Taylor Declares Senate Bid for Ogun Central, Backs Peter Obi, NDC
Former Candidate of the Labour Party for the House of Representative, Rotimi George Taylor, has declared his intention to contest the Ogun Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 election under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC
Taylor, who made the declaration in Abeokuta on Wednesday, said the NDC offers Nigerians a credible alternative to the APC and PDP, which he described as no longer meeting the yearnings of the people.
“My name is Rotimi George Taylor, I am vying for the position of Senate in Ogun Central under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC,” he said.
“I believe it is a platform that will bring joy to the millions of Nigeria, and a new Nigeria is possible with the help of fellow Nigerians.”
The senatorial hopeful faulted the direction of the ruling APC, saying the party had deviated from the vision it started with. He also referenced the 2023 presidential election and the performance of Peter Obi as proof that Nigerians are ready for change.
“When you look at things, the APC in Nigeria, we started it, and when I saw the direction is not what we expected, we moved away,” Taylor said.
“We saw a Peter Obi coming. It is not very often to see a politician like that. Even when every organization went after EFCC and others, they could not find anything to hold him down.
“He shows that such a man, given the chance to be president of this country, will bring major changes which will affect many of us positively. That is what makes me believe,” he added.
Taylor said his experience in the 2023 general election gave him confidence that the NDC can win in Ogun Central. He contested the House of Representatives seat for *Obafemi Owode/Abeokuta North/Odeda Federal Constituency* under the Labour Party.
“And we are aware that if you look at the result of that election, even PDP that people thought came a distant 3rd. Labour Party had no structure yet I came second,” he said.
“I believe I won that election but I don’t want to talk about it now. It shows you that we had a leading party. NDC is a leading party but most Nigerians move under the illusion that you have APC, PDP. We don’t have those parties again.”
Assessing the 2027 presidential race, Taylor said Nigerians are tired and seeking solutions to hunger and insecurity. He dismissed the chances of APC and PDP, citing internal crises and electoral law violations.
“First of all, with APC, I don’t think President Tinubu is contesting. For Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, I am not sure what to say because ADC has different factions. I was watching on NTA, I saw Katchukwu being elected as presidential candidate of ADC, the David Mark faction said it is Atiku. It is difficult to understand which one is their presidential candidate,” he said.
“With the PDP, the legal angle of fight is so strong that you don’t know what to believe until the last minute when all court cases have been decided. Some of their candidates are fully aware of the electoral law which says that you cannot contest primaries in two parties in one election circle. Yet people are going against the law.”
According to him, Peter Obi remains the most credible presidential option for Nigeria.
“The good value for Nigeria as it stands today is Peter Obi. That is when you are looking for somebody that has a flying colour. Apart from politicking, Nigerians know who should be the president,” Taylor said.
On Ogun Central, he listed poor electricity, bad roads, and lack of support for farmers as major challenges. He said the senate offers an opportunity to influence budgetary appropriation and attract development.
“You cannot say one challenge for Ogun Central. It is so big. They have different challenges. Some have electrical challenges, some have farming and roads. When you sit down at the senate at appropriation, you will be able to know where the direction of government is going. You will have the opportunity to have input to it and bring corrections,” he said.
Taylor lamented that many people in Ogun Central have not benefited from federal programs, including the National Directorate of Employment, due to poor representation.
“We have a National Directorate of Employment which I always talk about. How many times did you see them bringing these people to Ogun Central? It is because we don’t have representatives. The people they have been appointing are after their own goal,” he said.
He urged voters to elect candidates based on conscience and capacity.
“That is why I am advocating that in this election, vote for your conscience. Even if the people that are there are doing right, vote for them. But if you look at it that Nigeria needs positive change, vote for Peter Obi’s party, NDC,” he said.
Taylor promised to prioritise youth and women development in Ogun Central if elected.
“There are two different things I will do at Ogun Central. I will make sure that a lot of development comes to the youth, women, to the state and Ogun Central in particular where I am coming from,” he said.
“Nigerians have been ready for the new election since, because of hunger and insecurity. They want change and to distance themselves and make positive changes.”
