The All Progressives Congress in Ogun State has selected Alhaja Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa-Balogun as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election. The announcement was made at the APC Strategic Caucus Meeting held Sunday at the party's secretariat in Abeokuta. She was chosen alongside Senator Solomon Adeola, who was endorsed as the party's governorship candidate two months prior. Adegunwa-Balogun, a chartered accountant, hails from Ososa Town in Odogbolu Local Government Area. She is the daughter of Alhaji Sulaiman Adegunwa, founder of RITE FOODS.
Governor Dapo Abiodun announced the selection at the meeting, which was attended by party leaders and stakeholders. He stated the process had been carefully managed and described Ogun APC's candidate selection method as a model for other states. Abiodun said the party would honour its commitment to include those who stepped down during the consensus process, with some being considered for roles such as commissioners, special advisers, and special assistants.
Senator Solomon Adeola, the governorship candidate, confirmed he had known Adegunwa-Balogun for over 27 years through her husband, a former three-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He said she was selected from a pool of 17 qualified women who had expressed interest in the deputy position. Adeola credited Governor Abiodun for his leadership in ensuring a smooth, consensus-driven process. In her acceptance speech, Adegunwa-Balogun thanked Abiodun and party leaders, pledging not to betray the trust placed in her. She affirmed her commitment to working with Adeola to advance Ogun State, calling the selection a demonstration of inclusiveness.
Governor Dapo Abiodun promoted the selection as a model of consensus while also revealing plans to appoint some who stepped down to government roles. The promise of positions to those who withdrew suggests the consensus was less about unity and more about political bargaining. Nigerians named in the arrangement now stand to benefit from appointments, tying their loyalty to the outcome of the 2027 election. This blurs the line between party selection and patronage.
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