ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA — Traditional chiefs in Ogun State have reaffirmed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as a bona fide Egba indigene, pushing back against renewed questions surrounding his ancestral roots as political activity builds ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The clarification comes amid an increasingly heated political conversation over Adeola’s eligibility and indigenous status as he prepares to contest the governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress. Adeola currently represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the Senate and emerged as the APC’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
The senator has consistently maintained that he has maternal roots in Kemta Odusolu Township in Abeokuta and identifies strongly with Egbaland. During a recent visit to the palace of the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Adeola was formally presented to the monarch by his maternal kinsmen from Kemta.
Adeola told the gathering that Abeokuta is his maternal home and said he had maintained close ties with his Egba roots for more than two decades. He described himself as a bona fide son of Egbaland and pledged to prioritise the development of the region if elected governor.
The renewed debate over his background follows criticism from some political groups in Ogun West. In July, Ogun West Concerned Stakeholders questioned Adeola’s claim to indigene status and argued that candidates seeking to govern the state should demonstrate verifiable local roots and community connections.
The group’s position triggered a response from Adeola’s camp and contributed to a wider political debate over identity, ancestry and representation in Ogun State.
Against that backdrop, the assertion by traditional authorities that Adeola has legitimate Egba roots represents an important political development. Supporters of the senator argue that his maternal connection to Kemta provides a clear basis for his identification with Egbaland and counters claims that he is an outsider to the area.
Kemta itself has historical significance within Egbaland. The community is regarded as one of the settlements associated with the formation and development of Abeokuta, giving claims of ancestral ties to the area considerable cultural and political importance.
Adeola’s recent engagements have also demonstrated his effort to strengthen his relationship with traditional and community leaders in Ogun Central. During his visit to the Alake, he highlighted development projects he said he had facilitated across the six local government areas in the senatorial district, including roads, solar streetlights, water projects, scholarships, schools, libraries and health facilities.
He further pledged that, if elected governor, his administration would pursue inclusive development and give Egbaland a prominent place in governance.
The senator’s political campaign has increasingly focused on building support across Ogun’s three senatorial districts. While he represents Ogun West, his maternal connection to Abeokuta gives his campaign an additional political narrative in Ogun Central, where the Egba population is concentrated.
The dispute over Adeola’s ancestry is therefore unfolding alongside a broader contest for political support ahead of 2027. The question of who is regarded as an authentic son or daughter of a particular part of Ogun has become an increasingly visible feature of the emerging governorship race.
For Adeola and his supporters, the backing from traditional authorities offers an opportunity to reinforce his claim to Egba heritage and challenge narratives portraying him as disconnected from the community.
However, the competing claims show that the issue is unlikely to disappear quickly. As the election approaches, questions surrounding ancestry, political representation, development records and alliances with traditional institutions are expected to remain part of the contest.
Adeola’s supporters maintain that his maternal lineage, long-standing relationship with Kemta and recent engagements with Egba traditional authorities provide sufficient evidence of his connection to the area.
With the 2027 election approaching, the reaffirmation of his Egba identity gives the APC candidate another political argument as he seeks to consolidate support across Ogun State. Whether the endorsement will settle the wider controversy over his ancestry, however, remains to be seen as rival political groups continue to scrutinise the backgrounds of those seeking to govern the Gateway State.
