By Amos Adegbite

As the political clock ticks toward the end of Prince Dapo Abiodun’s second term, the atmosphere in Ogun State is thick with scheming, alignment, and realignment. The central question dominating political discourse is simple: who succeeds the “Iperu Remo-born” Governor?

Among the names echoing through the corridors of power is Hon Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, popularly known as GNI, currently representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Isiaka is no stranger to the governorship race. Having vied for the office three times in the past, his critics have been asking if he has the stamina for another attempt. However, a recent high-profile gathering has provided a resounding answer for those with discerning minds.

A few weeks ago, a significant event sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape: over 45 traditional rulers from the Ogun West Senatorial District held a closed-door meeting with Isiaka. While the monarchs remained officially tight-lipped about the specifics, the pictures released afterward told a thousand words.

The sight of the venerable custodians of Yewa-Awori culture offering fervent prayers for GNI was interpreted by many as a “Royal Endorsement” for his quest to finally bring the governorship seat to a zone that has been marginalized for over half a century.

Since the creation of Ogun State 50 years ago, a peculiar political asymmetry has persisted. The governorship has rotated almost exclusively between Ogun Central and Ogun East, leaving Ogun West as the “weeping son” of the Gateway State.

Many argue that the quest for equity in 2027 is not just about a zone, but about finding a candidate from that zone who possesses the statewide appeal to win over the Egba and Ijebu/Remo blocs. GNI, with his consistent hundreds of thousands of votes across all three districts in previous elections, fits that bill perfectly.

Isiaka’s greatest asset remains his unique “techno-political” profile. In a state with full potentials for industrialization, the argument for an investment expert is compelling. Long before he entered the green chambers of the National Assembly, Isiaka was among the architects of Ogun State’s modern commercial framework.

As the pioneer Managing Director of Gateway Holdings under the administration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Isiaka was among the egg-heads who transitioned the state from a “civil service economy” to an investment destination. By managing the investment portfolio of the state, he was a central figure in the Ogun State Regional Master Plan, conceptualizing the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (OK-LNG) project and the Guangdong-Ogun Free Trade Zone.

His discipline, forged in the boardrooms merchant banks, allowed him to turn dormant state assets into profit-making ventures. Many still credit him with the transparent bidding process that revived state-owned hotels and de-risked investments for international manufacturers in the Igbesa axis. This pedigree distinguishes him from “career politicians” who lack a fundamental understanding of wealth creation and asset management.

However, the road to the APC ticket is not without thorns. Critics and rival camps, most notably supporters of Senator Solomon Adeola (YAYI), argue that Isiaka should step aside and support the new entrant into the race. They have launched a spirited campaign, occasionally luring away fair-weather lieutenants from the GNI camp with the promise of transactional politics.

But GNI’s core supporters, often described as having a “cult-like” devotion, remain unperturbed. They distinguish between “transactional politics” and “conviction politics.” To them, Isiaka represents the Omoluabi (character-driven) approach to governance.

Dr. Adio Olorunfemi, leader of the Yewa Renaissance Group (YRG), captures this sentiment perfectly: “GNI cannot abandon his ambition now. He has heavy ‘political investment’ in this state crossing across all 236 electoral wards and 20 local government area in the state.

“Ogun needs a cerebral, deep thinker and an investment expert to consolidate the giant strides of Governor Dapo Abiodun. We know his pedigree; there is no controversy about his identity or his roots. We are waiting for other aspirants to tell us their service and contributions to the development of the state. At the appropriate time, true indigenes will let it be known that the Oke-Mosan office is not for sale to the highest bidder.”

While critics point to his three previous attempts as a sign of failure, his supporters see it as a mark of resilience and genuine commitment. In a climate where some politicians threw in the towel at the first sign of a lost election, Isiaka’s ability to remain active, relevant, and visible, now serving his people at the federal level, speaks to a vision that transcends a mere thirst for power.

As 2027 approaches, APC in Ogun State faces a choice. Will it opt for the deep pockets of transactional politics, or will it lean toward a seasoned technocrat with 20 years of state-level economic planning experience? If the prayers of the 45 traditional rulers are anything to go by, the “GNI Phenomenon” is far from over. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka remains the bridge between Ogun’s industrial past and its prosperous future, a candidate whose time, many believe, has finally come.

*Adegbite, a public affairs analyst writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State.