The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has dismissed as baseless the claim by the Ladi Adebutu Democratic Organisation challenging the indigeneship of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, in Ogun State.
The APC, in a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Nuberu Adesanya Olufemi, described the allegation by the spokesperson of LADO, Afolabi Orekoya, as reckless, mischievous, and politically motivated.
Orekoya had reportedly questioned Adeola’s Ogun origin during a radio programme aired on a private FM station in Ilese-Ijebu, describing the senator as a stranger in the state.
Reacting, the APC said the allegation was contrary to facts and constitutional provisions regarding citizenship and eligibility to contest elections in Nigeria.
The party noted that Adeola, who currently represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has both maternal and paternal roots in Ogun State.
According to the statement, “It is surprising that a politician with maternal and paternal roots in Abeokuta and Yewaland respectively, and who is currently representing Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, could be described as a non-indigene in Ogun State.”
The ruling party accused the Peoples Democratic Party of attempting to distract residents from what it described as the growing crisis and disintegration within the opposition party in Ogun State.
The APC claimed that several notable PDP members had already dumped the party for the APC, including former Ogun PDP Chairman, Dr. Sikirulai Ogundele, alongside members of the PDP caucus in the Ogun State House of Assembly.
The statement described the PDP as a sinking party plagued by internal crisis and leadership failure.
The APC also took a swipe at the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, alleging that he abandoned his ancestral base in Iperu to contest election in Odogbolu due to political desperation.
The party further stated that Adebutu was still facing a Federal Government court case linked to alleged vote-buying and money laundering during the 2023 Ogun State governorship election.
“We wait to see how such a candidate, whom the people of Ogun State are keeping at arm’s length because of his poor record, hopes to derive political capital from false and illogical statements targeted at Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola and his candidature,” the statement added.
The APC maintained that the administration Senator Adeola hopes to succeed under Governor Dapo Abiodun had made significant impact through road infrastructure, industrial expansion, and projects such as the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport.
It added that Ogun residents would not return the state to what it described as the “dark days of the PDP era characterised by thuggery, scandals, and politically motivated violence.”
The party stated that Adeola remained a strong contender ahead of the 2027 governorship election due to his grassroots mobilisation, economic blueprint, and constituency projects spread across the state.
The APC concluded that Ogun people would reject what it called the “politics of deception” and instead support continuity, stability, and development in the state.
