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The race for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State gained momentum on Tuesday when a US-based pediatrician and public health advocate, Dr. Bolaji Marie Odusina, declared her intention to contest the state’s most important seat.
Odusina, popularly known as Dee Doc, formally announced his ambition at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Abeokuta, where he unveiled a 12-point development agenda focused on healthcare, economic revitalization and transparent governance.
The 62-year-old hopeful described her entry into the race as a mission to address the systemic challenges facing residents, positioning herself as a reform-minded candidate with a people-centered approach.
She said: “I have seen families travel across borders to receive basic medical care. These are not statistics to me; they are real people whose pain I have witnessed.”
Odusina’s statement introduces a technocratic dimension to Ogun politics, traditionally dominated by structures rooted within major political parties such as the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
While he did not reveal his party affiliation, he said his policy platform will be made public in the coming days, a development that is already spurring political conversations among stakeholders.
Her ambition is also seen as a potential milestone as she seeks to become the first woman elected governor in Ogun State.
Highlighting her professional background, Odusina highlighted that she has over three decades of experience as a board-certified pediatrician in Nigeria and the United States, with a track record of humanitarian interventions in underserved communities.
Through his initiative, Doctors Without Prejudice, he said he has conducted medical awareness programs in communities including Odogbolu, Abeokuta North and Ijebu-Igbo, providing healthcare services to rural populations.
Citing findings from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, he decried gaps in maternal health care and infant mortality, describing them as urgent concerns that require the government’s immediate attention.
At the heart of his campaign is a policy blueprint called “DEEDOC 2027, Ilera Ati Itesiwaju (Health and Progress)”, which outlines key priorities across all critical sectors.
Proposals include establishing functional primary health centers in every ward, providing free maternal and child healthcare, establishing agricultural processing zones and industrial hubs and launching youth empowerment programmes.
It also committed to strengthening community-based safety systems, expanding infrastructure and access to renewable energy, and institutionalizing quarterly public accountability reporting.
Odusina also promised to deploy mobile clinics in rural areas and introduce solar-powered health facilities to improve access to medical services.
“These are not just promises. They are plans built on years of experience and direct engagement with our people,” he added.
He stressed that his campaign will be driven by grassroots engagement, policy-based governance and the abandonment of traditional political structures, ensuring residents have inclusive leadership.
“I will personally visit every ward. No community will be left behind,” he said.
Political observers say his entry into the race could reshape the top picks ahead of the 2027 elections, especially as calls for issue-based campaigns and greater professional participation in governance grow.
However, analysts note that his ambition may face obstacles, including the need to build a formidable political structure, secure a viable party platform and translate public goodwill into electoral success.
Odusina, however, urged residents of the state to actively participate in the electoral process, stressing that collective action would be key to achieving meaningful change.
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