The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, has accused key opposition figures in the state of pursuing personal interests aimed at gaining access to the state’s treasury rather than serving the people.

 

 

Speaking during a meeting with the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes (market leaders) in Remoland at his senatorial office in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, Adeola reacted to claims by former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello that she left the APC after he allegedly failed to fulfil a promise to refund campaign expenses incurred during the party’s governorship consensus process.

 

Describing the alleged demand as “insulting”, Adeola said it reinforced his belief that Obasanjo-Bello’s participation in the 2027 governorship race was motivated by personal financial interests rather than a desire to serve Ogun State.

 

“Their intention is driven by personal interest and not the interest of Ogun State. They don’t mean well for our dear state. They are bitter. They are looking for the state purse,” Adeola said.

 

He added: “One of them said I offended her. She said I reneged on promises. She said she joined the governorship race and failed and wants me to refund her expenses in dollars and naira. Did I ask her to join the governorship race?”

 

The APC flagbearer said he had visited Obasanjo-Bello during consultations with party stakeholders because he believed she was interested in contributing to the development of the state, but later concluded that her interest was driven by personal gain.

 

“Asking me to refund what you spent on your campaign is insulting to me,” he said. “You left the party not because the party wronged you but because you were offered money. You are not a party person. You just want to cash in. You don’t mean well for Ogun State. They are there in their numbers looking for the purse of Ogun State.”

 

Adeola further alleged that after failing to secure what she wanted within the APC, Obasanjo-Bello aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in pursuit of similar personal benefits.

 

He said he would disclose more details at the appropriate time, adding that her public statements had already exposed what he described as her political motives.

 

The senator also commented on the legal challenge to his emergence as the APC governorship candidate, alleging that it was orchestrated by political opponents.

 

According to him, those challenging his candidacy face greater legal obstacles of their own, citing what he described as legal restrictions on politicians who defected from one political party to another after May 10, 2026.

 

“Based on existing legal provisions and court judgments, politicians who defected to another political party after May 10, 2026, are not qualified to contest the forthcoming election,” he said.

 

“We all know when these people left the APC for the PDP. By law, anyone who crossed over after May 10, 2026, is only wasting his or her time. We are waiting for them.”

 

Adeola also questioned the legal standing of the PDP in Ogun State, arguing that the party remained divided by internal disputes.

 

“As things stand, they don’t exist as a party in law. They still have two factions that are in court and no one is recognised. It can go either way in the days ahead,” he said.

 

Earlier, the President of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes in Remoland, Chief (Mrs) Olufunke Oyelaja, pledged the group’s support for Adeola’s governorship ambition.

 

According to Oyelaja, the council was confident that Adeola would advance the welfare of traders and promote economic growth in the state, citing his record of constructing modern markets and empowering market women.