The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, has accused opposition politicians of pursuing personal interests aimed at gaining access to the state’s treasury rather than serving the people, while dismissing claims that he failed to refund campaign expenses to a former party aspirant.
Adeola made the allegation while addressing members of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes (Market Leaders) in Remoland at his senatorial office in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area. His remarks were contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta by his Media Adviser, Kayode Odunaro.
Reacting to allegations by a former APC governorship aspirant that he failed to reimburse campaign expenses incurred by other contestants after emerging as the party’s consensus governorship candidate, Adeola described the demand as insulting, saying it suggested the aspirant’s participation in the race was motivated by financial expectations rather than a genuine commitment to Ogun State’s development.
According to him, he had met with the former aspirant during his post-primary reconciliation visits because he believed the individual genuinely wanted to serve the state. However, he said he later concluded that the person’s interest was driven by personal gain after the aspirant defected from the APC and aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate.
“Their intention is driven by personal interest and not the interest of Ogun State. They don’t mean well for our dear state. They are bitter. They are looking for the state purse,” Adeola said.
The APC governorship candidate also dismissed the legal challenge against his emergence, alleging that it was sponsored by political opponents, and expressed confidence that the suit would not succeed.
Adeola further argued that politicians who defected to other parties after May 10 were ineligible to contest the forthcoming governorship election, citing existing legal provisions and previous court judgments.
He also questioned the legal standing of the PDP in Ogun State, contending that the party was still grappling with unresolved leadership disputes.
Earlier, the President of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes in Remoland, Mrs. Olufunke Oyelaja, pledged the group’s support for Adeola’s governorship bid.
Oyelaja commended Adeola’s contributions to the development of Ogun State, citing his empowerment programmes and the construction of modern markets for traders as evidence of his commitment to improving the welfare of the people.
