Ogun APC Picks Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun as Deputy Governorship Candidate for 2027

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has named Alhaja Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun, a chartered accountant and daughter of prominent industrialist Alhaji Adebola Adegunwa, as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 general election.

Governor Dapo Abiodun announced her nomination on Sunday during the APC Strategic Caucus Meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta.

According to the governor, the decision emerged after wide-ranging consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state.

Adegunwa-Balogun will contest alongside the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, in the 2027 governorship race.

Her selection followed the party’s zoning arrangement, which allocated the deputy governorship position to Ogun East Senatorial District before further micro-zoning it to the Ijebu Central Federal Constituency.

The 51-year-old is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Finance and Administration at Rite Foods Limited, bringing decades of experience from the corporate sector to the political arena.

Observers believe her emergence could bolster the APC’s appeal among women, professionals and voters in Ogun East as the party prepares for the 2027 polls.

Speaking at the meeting, Abiodun applauded party leaders and members for preserving unity throughout the recently concluded primaries, describing the process as unprecedented in Ogun’s political history.

He noted that the APC was able to produce candidates for various elective positions without major disagreements, court cases or internal divisions.

“I have never witnessed anything like this in my years in politics in Ogun State. For the first time, leaders across generations came together to collectively endorse a successor, and that decision was accepted peacefully by all stakeholders,” the governor said.

Abiodun added that the consensus model adopted during the governorship primary contributed significantly to the peaceful conduct of other party primaries across the state.

“What we achieved reflects the true Ogun spirit. History will be kind to all of us because we have demonstrated that peaceful succession and consensus-building are possible in our politics,” he stated.

He also commended aspirants who stepped down in the interest of party cohesion, describing their sacrifices as vital to the APC’s stability and preparedness for the next election cycle.

Explaining the rationale behind Adegunwa-Balogun’s nomination, the governor said the party was guided by the principles of equity and fairness.

“If the government is coming from the West, we felt that for equity and fairness, the government should come from the East,” he said before formally presenting her as the party’s deputy governorship candidate.

Also addressing party members, Adeola expressed confidence in Adegunwa-Balogun’s ability to complement his administration if elected, citing her professional competence, leadership qualities and dedication to service.

In her acceptance speech, Adegunwa-Balogun described the nomination as both an honour and a call to serve the people of Ogun State.

“I see this nomination as a call to duty and a privilege to serve. My over three decades of experience in various leadership and governance roles in the corporate world have prepared me for this moment,” she said.

She revealed that her involvement in governance dates back to 1999, noting that the experiences had equipped her with a deeper understanding of public administration and service delivery.

“Since 1999, I have been closely associated with governance. These experiences have given me valuable insight into public service, its challenges, its impact and its sacred responsibility,” she stated.

Adegunwa-Balogun added that her nomination represented a broader commitment to inclusion and participation in governance.

“This nomination is not about me. It is about our shared responsibility. It is about the inclusion of women, youths and all citizens in shaping the future of Ogun State,” she said.

She pledged to uphold integrity, transparency and accountability while working closely with Adeola to strengthen grassroots engagement and ensure that government policies address the needs and aspirations of the people.

“Our goal is simple: a state where governance responds to the needs of its people, where development leaves no one behind, and where prosperity is shared by all,” she added.