ABEOKUTA– A socio-political group in Ogun state, ‘Yayi Intellectual Forum’ has called on opposition parties to stop politicizing issues surrounding the ancestral lineage of the All Progressive Congress gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Solomon Olamilekan Adeola.
The convener of the group, Hon. Wale Bello while briefing the media in Abeokuta, stated that political parties must ensure campaigns are issue based, rather than dwelling on politically motivated campaign of calumny, which according to him has already been settled.
Bello added that attempts to question Senator Adeola’s roots were not only baseless, but also a reflection of the anxiety among political opponents over his rising acceptance across the State.
He argued that similar controversies had trailed prominent political figures in the state, including former governors; Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel, whose ancestry were eventually established beyond dispute.
“The campaign against Senator Adeola’s ancestry is nothing more than a diversionary tactic by those who are uncomfortable with his growing popularity and acceptance across Ogun State. Rather than engage the people on policies and programmes, they have chosen to politicise his identity,” he said.
Bello further added that traditional institutions in Yewaland and Egbaland had already settled the matter by publicly affirming the senator’s ancestry.
“The Paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle had openly acknowledged Senator Adeola as a son of Yewaland, while the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, traced his lineage to Itta, Igana in Abeokuta.
” The Osile of Oke-Ona Egba had also identified the senator’s ancestral roots as Ijemo, Abeokuta.
“The traditional institutions have spoken clearly. It is not for politicians to dispute the identity of a man whose ancestry has been affirmed by respected traditional rulers and his own people,” he stated.
He therefore urged opposition political parties to shift attention from what he described as unnecessary debates over Senator Adeola’s origin and instead engage the electorate with credible programmes and policy alternatives.
