By Our Reporter
The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), has lashed out at opposition politicians, accusing them of pursuing personal financial interests rather than the development of the state.
Speaking during a meeting with the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes (Market Leaders) in Remoland at his senatorial office in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, Adeola dismissed claims by former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello that he reneged on an alleged promise to refund her campaign expenses after emerging as the APC consensus governorship candidate.
The senator described the demand for reimbursement as “insulting,” insisting it exposed what he alleged was the real motive behind some politicians’ interest in the 2027 Ogun governorship race.
“Their intention is driven by personal interest and not the interest of Ogun State. Their intention is clear. They don’t mean well for our dear state. They are bitter. They are looking for the state purse. One of them said I offended her. She said I reneged on promises. She said she joined the governorship race and failed and want me to refund her expenses. That I should refund her dollars and naira. Did I ask her to join the governorship race?” Senator Adeola queried.
Adeola explained that he had approached Obasanjo-Bello during his consultations and reconciliation efforts within the APC because he regarded her as a respected Ogun indigene interested in serving the state. According to him, he later discovered that her ambition was driven by personal gain rather than public service.
“Asking me to refund you or payback what you have expended on this electioneering campaign is insulting to me. Now you left the party. You left the party not because the party have wronged you. You left the party because you were offered money. You are not a party person. You just want to cash in. And you are being paid. You don’t mean well for Ogun State. They are there in their numbers looking for the purse of Ogun State.”
The APC standard-bearer further alleged that after failing to secure what she wanted from him and the APC, Obasanjo-Bello aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in pursuit of similar personal interests. He added that the time would come for him to reveal more details, maintaining that her own public statements had already exposed what he described as political dishonesty.
Adeola also dismissed the legal challenge against his emergence as the APC governorship candidate, alleging that it was sponsored by the same political opponents.
He maintained that those challenging his candidacy face more serious legal obstacles of their own.
“Based on existing legal provisions and court judgments, politicians who defected to another political party after May 10, 2026, are not qualified to contest the forthcoming election. We all know when these people left the APC for the PDP. By law, anyone who crossed over after May 10, 2026, is only wasting his or her time. We are waiting for them.”
The senator also questioned the legal standing of the PDP in Ogun State, arguing that the party remains embroiled in unresolved leadership disputes.
“I made bold to say they don’t exist for now. They still have two factions that are still in court and no one is recognized. It can go either way in the days ahead.”
Earlier, the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes in Remoland, led by its President, Chief (Mrs.) Olufunke Oyelaja, declared its support for Adeola’s governorship ambition. The market leaders expressed confidence in his capacity to improve the welfare of traders and stimulate economic growth, citing his record of constructing ultra-modern markets and empowering thousands of market women across Ogun State.
The Daily Crucible reports that Professor Iyabo Obasanjo, who is now back in the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) and flies its Ogun Central Senatorial ticket, had while leaving the APC, cited among other things, disrespect, maltreatment and reneging on promised made, particularly by Senator Adeola as reasons for quitting the ruling party.
Senator Obasanjo had at the time disclosed that the APC governorship candidate called her to appreciate her support and later visited her.
She recalled that during the meeting, her supporters presented three requests to Adeola and asked him to indicate whether he would address them.
However, the United States – based don expressed disappointment that months after the meeting, the requests had not received any response.
The Epidemiologist said the silence reinforced what she described as a pattern of disrespect and rejection she had experienced since joining the APC.
She stated that despite her efforts in mobilising grassroots support for the party across Ogun Central and other parts of the state, her contributions had not been recognised.
“Based on my conviction that party unity is important, I wrote my letter accepting the party’s consensus candidate that night even with the flawed process,” she said.
She added that after Adeola’s visit, he had promised to respond to the requests made by her supporters within a week but had failed to do so.
“This is just part of the general treatment I have received from the APC of disrespect and rejection, as if I was not there making contributions that increased support for the party in Ogun Central and across the state,” she stated.
Invoking the saying that “when disrespect is the only dish served, one should leave the table,” Obasanjo announced her decision to leave the ruling party.
“I am therefore leaving the APC table where I am not welcome. This is my resignation from the party,” she declared.
