ABEOKUTA, Ogun State — Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Ogun State, was seen on Sunday presenting and posing with 5kg bags of garri branded with his image and campaign materials during an indoor gathering with supporters.
Video footage circulating on social media shows Adeola, dressed in white traditional attire and a distinctive cap, inspecting stacks of the packaged garri in a brightly lit hall.
He picks up one of the bags, holds it up for the camera, and interacts with a group of men, many also in white attire and campaign caps bearing “YAYI” branding. The bags feature labels with Adeola’s photograph and the name “YAYI.” Banner displays and other campaign materials are visible in the background, including references associated with his political activities.
The short clip, lasting under 24 seconds, captures Adeola and associates examining the items piled on the floor of what appears to be a formal indoor venue. No formal speech or detailed remarks are audible in the circulating video, which focuses primarily on the visual of the candidate with the food items.
Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, emerged as the APC’s consensus candidate after a direct primary earlier in 2026 in which he secured overwhelming support.
The party has formally submitted his name, along with that of his running mate, Mrs. Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun, to the Independent National Electoral Commission. He has previously rolled out several empowerment initiatives in the state, including cash grants to traders under the “Oloja Yayi” programme and support for farmers and other constituents.
The garri distribution, as depicted, aligns with common patterns of constituency outreach and campaign-related palliatives in Nigerian politics, particularly amid economic pressures affecting food prices and household budgets. Garri, a staple cassava-based food, remains a widely consumed and relatively affordable item for many households.
Critics on social media quickly highlighted the event, with some describing the presentation of 5kg bags as underwhelming or symbolic of limited ambition in addressing broader developmental challenges. Supporters, by contrast, often frame such gestures as practical assistance and continued engagement with grassroots supporters ahead of the 2027 polls.
As of the latest available information, neither Adeola’s media team nor the Ogun APC leadership has issued a detailed public statement specifically addressing the video or confirming the scale, location, or exact purpose of the distribution beyond what is visible in the footage.
The event appears to form part of ongoing mobilisation activities as the APC intensifies preparations for the next governorship contest, with Governor Dapo Abiodun and other party leaders already involved in campaign structures supporting Adeola’s bid.
The circulation of the video has added to public conversation about the nature of political outreach in Ogun State as the 2027 election cycle advances.
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