Akinleye Backs Adeola’s Ogun Governorship Bid, Calls Origin Doubts ‘Fallacious’

ABEOKUTA— The Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission representing Ogun State, Hon. OgoOluwa Morakinyo Akinleye, has described Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola’s aspiration to become governor of Ogun State as a deliberate and long-standing political project, not a recent or incidental pursuit.

Speaking on Friday, August 14, 2026, during a courtesy visit by members of the League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners to his office at the Federal Secretariat, Abeokuta, Akinleye said the ambition of the Senator representing Ogun West was rooted in years of political commitment and experience.

“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowers every qualified Nigerian to contest for any elective office. That is the fundamental principle I believe in,” he said.

Akinleye, a staunch supporter of Senator Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, dismissed arguments questioning the lawmaker’s eligibility and ties to Ogun West. He described claims that the senator is not a bona fide son of the area as “fallacious” and “a rude, feather-weight political gimmick” that should be disregarded.

He said his support for the senator predates the current political cycle.
“For me, supporting Senator Adeola Yayi is not something I started today. He is my brother, and this is my project. It is a commitment that has been nurtured over many years,” Akinleye said.

The commissioner traced his political involvement to his upbringing in an active political household, noting that watching his father contest elections exposed him early to the demands of representation and electoral contests.

Akinleye further linked Senator Adeola’s political trajectory to what he called divine preparation, drawing a parallel with the biblical account of Moses.
“In the same way, I believe that God has been preparing Senator Adeola Yayi for a particular responsibility. His political journey, experiences, struggles and even the opportunities that have come his way are all part of that preparation,” he said.

On the issue of origin, he argued that constitutional qualification should take precedence over identity debates.
“Absolutely, it is a fallacy to use such an argument to deny him the right to aspire. In politics, questions of origin and identity are often raised, but what is most important is the constitutional right of a Nigerian to aspire to elective office, provided he meets the requirements of the law,” he said.

He cited Nigeria’s political history, in which candidates have successfully contested outside areas traditionally regarded as their strongholds, as evidence that such contests are not unusual.

Akinleye expressed confidence in the senator’s capacity to govern, citing his experience and commitment.
“For me, the most important thing is that Senator Adeola Yayi has demonstrated the capacity, experience and commitment required for the responsibility he seeks. We have supported this project for many years, and we will continue to do so,” he said.

He concluded that he remained optimistic about the outcome of the project.