By Abiodun Taiwo, Abeokuta
An Egba coalition group, Egba Lokan Agenda 2027, said it has not endorsed Solomon Adeola, senator representing Ogun West senatorial district, ahead of the 2027 governorship poll in the state.
On December 29, 2024, Kayode Oladele, a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun state, South-West Nigeria, Kayode Oladele, praised the group for recognising Adeola, better known as Yayi, as one of Egba hopefuls to lead the state.
One of the group’s founding members, Yemi Oke, had said Egba Lokan identified likely aspirants including Yayi; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole; two-term Rep, Hon. Jelili Kayode Amusan; and Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Sarafa Ishola, to lead the state.
In a statement by the Chairman of Egba lokan Agenda 2027, Chief Mustapha Abdulhakeem, the group said Egbaland has no shortage of credible individuals to provide leadership at any level of governments.
Abdulhakeem described Oke’s remarks as misleading, mischievous and a fallacy, 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 candidates,” the statement read.
It added: “This misleading information emanated early last week when a report attributed to our organisation, 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 legitimisation-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 continued: “Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 is clear in its definition, mission, vision, and objective and will never endorse Yayi as Ogun governorship candidate of the state.
“Therefore, we consider Prof. Yemi Oke’s interest purely personal as far as senator Yayi’s ambition is concerned.
“It is even laughable, funny and uncalled for that anyone will certify anybody as ‘Egba indigene,’ under which authority?
“We are also aware that Olu of Ilaro and Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle 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, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo or any other Oba in Egbaland; hence the disclaimer.”
