…Pays Tribute to Mentor Ajadi, Pledges Support for Yayi’s 2027 Governorship Bid
By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
Residents of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State may soon experience the restoration of electricity after more than 16 years of blackout, following the intervention of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, who has approved ₦1 billion for the rehabilitation and restoration of power supply to the riverine communities.
The development followed a strategic visit to the senator by the member representing Ogun Waterside State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 election, Hon. Lawal Samusideen Adekunle (Lawee), alongside prominent grassroots political mobiliser, Adenaya Fatai, popularly known as Modawoni.
During the visit, the delegation drew Senator Adeola’s attention to the prolonged electricity crisis in Abigi and other communities within Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, where residents have lived without stable power supply for over a decade and a half, a situation that has severely affected businesses, education, and social life in the area.
In response, Senator Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly and is widely regarded as a leading political figure in Ogun State, directed relevant electricity authorities to immediately commence processes toward restoring power to the affected communities. He also approved ₦1 billion for the execution of the project, a decision that was warmly received by stakeholders present.
Modawoni, whose full name is Adenaya Fatai, is a grassroots political mobiliser and community advocate from Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. He rose to prominence during the 2023 general elections when he contested for the Ogun Waterside State Constituency seat in the Ogun State House of Assembly under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). Though he did not win the election, he remained a strong voice in local politics, with his influence growing among youths and community stakeholders due to his consistent advocacy for development and grassroots empowerment.
Following the election, Modawoni continued his engagement in community and political affairs across party lines but later resigned from the NNPP, citing a commitment to collaborative and development-driven leadership. Since then, he has positioned himself as a non-partisan stakeholder focused on unity, stability, and infrastructural development in Ogun Waterside.
Reacting to the development, Modawoni expressed deep appreciation to Senator Yayi for what he described as a life-changing intervention that would restore hope to thousands of residents in the area.
“For more than sixteen years, our people have lived in darkness. Businesses collapsed, students struggled, and communities were denied basic opportunities that electricity provides. We are sincerely grateful to Senator Yayi for listening to the people and taking decisive action,” he said.
He added that the approval of ₦1 billion for the project demonstrated genuine leadership and commitment to the welfare of the people.
“This is not just a political decision; it is a humanitarian intervention that will transform lives and revive economic activities across Ogun Waterside,” Modawoni added.
In a further remark, Modawoni declared his political support for Senator Adeola ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State, describing him as a tested leader with the capacity to transform the state if given the mandate.
He said his endorsement was based on Yayi’s track record of public service and recent developmental interventions in Ogun Waterside, adding that leadership should be judged by tangible impact on the people.
According to him, he also remains grateful to his political mentor, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, whom he credited for shaping his political journey.
“I must sincerely appreciate my political mentor and leader, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo. I have never regretted being introduced into politics by him. He has been a source of guidance, discipline, and inspiration in my political life,” he said.
Observers noted that the intervention by Senator Yayi, following the visit of Lawee and Modawoni, could mark a turning point in addressing the long-standing infrastructural challenges in the riverine communities of Ogun Waterside.
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Residents have also expressed optimism that the electricity restoration project will revive economic activities, improve security, and enhance the overall standard of living in the area, which has suffered years of neglect.
The development has been widely described as a strong example of collaborative political engagement aimed at delivering tangible dividends of democracy to grassroots communities.
