ABEOKUTA, Nigeria — Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, has unveiled his political manifesto—the “ITESIWAJU Blueprint”—promising full local government autonomy, direct funding to all 20 local government areas (LGAs), and sweeping civil service reforms ahead of the 2027 election.
Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abeokuta, Adeola disclosed that the nine-pillar development framework was finalized after three years of consultations with community leaders, professional bodies, and political stakeholders across the state.
Under the proposed governance strategy, Adeola pledged to prioritize grassroots development by ensuring local governments receive their financial allocations directly, empowering local councils to execute community-driven infrastructure and social welfare programs independently.
Addressing public sector reforms, the lawmaker highlighted civil servants as the engine of governance, promising enhanced welfare packages, competitive remuneration, regular capacity-building training, and improved working conditions to boost productivity and morale across state ministries and agencies.
The agenda is structured around the acronym ITESIWAJU (Yoruba for “Progress”), outlining key policy focus areas: Infrastructure Development, Tourism and Creative Arts, Education and Economic Empowerment, Security and Welfare, Inclusive Health, Women and Youth Empowerment, Agricultural Transformation, Job Creation and Industrialisation, and Urbanisation paired with Open Governance.
To address transportation and urban expansion, the blueprint outlines plans for a Bus Mass Transit scheme, regional rail connections linking major industrial corridors, and the creation of new satellite towns designed to manage population growth and attract private sector investment.
Underscoring the importance of governance stability, Adeola affirmed that his administration would sustain and complete infrastructure projects initiated by Governor Dapo Abiodun rather than abandoning them. Citing Lagos State’s growth trajectory since 1999 as a benchmark, he stressed that institutional continuity remains critical for long-term economic development.
