ABEOKUTA — The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has strongly criticised former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello over her alleged demand for a refund of campaign expenses, describing the request as "insulting" and evidence that her political ambition was motivated by personal financial gain rather than public service.
Adeola made the remarks while receiving members of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes (Market Leaders) in Remoland at his senatorial office in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area.
The APC governorship standard-bearer was reacting to recent comments attributed to Obasanjo-Bello, who reportedly claimed that she left the ruling party after Adeola failed to reimburse funds she expended during her governorship campaign.
According to Adeola, the allegation reinforced his belief that some politicians were driven by personal interests instead of a genuine commitment to the development of Ogun State.
"Their intention is driven by personal interest and not the interest of Ogun State. They don't mean well for our dear state. One of them said I offended her because I refused to refund her campaign expenses in dollars and naira. Did I ask her to join the governorship race?" he queried.
The senator explained that he had initially reached out to Obasanjo-Bello during consultations with party stakeholders because he regarded her as a respected political figure and daughter of Ogun State whose aspiration was inspired by a desire to contribute to the state's development.
However, he said subsequent events convinced him otherwise.
"Asking me to refund what you spent on your electioneering campaign is insulting to me. You did not leave the APC because the party offended you. You left because you were offered money. You are not a party person; you simply want to cash in," Adeola declared.
He further alleged that after failing to secure what she wanted within the APC, Obasanjo-Bello aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in pursuit of similar personal benefits.
The APC candidate maintained that her recent public comments had exposed what he described as political dishonesty, adding that more details surrounding the matter would be made public at the appropriate time.
Adeola also took a swipe at opposition politicians in Ogun State, accusing them of seeking political office merely to gain access to the state's resources rather than to deliver meaningful governance.
According to him, their political activities were driven by bitterness and self-interest instead of a genuine desire to improve the welfare of the people.
On the legal challenge to his emergence as the APC governorship candidate, Adeola expressed confidence that the suit would fail, alleging that it was orchestrated by political opponents determined to frustrate his candidacy.
He further argued that politicians who defected from the APC after May 10, 2026, were constitutionally ineligible to contest the forthcoming governorship election.
"Based on existing legal provisions and court judgments, politicians who defected to another political party after May 10, 2026, are not qualified to contest the forthcoming election. We know when these people left the APC. Anyone who crossed over after that date is only wasting his or her time," he said.
The senator also questioned the readiness of the PDP for the election, claiming that the opposition party remained embroiled in internal crises, unresolved litigation and leadership disputes.
Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, joined the APC in March 2026 in pursuit of her governorship ambition. She resigned from the party on May 31, 2026, citing alleged maltreatment, disrespect and marginalisation by the party leadership before defecting to the PDP, where she subsequently secured the Ogun Central Senatorial ticket.
Meanwhile, the President of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes in Remoland, Chief Mrs. Olufunke Oyelaja, reaffirmed the support of market leaders for Adeola's governorship aspiration.
She commended the senator's record of constructing modern markets, empowering traders and implementing programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of market men and women across Ogun State.
The exchange marks the latest chapter in the growing political rivalry ahead of the Ogun governorship election, with both the APC and PDP intensifying campaigns amid increasing accusations and counter-accusations over defections, party loyalty and the motivations of key political actors.
