The battle for Ogun's Government House is intensifying, with Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola's indigeneship becoming a major issue. Opponents challenge his Ogun roots, daring him to prove his ancestry in court. Adeola has rejected the allegations as false and libellous. The controversy has escalated into an open political confrontation, with the People's Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, challenging Adeola to sue him over the allegation.
Adeola had issued a September 15 ultimatum to suspended APC member Abayomi Hunye and PDP chieftain Folake Marcus-Bello to produce evidence for their claims that he is an indigene of Ekiti State or face legal action. Adeola's media aide described the allegations as false and defamatory. Hunye insisted he had documentary evidence to support his position, while Marcus-Bello maintained her stance.
Adeola's stepmother, Alhaja Aminatu Abiola, has publicly attested to his ancestry, stating that neither Adeola's father nor his biological mother was from Ekiti. According to her, Adeola's father was buried in Lagos, contradicting the claim that he was buried in Ekiti. She said Adeola's mother was from Ogun, specifically Abeokuta, and that his maternal roots were in Abeokuta.
The controversy coincides with the Yewa aspiration for the governorship, as Ogun West has not produced a governor since the state's creation in 1976. Adeola's candidacy is closely linked to the Yewa project, and his opponents argue that he cannot credibly present himself as the candidate for an area that has spent decades demanding its turn at the state's top political office.
Traditional authorities in Kemta have publicly described Adeola as an indigene of Egbaland, supporting his Ogun ancestry. Adeola has also maintained that his paternal lineage is connected to Ago-Ishaga/Pahayi in Ilaro. His opponents, however, point to his political history in Lagos, where he served in the Lagos State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate.
The current dispute raises questions about the constitutional requirements for governorship eligibility. Section 177 of the 1999 Constitution lists qualifications such as Nigerian citizenship by birth, attainment of 35 years, membership and sponsorship by a political party, and education to at least School Certificate level. It does not expressly list "indigene of the state" as a separate qualification.
A court will ultimately determine the effect of any evidence presented in a properly constituted case. Adeola's decision to issue a 24-hour ultimatum indicates that he is prepared to take the matter to court. The competing claims have yet to be resolved by a judicial determination establishing whether Adeola is an Ogun indigene.
Key points
- The Ogun governorship race has become increasingly contentious, with Senator Solomon Adeola's indigeneship being questioned by opponents.
- Adeola's ancestry has become a major issue in the 2027 succession struggle, with implications for the Yewa aspiration for the governorship.
- The controversy raises questions about the constitutional requirements for governorship eligibility in Nigeria.
