Video evidence has emerged showing that the Ogun State caucus of the National Forum of Former Legislators indeed endorsed the Ogun West senator, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for the 2027 governorship election, despite a public denial by former Ogun Central senator, Gbenga Obadara.
Authoritative sources within the forum confirmed that the endorsement was reached during a gathering held on Saturday at the NAF Conference Centre, Kado, Abuja.
The meeting took place shortly after the national body of former lawmakers endorsed Tinubu for a second term ahead of the 2027 presidential election. According to the sources, the Ogun caucus took a separate but clear position in support of the Ogun West senator.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the meeting, Hon. Abiodun Abudu Balogun openly declared the backing of the former lawmakers for Adeola’s governorship aspiration.
A video from the event showed several past lawmakers from Ogun State present at the venue, including former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Titi Oseni, lending weight to claims that the endorsement indeed took place.
Sources described Obadara’s denial as inconsistent with the events at the venue, noting that the public statement and video evidence from the meeting contradicted claims that no such endorsement occurred.
An authoritative source urged residents of the state to treat the former senator’s opposing view with caution, insisting that the caucus’s position was clearly stated and agreed upon.
The Ogun caucus of the forum had earlier expressed strong support for Adeola, who is the Aremo of Yewaland and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation.
They cited his statewide development projects, legislative experience, political pedigree, and welfare interventions as reasons for their decision.
In a joint position, members of the caucus stated, “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. We call on him to publicly declare his ambition so that mobilisation can begin in earnest.”
However, Obadara, who represented Ogun Central Senatorial District between 2011 and 2015, denied any knowledge of such endorsement in a message circulated on a WhatsApp platform.
He said he was surprised by reports of the endorsement, stressing that the summit held in Abuja did not include discussions on Ogun governorship or endorsements beyond support for Tinubu’s second term.
“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.”
Despite the denial, sources within the forum insisted that the Ogun caucus’s endorsement of Adeola remained intact, describing it as a collective decision that reflected the views of former lawmakers from the state ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
