The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation and Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, on Saturday, said that it was not yet time to talk about the 2027 governorship race in the state.

Adeola said that he is currently preoccupied with delivering on his campaign promises as Senator representing the people of Ogun West and that the future would determine his next political move.

The third-term Senator disclosed this while speaking with journalists during the annual New Year thanksgiving service held on Saturday at the Unity Cathedral of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ogun Province Seven, Ilaro.

The lawmaker has been tipped as the topmost contender for the 2027 governorship race in the state.

Asked to confirm the media report suggesting that his next political move would be to succeed Dapo Abiodun after his term in 2027, Adeola explained, “I don’t think it is time for that now, we are still involved in trying to bring back the dividends of democracy to the people as senator elected for Ogun West.

“What we are here to do today is to appreciate the Almighty God for his support in the past years and to also celebrate the new year with my people for their support and cooperation as well, because they are the ones who put me in this office.

“So, in the future, we can start talking about that when the time is ripe to know if I am going forward or I am staying where I am, the future will determine all of that.”

The lawmaker described 2024 as very fantastic with all the developmental projects and empowerment programmes facilitated for the Senatorial district, assuring a more rewarding and responsive leadership in the new year.

Adeola said, “2025 will be another exciting year, our people should be expecting good things as far as my representation at the Senate is concerned in terms of developmental projects, in terms of empowering the people and in terms of contributing to national issues on the floor of the Senate so that we can build a virile and much more prosperous country.”

He called for more support for the “All Progressives Congress”-led administration in the country, saying that President Bola Tinubu is doing everything humanly possible to restore the country to the path of economic growth and that just very soon, “There will be light at the end of the tunnel.”

Adeola, while praising the faithfulness and support of the Almighty God for his family, however, donated the sum of N50m for the completion of the ongoing construction of Unity Cathedral of the RCCG, Ogun Province Seven, Ilaro.

Speaking on the theme of the annual New Year thanksgiving, “Grateful For His Faithfulness,” the Pastor-In-Charge of the RCCG, Ogun Province Seven, Pastor Johnson Olukolatimi, urged people to be appreciative of God’s loving kindness and tender mercies at all times.

Ministering from the book of 1st Thessalonians 5 vs 18, Pastor Olukolatimi said that as much as God expected people to be thankful unto him, He wants people to do that in righteousness, urging the people to shun sinful life in the new year and serve God in holiness for the betterment of the country.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano state, stated that the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) will reduce the influence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Speaking on Wednesday at a meeting with party stakeholders in Tsanyawa LGA of the state, Kwankwaso mentioned that the NNPP aims to ensure the APC receives fewer than 15,000 votes in the 2027 elections.

In the 2023 governorship election, the NNPP garnered 1,019,602 votes, the APC secured 890,705 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came third with 15,957 votes.

Kwankwaso emphasized that the NNPP achieved the “remarkable feat” of over one million votes despite being a new political platform and starting its campaign late.

“Now, it’s our turn to diminish APC’s influence. We will work tirelessly to ensure their votes are reduced to less than 15,000 in Kano come 2027,” Kwankwaso stated.

Kwankwaso, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in 2023, urged his supporters to stay united and focused to ensure the party’s success in future elections.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Sunday, stated that it was not intimidated by the weekend visit of former presidential flag-bearer of the New Nigeria People’s Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, to the Abeokuta, Ogun State home of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo “to discuss the political future of Nigeria.”

In recent weeks, there have been growing debates about the 2027 general elections after the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, advocated for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

According to Akume, there will be no vacancy in Aso Rock until 2031, when Tinubu would have completed a second term.

However, the opposition has rejected this notion, insisting that the ruling APC would be removed from power by 2027.

Over the weekend, Kwankwaso and Duke, a 2007 presidential aspirant, visited ex-President Obasanjo in Abeokuta and held a closed-door meeting.

Although the specifics of their discussions remain undisclosed, sources close to the leaders suggested that the meeting was part of a broader effort to strategize for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Obasanjo, a key figure in Nigerian politics, has been actively engaging various stakeholders to explore alternatives to the ruling APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

The ex-President has recently been highly critical of Tinubu’s administration, condemning alleged corruption and rising debt burdens.

Kwankwaso, an influential figure in Kano State politics, brings significant clout and followership, while Duke, a former governor from the southern region, is expected to offer his unique perspective on governance and national unity.

Though the details of their conversation remain confidential, Kwankwaso’s statement after the meeting suggested a collective intention to challenge the existing political structure and pave the way for a new direction in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Confirming the meeting via his verified Facebook page, Kwankwaso stated, “I was pleased to be in the company of my friend, His Excellency Donald Duke, and other associates to pay a courtesy call on former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his residence in Abeokuta.”

He added, “Deliberations on significant national issues, including the future of politics and governance in Nigeria, defined the conversation. We are grateful to Baba for his warm reception, support, and hospitality.”

However, responding to the development in an interview (with The Punch) on Sunday, the National Publicity Director of the ruling APC, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the meeting as a potential threat to APC continuity.

Ibrahim asserted that Tinubu’s political stature and relevance in contemporary politics had far surpassed those of the opposition figures and statesmen.

He said, “With due respect, I hold Obasanjo in high esteem. As a former President, ex-Head of State, and an elder statesman, I don’t want to take issues with him. But when it comes to the politics of Nigeria, particularly contemporary politics, Tinubu is not their mate.”

“Tinubu is head and shoulders above them in modern politics in Nigeria. So the combination of Obasanjo, Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, and Donald Duke, who was my schoolmate, does not present a threat to Tinubu. These are people who were trashed in the last election.”

“This is not the first time Obasanjo has rallied around someone, and that person was defeated. Remember, he supported (ex-President Goodluck) Jonathan, who later lost to Buhari. Obasanjo supported another candidate, Peter Obi, in the last election again and Tinubu trounced them.”

“So they can have marathon meetings and meet till the end of time, they will not present any threat to the government of APC. Who among Kwankwaso, Obasanjo, Obi, and Duke was not beaten? If they are bringing angels, it’s a different story. But if it is these same spent forces that will combine and meet, their meeting cannot bring any good outcome.”