The Governor’s Liaison Officer in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Wale Bello, has asked the opposition in the state to focus on campaigns instead of “birth and origin” debates.
Recall that the opposition party in the state had questioned Yayi’s origin and urged residents to reject the imposition of governorship candidates from outside the state ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during a press conference held at the NUJ Secretariat in Abeokuta on Monday, Bello dismissed claims that the APC governorship candidate, Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, is not an indigene of Ogun State.
He described the narrative as a ploy by a jittery opposition ahead of 2027, arguing that the opposition is “afraid of the masses who have decided to cast their votes for him” and “afraid of his growing popularity.”
“Shut up your mouth. Who are you to say Yayi is not from Ogun State or an indigene? Enough is enough. We are here; they should shut up their mouths,” he said.
Bello, who doubles as the convener of the Intellectual Forum, argued that rather than engaging in divisive politics, political actors should focus on issues that would advance the development of the state.
He noted that similar allegations were made against former governors Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel before they eventually gained public acceptance as bona fide indigenes of the state.
According to him, Osoba was once accused of not being an Egba indigene before it was established that he hailed from Ago-Iwoye in Egbaland, while Daniel also faced claims that he was from Delta State, allegations he said were later dismissed.
“All the monarchs in Yewaland unanimously declared that Senator Yayi is one of them. Who are we to dispute that?” he asked.
“We are here today to tell the opposition to embark on campaigns. We are not bothered about them. They should stop saying that Yayi is not from Ogun State. Yayi is not only from Yewaland; he’s also one of us in Egbaland.
“What I expect the opposition to do is to point to at least one-tenth of the projects he has executed instead of questioning where he comes from. Let us meet at the polls. Let the electorate decide. The people of Ogun State will determine who governs the state,” Bello added.
Shut up, who are you to question Yayi’s indigenship – Abiodun’s aide asks opposition