Comrade Niyi-Osoba, Ph.D., has attributed what he described as attacks against Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, to the senator’s growing political profile and ambition to become governor of Ogun State in the 2027 election.

In a statement titled “Yayi’s Intimidating Profile: The Cause of Vindictive Attacks,” Niyi-Osoba said he had reviewed a number of commentaries and social media materials questioning Adeola’s ancestry, political support base and emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 Ogun governorship election.

He specifically referenced publications by Wale Adedayo, Gateway Mouthpiece, Otito Oro Koro and Ogun People’s Forum, as well as video commentaries by Adedeji Adetunji Akeem and Lady Funmilayo.

According to him, the criticisms have centred on Adeola’s ancestry, the argument that Ogun should be governed by an indigene, alleged bias in the APC nomination process, purported divisions among APC leaders and claims that support for the senator is transactional.

Niyi-Osoba, however, dismissed the criticisms as politically motivated, arguing that some of the commentators had openly expressed support for Adeola’s political opponents.

Adeola is currently the senator representing Ogun West and has emerged as the APC’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election. The party initially endorsed him as its consensus candidate in April 2026, with Governor Dapo Abiodun citing the longstanding absence of an Ogun West governor as one reason for the choice.  

The APC subsequently reaffirmed Adeola as its recognised governorship candidate in August 2026. According to the party, he secured 304,055 votes from 305,287 accredited voters at the governorship primary.  

On the controversy surrounding Adeola’s ancestry, Niyi-Osoba maintained that the senator has ancestral links to Pahayi-Ishaga in Yewa South Local Government Area and argued that questions about his eligibility to seek the governorship should be laid to rest.

He cited alleged endorsements and statements by traditional rulers in Yewaland in support of that position. Adeola has also publicly presented his background as having ancestral roots in Ilaro, while his campaign profile records that he was born in Lagos and raised in Alimosho.  

Niyi-Osoba further argued that Adeola’s record in public office should form a major part of the debate ahead of the 2027 election. He listed the senator’s legislative experience, political network, philanthropy, constituency projects and empowerment initiatives among the factors he believes distinguish him from other contenders.

Adeola has served in the Lagos State House of Assembly, the House of Representatives and the Senate. He represented Lagos West in the Senate before becoming senator for Ogun West in 2023.  

The senator’s supporters have also pointed to various interventions across Ogun State. In May, a diaspora support group endorsed his governorship bid, citing infrastructure, skills acquisition, youth empowerment and economic support programmes. Ogun teachers later announced their support for his candidacy, citing his interventions in the education sector.  

Niyi-Osoba rejected claims that such support was merely “transactional”, arguing that Adeola’s supporters include traders, artisans, farmers, students, professionals, traditional institutions, religious organisations and other groups across the state.

He also dismissed suggestions of serious divisions within the Ogun APC, pointing to the participation of prominent party figures in the party’s political activities as evidence that reconciliation was taking place.

The writer further criticised opposition politicians and commentators whom he accused of attempting to exploit alleged disagreements within the APC, while maintaining that the ruling party had mechanisms for resolving its internal disputes.

On the 2027 contest itself, Niyi-Osoba expressed confidence in Adeola’s prospects and predicted an APC victory in Ogun State. He also called on APC supporters to mobilise for the party and defend their votes during the election.

His position comes against the backdrop of increasing political activity in Ogun ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Adeola already campaigning on an agenda focused on education, infrastructure, jobs and SMEs, agriculture, health and social welfare.