We haven’t adopted Solomon Adeola for Ogun guber, says Egba group

Egba Lokan Agenda 2027, a coalition, says it has not endorsed Solomon Adeola, senator representing Ogun west district, ahead of the next governorship poll.

On December 29, Kayode Oladele, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun, praised the group for recognising Adeola, better known as Yayi, as one of Egba hopefuls to lead the state.

Yemi Oke, one of the group’s founding members, had said Egba Lokan identified likely aspirants including Yayi, Dimeji Bankole, former speaker of the house of representatives; and Sarafa Ishola, former Nigeria high commissioner to the UK; to lead the state.

In a statement on Monday, Mustapha Abdulhakeem, chairman of Egba Agenda 2027, said Egba-land has no shortage of credible individuals to provide leadership at any level of government.

Abdulhakeem described Oke’s remarks as misleading, adding that Egba does not need “to hire anyone to provide leadership at the intra-national level”.

“The Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 has regrettably found itself in an unfortunate controversy surrounding a publication claiming it has adopted Senator Adeola Olamilekan YAYI, currently representing Ogun West at the Senate, as one of the Egba hopefuls for the 2027 Ogun governorship,” the statement reads.

“This misleading information emanated early last week when a report attributed to our organization, purportedly issued by Professor Yemi Oke, one of the founding members of the Egba Lokan Agenda 2027, surfaced online.

“Recognizing his intention to detribalize our movement, we strategically chose not to dignify some of the claims with a response, thereby denying it the traction it sought.

“However, our attention has now been drawn to a news article referencing Prof. Yemi Oke’s report as a basis to curry cheap political advantage for the legitimization-seeking ambition of Senator YAYI to rule Ogun State in 2027.

“Therefore, the Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 is compelled to write a rejoinder to set the record straight, especially for the unsuspecting public who may be misled by these desperate politicians and actors.”

The statement added that Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 is clear in its definition, vision, and objective. 

“Therefore, we consider Prof. Yemi Oke’s interest purely personal as far as senator Yayi’s ambition is concerned,” the statement adds. 

“It is even laughable that anyone will certify anybody as Egba indigene. Under which authority?

“We are also aware that the Olu of Ilaro had stated that the senator representing Ogun west is their son but we are yet to hear the same pronouncement from the ALAKE and paramount ruler of Egbaland or any other Oba in Egbaland hence the disclaimer.”