalities and proponents of gender equality in Africa.

She rose through the ranks from grass root level as a teacher to serve as a Federal Minister and Senator.