The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has accused former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello of defecting from the party for financial reasons.
Adeola made the allegation while hosting members of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes (market leaders) in Remoland at his senatorial office in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area.
Reacting to Obasanjo-Bello’s claim that she left the APC because he failed to reimburse her campaign expenses, Adeola described the alleged demand as “insulting” and said it showed that her governorship ambition was driven by personal interest rather than a desire to serve Ogun State.
“Their intention is driven by personal interest and not the interest of Ogun 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 said.
The APC flagbearer said he had initially approached Obasanjo-Bello during consultations with party stakeholders because he regarded her as a respected daughter of Ogun State who genuinely desired the state’s progress.
He, however, alleged that her subsequent actions showed that her interest was not centred on public service.
“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 stated.
He further alleged that after failing to get what she wanted from him and the APC, Obasanjo-Bello aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in pursuit of similar personal benefits.
Adeola also criticised opposition figures in the state, accusing them of seeking political power primarily for access to state resources rather than genuine development.
On the legal challenge to his emergence as the APC governorship candidate, the senator expressed confidence that the suit would fail, alleging that it was sponsored by political opponents.
He also argued that politicians who defected from the APC after May 10, 2026, were constitutionally barred from contesting 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,” he said.
Adeola further questioned the legal standing of the PDP in Ogun State, claiming the party remained divided by unresolved internal litigation and leadership disputes.
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, citing alleged maltreatment and disrespect from the party leadership, and subsequently defected to the PDP, where she secured the Ogun Central Senatorial ticket.
Earlier, President of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes in Remoland, Chief Mrs. Olufunke Oyelaja, reaffirmed the support of market leaders for Adeola’s governorship ambition and commended his record of constructing modern markets and empowering traders across Ogun State.
