ABEOKUTA — A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State and former member of the House of Representatives for Ipokia/Yewa South Federal Constituency in the 8th Assembly, Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade, has called for restraint and respect for the sanctity of the courts, insisting that no amount of rhetoric will deny Ogun West the opportunity to occupy the Oke-Mosan Government House in 2027.
Akinlade made the position known in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Media Aide, Azeez Adelani, in reaction to what he described as unsubstantiated claims and threats of legal action surrounding issues already before competent courts of jurisdiction.
He urged all parties involved to allow the judicial process to run its full course, stressing the importance of respecting the courts and avoiding statements capable of escalating political tensions.
According to him, the fact that Senator Olamilekan Adeola Solomon, popularly known as Yayi, is currently the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly is an indication that he must have met the constitutional requirements for holding an elective position in Ogun State.
Akinlade, who was the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in 2019 and Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, also took a swipe at party members who remain within a political party while instituting legal actions against the same party.
He described such a situation as “the height of party disloyalty,” arguing that anyone who disagrees with a political process should do the noble thing by leaving the party and seeking an alternative platform.
Akinlade cited his own political experience as an example, recalling that he paid N50 million in 2022 to obtain the APC governorship nomination form, travelled to Abuja for screening, was cleared to participate in the primary and eventually scored zero votes.
“I did not set the roof of the house on fire; instead, I left,” he said.
He further described remaining in a party while allowing oneself to be used or resorting to what he called vengeful rhetoric as “the worst kind of betrayal.”
“The worst kind of betrayal is to remain in the party and allow yourself to be used, or resort to vengeful rhetoric,” Akinlade said.
He stressed that Ogun West was bigger than any individual or group, regardless of where they might come from, adding that the region’s 2027 political project must be viewed as a collective responsibility.
“Ogun West is bigger than any single individual or an insignificant handful of people, regardless of where they may come from. The 2027 Ogun West project is bigger than Sen. Olamilekan Adeola Solomon. It is our collective responsibility to bring it to reality this time around,” he stated.
Akinlade also acknowledged Senator Adeola’s right to challenge any claims made against him, but said the APC governorship candidate should equally recognise the responsibility that fate had placed on his shoulders as the current political symbol of Ogun West’s governorship aspiration.
He said Ogun West was once again waiting in expectation, stressing that Senator Adeola was now bound by the collective trust of the people to fulfil what he described as the region’s destiny.
According to him, the responsibility goes beyond Adeola personally or the APC, extending to previous generations of Ogun West people who made sacrifices to create the opportunity now available to the region.
“Ogun West is holding its breath once again, and he is bound by the collective trust of the people to fulfil this destiny — not just for himself or the APC, but also for those who came before him and sacrificed so much to set the stage for him,” Akinlade said.
He declared that the struggle for the 2027 governorship was not that of Senator Adeola alone, but a collective battle involving the people of Ogun West, APC members and the entire state.
“The battle is not Yayi’s alone, but that of every Ogun West indigene, every true APC member and Ogun State in general. We are ready this time around to prove that we can,” he said.
Akinlade expressed confidence that Ogun West would finally produce the next governor of Ogun State in the February 2027 election.
“Ogun West will produce the next Governor of Ogun State come February 2027. Amen,” he declared.
The statement was signed by Azeez Adelani, MNIIA, Senior Media Aide to Hon. Adekunle Abdulkabir Akinlade (Triple A), and dated Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
