By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
Facts have emerged that the Senator Representing Ogun West Senatorial District in the 10th Senate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola has of truth been endorsed by the Ogun State caucus of former lawmakers for the governorship seat of the state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
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The endorsement decision was taken at the NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja, on Saturday, some minutes after a similar step was taken concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL), which backed the President for a second term in 2027.
A trending video seen by The Daily Crucible on Sunday shows the Ogun State Coordinator of the NFFL, Hon. Abiodun Abudu- Balogun, speaking to reporters about the endorsement of Senator Adeola, popularly called YAYI, for 2027 governorship.
The video evidence gravely punctured and degraded Senator Gbenga Obadara’s position that there was no such endorsement or any meeting to that effect yesterday, prompting an authoritative source to counsel indigenes and residents of the state not to take the ex – Ogun Central Senator’s opposing views with seriousness.
In the video pertaining to the said endorsement, some past lawmakers from the Gateway State, including former Speaker Titi Oseni, could be seen at the background where Abudu – Balogun was speaking to newsmen.
The Daily Crucible reports that the Ogun State members of the Forum had earlier declared their strong support for the Aremo of Yewaland who is also the Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriation ahead of the 2027 governorship race in the state.
They cited the Senator’s statewide development initiatives, rich political antecedents, vast legislative experience and welfarism as reasons for the support and endorsement.
“The Ogun state caucus of the National Forum of Former Legislators hereby declare absolute support for and commitment to the governorship aspiration of the current Ogun West Senator and do hereby call on him to publicly declare his governorship ambition to enable us and other well wishers begin a massive mobilisation drive for him,” they stated.
However, a short statement by Senator Gbenga Obadara(2011 – 2015, denied any knowledge of the endorsement by the Ogun caucus of the NFFL.
The Obadara’s message believed to have been sent to a WhatsApp group, reads in full: “It is with a great surprise that I read the above on this platform and clarifications has to be made because of numerous calls and messages I have received on it and because I was physically present at the summit.
“In everything there must be decency, respect and ethos to follow without which one will lose his dignity and self respect.
“In the first instance there was no meeting in Abuja that involved any Ogun Senators where the issue of Ogun Governorship or Ogun West came up to talk less of any endorsement other than the need for South to complete the 8 years governance and President Bola Ahmed TINUBU GCFR be supported for his second term.
“it is very infantile, very disrespectful and unreasonable to bring up issue not discussed as the affirmation of every former Ogun National Legislators that attended the summit in Abuja, this is not acceptable as it never happened.
” As Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members we must be alive to our responsibilities and avoid any fabrications that can affect our unity.
“After the summit I made those that came to tell me of this intention to realise that it is not a place and venue to bring that up and it’s ill timed.
“There is no harm in supporting anybody as it is individuals fundamental right but there must be caution, decency, decorum and the purpose for this summit is not for that.
“And to everyone let us exercise patience and continue to work on our interests as the rule of the game dictates. I feel that is the better way to sell our candidates.
“It should on record that NO ONE is against his candidacy but the right process has to be followed with decency.”
