Politics
Ogun APM Governorship Candidate Unveils Policies, Vows To Declare State Of Emergency On Education
By Kaosarat Saka, Olaoluwa Ajayi and Rokiba Abdulrazak
ABEOKUTA – The 2027 governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ogun State, Tpl. Babajide Oluwarotimi Mathew, has pledged to declare a state of emergency in the education sector if elected governor, saying the state’s once-renowned reputation for academic excellence has suffered serious decline.
Babajide made the declaration while unveiling his policy agenda for the 2027 governorship election at a press conference held in Abeokuta on Saturday, stressing that education would receive urgent attention under an APM administration.
He said the proposed state of emergency would not involve the use of force or restrictions on movement, but would entail treating the education sector as an urgent priority requiring immediate and sustained government intervention.
According to him, Ogun State, historically associated with scholarship and academic excellence, can no longer afford to ignore what he described as the deterioration of standards in its schools.
“If elected, by the grace of God, on May 29, 2027, I am going to declare a state of emergency in education.
“The quality of education that our forefathers brought to us—the likes of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Tai Solarin, Professor Wole Soyinka, Beko Ransome-Kuti and so many others—is experiencing a serious decline and retrogression in Ogun State.
“I am going to declare a state of emergency. And by that, I do not mean the use of firearms, imposing a curfew or barricading roads. I mean treating education as a matter of urgency that requires immediate intervention.”
The APM candidate said the development represented a serious concern for a state whose educational history had been shaped by missionary schools, scholarships and strong academic traditions.
He argued that Ogun State’s reputation as a centre of learning had been built over decades and should be restored through deliberate government policies.
“This is a shame on us as indigenes of Ogun State. We are known for scholarship and academic excellence.
“Missionaries came and established schools, and before we knew it, our children were excelling in education. So, we cannot close our eyes to what is happening in our education sector today. It has to stop.”
Babajide also cited examination performance as part of his argument for urgent intervention, although some of the figures and comparisons he referenced require independent verification.
He maintained that Ogun State should regain its position among states noted for strong academic performance and ensure that students are adequately prepared for higher education and the world of work.
The governorship candidate linked his education agenda to his broader plan for youth development and employment, arguing that producing graduates without corresponding opportunities for skills development and employment would not adequately address the challenges confronting young people.
He said his administration would also seek to develop technical and vocational capacities among young people, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, construction and infrastructure.
According to him, government projects should create opportunities for young people in the communities where such projects are located, rather than leaving local residents without the skills required to participate in the economic activities around them.
Babajide further pledged reforms in electricity, agriculture, industrial development, youth empowerment, security, potable water and public accountability.
On electricity, he said an APM government would pursue measures to improve power supply to enable artisans, manufacturers and small businesses to operate more effectively.
He also promised to attract investors to Ogun State, upgrade the state’s airport to international standards and create more employment opportunities for young people.
The candidate said his administration would also introduce technology-driven channels through which residents could communicate directly with government agencies and report emergencies and other public concerns.
He appealed to Ogun voters to support the APM in 2027, arguing that the state needed a new direction after years of administration by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Babajide also presented his candidacy within the context of Ogun’s ethnic and political balance, describing himself as an “Egba-Egbado” candidate and calling for unity among the state’s different communities.
He said the APM campaign would seek to mobilise voters around what he described as a programme centred on education, economic development, employment and improved public services.
