ABEOKUTA – The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has accused former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello of abandoning the party over financial interests rather than political principles.
Speaking while receiving members of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes (Market Leaders) from Remoland at his senatorial office in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area, Adeola dismissed claims by Obasanjo-Bello that she left the APC because he failed to refund her campaign expenses.
The APC flagbearer described the alleged request for reimbursement in both naira and dollars as shocking and offensive, insisting that he never asked the former senator to contest the governorship election.
According to him, he initially regarded Obasanjo-Bello as a respected daughter of Ogun State who genuinely desired the state’s development. However, he said her recent public comments suggested that her political ambition was driven more by personal benefits than service to the people.
Adeola alleged that her decision to leave the APC and subsequently align with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was motivated by financial considerations, maintaining that politicians whose loyalty is tied to personal gain cannot be trusted with the state’s future.
He further claimed that some opposition politicians were interested in capturing power for selfish reasons rather than advancing the welfare and development of Ogun State, adding that their actions reflected bitterness instead of genuine commitment to public service.
On the legal challenge against his emergence as the APC governorship candidate, Adeola expressed confidence that the courts would dismiss the case, alleging that it was orchestrated by political opponents determined to frustrate his candidacy.
The senator also argued that politicians who defected from the APC after May 10, 2026, were ineligible to contest the forthcoming governorship election, citing what he described as existing constitutional provisions and judicial precedents.
He further maintained that the PDP in Ogun State remained embroiled in unresolved internal disputes and litigation, questioning the party’s preparedness for the election.
Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, joined the APC in March 2026 to pursue her governorship ambition. She resigned from the party on May 31, 2026, alleging unfair treatment and disrespect by the party leadership before defecting to the PDP, where she later emerged as the party’s Ogun Central Senatorial candidate.
