Re: Questioning Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi’s Intention And Eligibility To Contest Ogun Governorship Seat: Stop Tribal Bigotry Now

Of recent the social media space has been awash with opprobrium and vituperation, of few disgruntled political bigots and their sponsored cohorts, about the place of origin of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, aka Yayi.
In their conjecture and erroneous opinions, it is been concocted that Yayi is an imported politician to Ogun State.

I would therefore not want to just discard their subjunctive sentiment with a wave of hand, instead, I would prefer to take us through the eligibility of Yayi to contest for the governorship position, in Ogun State, by looking critically into what the law stipulates despite satisfying the indigineship criterion.

According to section 177 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a person is eligible for election as governor if:
1. If he/she is a citizen of Nigeria
2. Has attained 35 years of age
3. Is a member of a registered political party and sponsored by the party.
4. Has been educated up to school certificate level or its equivalent.

From the above provisions and set criteria as contained in the Nigerian Constitution, it is crystal clear that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) is very much eligible, fit and qualify to contest for Governorship seat in Ogun State, if sponsored by a registered political party of his choice. Nothing, i repeat, nothing, in the Constitution of Nigeria hinders him or prevents him from contesting the gubernatorial position if he deems it appropriate, desirable and of interest to him.

Albeit, the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) does not explicitly state that a Gubernatorial candidate must be born within the geographical landscape of the state that he wishes to govern nor does it states that, he must be an indigene of a place within the state.

Notwithstanding the clarification and unrestrictive focal points which provide clean bill of health to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Yayi, who has come out publicly and on many occasions clarified and established unequivocally the truth and validity of his indigineship, that he hails from Ogun State and specifically, Ogun West Senatorial District.

He has practically and physically demonstrated this position by referencing and visiting his paternal ancestral home in Agosasa- Pahayi in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State as well as his maternal lineage in Kemta-Odutolu area of Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Egbaland.

Also, his family members have affirmed his claims and subsequently warned detractors to stop the falsehood and cheap blackmail.
It is noteworthy that, notable traditional rulers, such as, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and the Paramount ruler of Yewa land and a host of other eminent Yewa Sons and daughters, have attested to the indigenization of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi whom they often describe as their illustrious son. What other proofs are being required by these political detractors and their cyber agents?

Unfortunately, many of the cyber critics of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) have not been able to come up with other reasons why the Distinguished Senator is not eligible or fit to contest for the Governorship seat in Ogun state beside the indigenization hullabaloo. They have deliberately neglected to ponder and look into more positive and germane stuffs that Yayi is endowed with and that make him stand out amongst other willing gubernatorial aspirants.

Without sounding immodest nor at the risk of being a psychophant, for anybody that knows Yayi very well, he is gifted and imbued with quality representation, agility, capacity building, wide influence, high political dexterity, sagacity, intrinsic love for the people especially the downtrodden, hi-tech spirit for service to humanity and insatiable urge to improve the well being of the people of Ogun State, all of which have earned him tremendous accolades as populist advocate of the masses .

Curiously and comically too, the gladiators come up with mundane issue common with political jobbers, with the single purpose and objective to corrupt the minds of the people as well as bastardize the conscience of the electorate with the lone intention to dissuade them from giving their support and votes to their targeted victim, in this case Yayi.

Their ploy of using tribal bigotry can only succeed minimally among few susceptible and unsuspected voters in Ogun State, whereas for a fact, Ogun State electorate are classified, conscious, smart and very literate.

For anybody that is familiar with the shenanigans and antics of political gladiators, it will not be strange nor novel that Yayi’s place of origin is made to appear controversial and under scrutiny.

The reasons are not far fetched.
First, all the known gubernatorial aspirants in Ogun State, particularly in APC, fear Yayi’s popularity, acceptability and enigmatic figure. They also know that Yayi is the only man to beat.
Similarly, the political track record and stature of Yayi remains unparalleled, compared to any of the gubernatorial aspirants.

It is a common knowledge that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola is spending over two decades in the legislature both at state and national levels. Having spent eight ( 8) years in the House of Assembly in Lagos, four (4) years in the House of Representatives and almost twelve (12) years in the Senate representing Lagos West and Ogun West.

Another reason for their conspiracy theory is borne out of the unprecedented achievements that Yayi is noted for while in these saddles. Yayi is an exceptionally forthright and a conscientious politician who puts people welfare, wellbeing and development first before self. This distinct sterling qualities make him stand tall amongst other contenders, hence, their unholy plot, (apapo-eleye).

The fear of Yayi has made the gladiators to fly the kite and spread falsehood that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would retain and restrict Yayi’s ambition to the Senate Chamber, claiming and adducing to the concoction that if Yayi should be allowed to come and contest the governorship position in Ogun State, his exit, shall create a big vacuum. They said that Yayi is a rallying point in the Senate and an expert in Budget appropriation, on which the Nation’s economy rest. Hence, Yayi will not join the Gubernatorial race. This thought and game plan sparks defeatist tendency arising from inferiority complex of Governorship aspirants in Ogun State.

This game plan of the gladiators has even betrayed their sense of reasoning, as it goes to manifest and strengthen the capacity and equanimity in Yayi. It is the more reason why Yayi is needed to contest the governorship seat in Ogun State so that he could deploy his experience, use his magic wand and midas touch to make live meaningful for the Ogun State people.

Ogun State and the electorate are not robots nor gullible people who can not discern what they want and who could alleviate their sufferings. The political calumny of the gladiators can never sway or dissuade the electorate from voting massively for Yayi. This is because, Yayi has displayed love, passion and concern for Ogun State people. He never limited his kind gestures to Ogun West. Thousands of people in Ogun Central and Ogun East have benefitted from his largesse and goodwill, market women and students inclusive.

Gone are the days when indigeneity was a factor during election. This is apt to the saying that, eniti o ba ngbe omo, ni omo ma nmo Oju e ( a child is always fond of the caregiver). Yayi has shown, beyond any reasonable doubt that, he is pro-people and that their development and conveniences are his priorities. That is the intention of Yayi to contest and ensure implementation. Ofcourse, this a patriotism at its peak.

It is sheer absurdity and very unthinkable for anyone to refer to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as an opportunist. This statement can also be regarded as credulous. It is thoughtless for anyone to be crying after spill-milk. That Yayi is currently the representative of Ogun West in the Senate, goes to show that the Ogun West People had spoken, over three years ago, that Yayi is unequivocally their own and a son of the soil.

What goes on in the hearts and mouths of the overwhelming sons and daughters of Ogun West is that Yayi should become the next Governor of Ogun. This is because Ogun West people, home and abroad, have witnessed unprecedented social and economic developments with their mandate wilfully given to Yayi in 2023.

They also feel that fifty (50) years of marginalization of Ogun West from cliching the Governorship seat of Ogun State is enough awaiting period, thereby calling for equity and justice to be done for them.

In sum, i am confident that should Yayi declare his interest in the gubernatorial race of Ogun State, any moment soon, he will be voted in massively by the majority of the electorate who aspire to have a servant-leader, humane, approachable, focused, directional, charismatic and futuristic leader that will better their lots and Ogun State in general.

Except for the naivety of the gladiators, they should have realized that no amount of blackmail and antagonism will distract the poor masses from voting for Yayi overwhelmingly.

It could be recalled that His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the former Governor of Ogun State and His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, at one time or the other, had bathed in the indigeneity saga whilst they were contesting for governorship seats in their respective states, but alas, all of them won the governorship contests in their states.

Without claiming to be a Prophet or Soothsayer, I can certainly predict and foretell that nothing would stop or hinder Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, Yayi, from contesting the Governorship seat come February, 2027, he would also win the contest by landslide victory and be sworn in as the Executive Governor of Ogun State in May 29, 2027 by the grace of God.

Comrade Niyi-Osoba, Ph.D, JP.
A public affairs analyst and APC Chieftain in Ogun State.
27/02/2026