Senator Adeola Yayi’s Governorship Ambition Long-standing, Not Accidental - Public Complaints Commissioner, Akinleye

...Says it's not only fallacious, but also a rude feather-weight political gimmick to say that Senator Adeola Yayi does not originate from Ogun West 

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, a.k.a. Yayi (left), Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, representing Ogun State, Hon. OgoOluwa Morakinyo Akinleye

By SAM POPOOLA, Ota 

The Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, representing Ogun State, Hon. OgoOluwa Morakinyo Akinleye, has described Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi's ambition to govern Ogun State as a long-standing political project, insisting that his aspiration is protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Commissioner stated this during an interview with a team from the League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP), led by Elhadj Abu-Satar Hamed, Convener/National President of LOYAMP, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office at the Federal Secretariat, Abeokuta.

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.

Condemning the statement that Senator Adeola Yayi is not a bonafide son of Ogun West, Akinleye said it's not only fallacious, but it's also a rude feather-weight political gimmick that must be waived aside with no attention.

According to him, Senator Adeola Yayi’s governorship ambition was neither a recent development nor an accidental political project, stressing that his support for the senator was borne out of years of political commitment 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 the senator was rooted in a long-standing relationship and political commitment, adding that his family background had also shaped his understanding of political participation and 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”, he said.

Hon. Akinleye recalled that he grew up in a politically active family and witnessed his father contest elections on several occasions, experiences which, he said, exposed him to the challenges associated with political participation and the quest for effective representation.

He maintained that his involvement in the Yayi political project had remained consistent since its inception.

“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 said.

He also attributed Senator Adeola Yayi’s political trajectory to what he described as divine preparation for a greater assignment, drawing a biblical comparison with Moses.

According to him, Moses was not born in the palace but was trained there, with his experiences eventually preparing him for a greater responsibility.

“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 claims that Senator Adeola Yayi does not originate from the area where he seeks to govern, the Hon. Akinleye described such arguments as misplaced, insisting that constitutional qualification should remain the primary consideration.

“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 noted that Nigerian political history was replete with instances of politicians contesting elections outside areas traditionally regarded as 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 for the governorship, expressing confidence that the political project would ultimately achieve its objective.

“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.