Gbegudu Ololade James
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Gbegudu Ololade James is a Nigerian politician who contested the 2023 State Houses of Assembly Elections as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Ondo.
Biography
Gbegudu Ololade James is a Nigerian politician who serves as the Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly. He represents Okitipupa Constituency II in Ondo State.
He was born in Igodan Lisa, in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, Nigeria, into the family of Elder Adeyinka Gbegudu and Mrs. Boladele Gbegudu. He began his early education at St. Theresa’s Primary School in Akure.
He proceeded to Unity Secondary School, Ode-Aye, and later attended Ife Grammar School, Ile-Ife, Osun State. He obtained his tertiary education at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
Gbegudu is a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly representing Okitipupa Constituency II in Ondo State. He is affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He was first elected to the Ondo State House of Assembly in October 2019 following a judicial process.
During his tenure, he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Security, Culture, Tourism, Community Development, and Cooperative Services, where he participated in legislative oversight and deliberations on matters relating to security and community development.
On July 3, 2025, he was elected Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly following a leadership reorganisation within the legislature.
While serving as committee chairman, Gbegudu contributed to the development and passage of several key legislations, including: Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) Law, Ondo State Security Trust Fund Law, Ondo State Anti-Grazing Law, State Road Trust Fund Law, and Rural Access Road Authority Law.
Party Positions
Policy positions from the All Progressives Congress (APC) party manifesto.
Agriculture
Launches the Irrigate Nigeria Project as a public-private partnership to develop small-scale irrigation and water catchment systems using modern technology to boost agricultural productivity.
Security & Defense
Will deploy modern aerial surveillance and advanced technology to monitor and deter intrusions into oil pipelines, power stations, and other critical national infrastructure in real time.
Environment & Climate
Accelerates the environmental cleanup and re-establishment of fisheries and profitable aquacultural activities in the Niger-Delta region to counter violent extremism and poverty-driven disaffection.
Economy & Trade
Will implement the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and additional favorable policies to attract investment in deep-water assets within 6 months, including encouraging signature bonus negotiations and royalty reliefs.
Infrastructure
Creates regional industrial hubs in specific zones (North West, North East, South East, South South, South West, North Central) to focus on labor-intensive manufacturing, with tailored investments (e.g., textiles, dry ports, glass, pottery, solid minerals, regulated mining).
Enterprise grant support
Work with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to simplify loan processes for commercial banks, mandate federally owned banks to provide low-cost loans to youth-led enterprises, and expand business incubation centers to support youth innovation.
Energy
Will mandate gas metering equipment on all facilities where gas flaring occurs within 6 months and establish a special enforcement unit to monitor compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) on gas flaring reduction, with non-compliance leading to financial penalties for affected communities.
Governance & Reform
Reserve at least 3 cabinet positions for individuals under 40 and 6 more positions for members under the age of 40, and mandate that at least 20% of political appointments to Ministries/Dangomas (MDAs) be reserved for individuals under 40.
Education
Raises the priority of addressing out-of-school children, establishes a task force to review and strengthen programs like school feeding, and aims to reduce disaffected youth recruitment by violent groups.
Healthcare
Will establish a network of upgraded, equipped, and staffed general hospitals in every Local Government Area, tertiary facilities in each State, and world-class specialist hospitals in each geo-political zone to improve healthcare accessibility and quality.
Technology & Digital
Supports the development of MSMEs through partnerships with fintech players to expand access to capital and business development services.
Reliefs and scholarships
Commits to a conditional income support program requiring recipients to meet human capital goals (school attendance, healthcare, nutrition) in exchange for payments.
Other Candidates in Ondo
Adeniyi Oke
APPOjubuyi Ilemobayo Accurate Edward
AAAkinyemi Olagoke Jacob
AAAdurewa Vincent Kayode
AAJayeola Sunday Israel
AAOjo John Olorunfemi
AABrowse
Sources
Bio, Photo, State of Origin: Wikipedia ↗