The race for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State gained momentum on Tuesday as a United States-based pediatrician and public health advocate, Dr Bolaji Marie Odusina, declared her intention to contest the state’s top seat.
Odusina, popularly known as Dee Doc, formally announced her ambition at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in Abeokuta, where she unveiled a 12-point development agenda focused on healthcare, economic revitalisation and transparent governance.
The 62-year-old aspirant described her entry into the race as a mission to address systemic challenges confronting residents, positioning herself as a reform-driven candidate with a people-centred approach.
She said, “I have seen families travel across borders for basic medical care. These are not statistics to me; they are real people whose pain I have witnessed.”
Odusina’s declaration introduces a technocratic dimension into Ogun politics, traditionally dominated by entrenched structures within major political parties such as the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
Although she did not disclose her party affiliation, she said her political platform would be made public in the coming days, a development already stirring political conversations among stakeholders.
Her ambition is also being viewed as a potential milestone, as she seeks to become the first female elected governor in Ogun State.
Highlighting her professional background, Odusina noted 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 her initiative, Doctors Without Prejudice, she said she had led medical outreach programmes in communities including Odogbolu, Abeokuta North and Ijebu-Igbo, providing healthcare services to rural populations.
Citing findings from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, she decried gaps in maternal healthcare and child mortality, describing them as urgent concerns requiring immediate government attention.
At the core of her campaign is a policy blueprint tagged ‘DEEDOC 2027, Ilera Ati Itesiwaju (Health and Advancement)’, which outlines key priorities across critical sectors.
Among the proposals are the establishment of functional primary healthcare centres in every ward, provision of free maternal and child healthcare, creation of agro-processing zones and industrial hubs, and the launch of youth empowerment programmes.
She also pledged to strengthen community-based security systems, expand infrastructure and renewable energy access, and institutionalise quarterly public accountability reports.
Odusina further promised to deploy mobile clinics to rural areas and introduce solar-powered health facilities to improve access to medical services.
“These are not just promises. They are plans built from years of experience and direct engagement with our people,” she added.
She emphasised that her campaign would be driven by grassroots engagement, policy-based governance and a departure from traditional political structures, assuring residents of inclusive leadership.
“I will personally visit every ward. No community will be left behind,” she said.
Political observers say her entry into the race could reshape early permutations ahead of the 2027 election, especially amid growing calls for issue-based campaigns and increased participation of professionals in governance.
However, analysts note that her ambition may face hurdles, 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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