Senator Adeola Yayi’s Governorship Ambition Long-Standing, Not Accidental – Akinleye

…Says Claim That Yayi Does Not Originate From Ogun West Is “Fallacious and a Rude, Feather-Weight Political Gimmick”

The Federal Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), representing Ogun State, Hon. OgoOluwa Morakinyo Akinleye, has described the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as a long-standing political project rather than a recent or accidental development.

Akinleye, a strong supporter of the Senator representing Ogun West in the National Assembly, also maintained that Senator Adeola’s aspiration to govern Ogun State is constitutionally protected, stressing that every qualified Nigerian has the right to contest for elective office.

The Commissioner stated this during an interview with a team from the League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP), who paid him a courtesy visit at his office at the Federal Secretariat, Abeokuta, on Friday, August 14, 2026.

He also dismissed arguments questioning Senator Adeola Yayi’s eligibility and connection to Ogun West, describing the claim 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.

According to Akinleye, Senator Adeola Yayi’s ambition to become Governor of Ogun State did not emerge suddenly, but has been nurtured over several years through political commitment, experience and personal conviction.

“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.

He explained that his support for Senator Adeola was based on a relationship and political commitment that had developed over the years, adding that his family background had also influenced his understanding of political participation and effective representation.

“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 Ogun State representative on the Public Complaints Commission recalled growing up in a politically active family, noting that he witnessed his father contest elections on several occasions.

He said those experiences exposed him early to the challenges of political participation, electoral contests and the quest for effective representation.

Akinleye maintained that his involvement in the Yayi political project had remained consistent since its inception and vowed to continue supporting the Senator’s aspiration.

“My support for Senator Adeola Yayi is not accidental. It is a project that I have embraced deliberately, and since we started, I have never relented. I cannot relent”, he stated.

The PCC Commissioner also attributed Senator Adeola Yayi’s political trajectory to what he described as divine preparation for a greater responsibility.

Drawing a biblical parallel with the life of Moses, Akinleye noted that Moses was not born in the palace but was trained there, with his experiences ultimately preparing him for a greater assignment.

“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.

Reacting specifically to claims that Senator Adeola Yayi does not originate from Ogun West, Akinleye described the argument as misplaced and insisted that constitutional qualification should remain the primary consideration in determining who can contest for elective office.

“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 which is clearly stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution”, he said.

The Ogun State PCC boss further pointed to Nigeria’s political history, noting that there have been numerous instances where politicians contested and won elections outside areas that some people initially considered their exclusive political strongholds.

“There have been many instances in Nigerian politics where people have contested and won outside places that some people initially regarded as their exclusive political strongholds. That is normal in politics”, he added.

Akinleye said Senator Adeola Yayi had, over the years, demonstrated the capacity, experience and commitment required to occupy the governorship of Ogun State.

He expressed confidence in the success of the political project, assuring that supporters would remain committed to the aspiration.

“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.

“I believe that the opportunity before us is significant, and I remain confident that, by the grace of God, the project will achieve its desired objective”, he said.