The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Ogun State House of Assembly, Abeokuta South Constituency 2, Hon. Adeoye Adewale Adeniran, popularly known as A3, has said the people of Ogun State are not opposed to the aspiration of the Yewa-Awori people to produce the next governor of the state, but would resist what he described as the emergence of a “non-indigene with identity crisis or a proxy sent from Lagos.”
Adeoye made the remarks while reacting to the recent reaffirmation of support for Ogun West to produce the next governor by the Olota of Ota, Oba Abdulkabir Adeyemi Obalanlege, during a visit by the PDP governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, to the monarch and other Awori traditional rulers.
According to A3, the agitation for power rotation to Ogun West is legitimate.
“Truly, as a Yewa indigene, I believe it is right for Ogun West to produce the next governor of Ogun State. But we cannot, because of that legitimate aspiration, allow a non-indigene or a proxy from Lagos to lead us. If we do, we will all regret it,” he said.
The PDP chieftain stressed that the issue should not be reduced to an ethnic contest, arguing that what should matter to the people is the identity, credibility, competence and genuine connection of whoever seeks to govern the state.
Adeoye further said that leadership must be built on truth and transparency, declaring that anyone who could not be trusted to tell the truth about “little things” should not be entrusted with the responsibility of governing the state.
According to him the PDP governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, as a trusted man with integrity, honesty and proven indigenous identity at this time is the best to govern the state.
He also said he was not surprised by the reported clarification from the Onilogbo of Ilogbo, Oba Dr. Samuel Olufemi Ojugbele, JP, who reportedly distanced himself from any interpretation suggesting that traditional rulers had collectively endorsed a particular political candidate.
According to the monarch’s position, traditional rulers have only one vote each, while the ultimate decision belongs to the people. He was also quoted as saying that the voices, choices and aspirations of the masses must be respected and heard, adding that only God can crown a mortal.
Adeoye said the clarification reinforced the importance of allowing citizens to freely determine who governs them rather than presenting the position of individual traditional rulers as a collective endorsement.
He further pointed to expressions of support for Adebutu among Egba communities in Sango, Ijoko and Ota, saying such developments demonstrated that political choices in Ogun could not be reduced to the position of one traditional institution or one geographical axis.
The controversy also reportedly prompted the Palace of the Olofin Adimula Oodua of Ado-Odo, Oba Olusola Idris Osolo Adebowale Otenibotemole II, to distance itself from the position attributed to the Palace of the Olota of Ota in connection with an “Awori Obas Forum.”
In its clarification, the palace said the visit to the Olota should not be interpreted as representing all Awori traditional rulers in Ogun State and could not be taken as the position of all Awori traditional rulers in the state.
It further stated that there is presently no legally recognised Awori Traditional Council or Awori Council of Obas in Ogun State with statutory authority to confer on an individual monarch the mandate to speak on behalf of all Awori traditional rulers across the state.
The Olofin’s palace also reportedly maintained that the Olofin of Ado-Odo occupies a distinct and historically established traditional position within Ado-Odo/Awori land and should not be subsumed under a purported Awori Obas Forum without statutory recognition.
Reacting to the development, Adeoye argued that the ongoing debate should ultimately be settled by the electorates.
He said Ogun people deserved a governor who was genuinely connected to the state, understood its challenges and could be held accountable by its citizens.
The PDP candidate also criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the party of failing to adequately address the economic and social challenges confronting residents.
“The APC has nothing to offer Ogun State people aside from the usual poverty, hunger, suffering, insecurity and deceit,” Adeniran alleged. “They cannot continue to create crises and pretend to be the solution to the challenges they are creating.”
As he seeks election to the Ogun State House of Assembly to represent Abeokuta South Constituency 2, Hon. Adeoye Adewale Adeniran, popularly known as A3, is presenting himself as a voice for accountable representation, pragmatic legislation and people-centred development. His campaign is built around the conviction that the people deserve a representative who will not only speak for them but also remain accessible, responsive and committed to their interests. A3 has promised to bring fresh energy, constructive advocacy and effective representation to the Assembly, with particular attention to issues affecting the everyday lives, economic opportunities and future of constituents.
He called on residents across the three senatorial districts to look beyond ethnic and sectional considerations and examine the antecedents, identity, credibility and capacity of Honourable Oladipupo Adebutu as the right man for the job before making their choice at the polls.
