Former Ogun State governorship aspirant and World Bank Senior Agricultural Economist, Dr. Tunji Oredipe, has opened up on the reasons behind his decision to withdraw from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship race, saying party unity and the overall development of Ogun State outweighed his personal ambition.
Speaking during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Oredipe said his participation in the governorship contest was motivated by a desire to improve the lives of ordinary people, particularly those in rural communities, rather than a quest for political office.
His comments come after the APC adopted Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as its consensus governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 election. The consensus arrangement followed consultations led by Governor Dapo Abiodun, with several aspirants, including Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, Hon. Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade, former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, former Central Bank of Nigeria Deputy Governor Dr. Tunde Lemo and Oredipe, stepping down in support of Adeola.
Reflecting on his political journey, Oredipe said he had never considered himself a politician and had repeatedly dismissed the idea of seeking public office. However, he said years of witnessing underdevelopment in many communities convinced him that remaining on the sidelines was no longer an option.
“I aspired for one reason, and that reason is the people. There was a time I always said I was not interested in politics, but there comes a point when you look around and realise you have to speak up for your people,” he said.
According to him, the sacrifices made by his parents to provide him with quality education created a responsibility to contribute to society whenever the opportunity arose.
“Our parents laboured to ensure we got the right education. When it becomes necessary to stand up for our people, we must do so,” he added.
Explaining why he accepted the party’s consensus arrangement without protest, Oredipe said leadership ultimately rests in God’s hands and that no individual can become governor unless it is divinely ordained.
“We all know only one person can be governor at a time. When it is your time, no one can stop you. Once Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola emerged as the candidate, I had no reason to oppose the decision,” he said.
The APC chieftain disclosed that he personally contacted Adeola shortly after the consensus decision to assure him of his full support.
“I did not wait for him to come to me. It is not about ego, age or qualifications. It is about accepting what God has ordained. I told him, ‘Don’t worry about me. I will pursue my agenda through you,'” he said.
Oredipe explained that his vision for Ogun State centres on ensuring that government projects translate into tangible improvements in the lives of residents.
He said infrastructure, particularly roads and the state’s airport, should be strategically linked to agriculture and rural economic development so that farmers and local businesses can benefit directly from public investments.
“What matters to me is the outcome. I want to see roads linking our villages, schools in good condition and people benefiting from government programmes,” he stated.
The former aspirant maintained that his political aspiration was never driven by personal gain, noting that he was already comfortable with his life and had no interest in seeking office for its own sake.
“By the grace of God, I have enough to eat. I have no reason to struggle over a position. My concern is seeing our communities develop and our people live better lives,” he said.
Responding to suggestions that some APC aspirants were unhappy with the consensus process, Oredipe said every individual was entitled to a personal opinion but insisted that genuine politicians should always place the interests of the people and the party above personal ambition.
“Once a legitimate decision has been taken, anyone who truly loves the people should align with it. Politics should be about service and development, not personal battles,” he said.
He expressed confidence that Senator Adeola would pursue people-centred policies if elected governor and reiterated his commitment to supporting initiatives that would improve infrastructure, strengthen agriculture and expand economic opportunities across Ogun State.
Oredipe stressed that, for him, the ultimate measure of success would not be holding political office but seeing lasting improvements in the welfare and living standards of the people of Ogun State.
