The “Egba Lokan Agenda 2027” coalition has vehemently denied reports claiming it has endorsed Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as a potential candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.
The controversy erupted following comments made by Kayode Oladele, an influential member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, on December 29. Oladele had praised the Egba coalition for reportedly recognizing Adeola as one of the prominent figures from Egba land vying to lead the state.
However, in a strongly-worded statement, the coalition, led by Chief Mustapha Abdulhakeem, condemned the suggestion that it had officially backed Senator Adeola. According to the coalition, the comments made by Professor Yemi Oke, one of its founding members, had been grossly misinterpreted and were not reflective of the group’s stance on the upcoming gubernatorial race.
“The Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 has found itself caught up in a web of misrepresentation regarding a publication attributed to Professor Yemi Oke,” Abdulhakeem said in the statement. “The group wishes to clarify that at no point has it adopted Senator Adeola as one of the hopefuls for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.”
The statement further added that the coalition had remained silent initially to avoid unnecessary controversy but felt compelled to respond after seeing how some politicians had used Oke’s remarks to boost Yayi’s political agenda.
“We chose not to dignify the claims with a response at first, hoping they would die down on their own. However, it has become evident that this misinformation is being used to elevate Senator Adeola’s political aspirations. We must make it clear to the public that these claims are unfounded,” Abdulhakeem stated.
The Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 is an influential group composed of various political and community leaders from the Egba ethnic group. Their mission is to advocate for political unity, leadership, and the strategic development of the Egba region within Ogun State. While the group had earlier mentioned potential gubernatorial aspirants such as Adeola, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, and other notable figures, they emphasized that no official endorsement had been made for any candidate.
“The group is built on inclusivity, and we are proud to have several credible individuals from Egba land who can serve in leadership roles,” said Abdulhakeem. “However, we will not allow anyone to falsely claim that the Egba Lokan Agenda has backed any candidate for the 2027 governorship election.”
The controversy surrounding the alleged endorsement intensified after reports emerged quoting Oke’s comments that seemed to position Yayi as a leading contender. Yemi Oke had reportedly named several high-profile figures, including Yayi, Bankole, and Hon. Jelili Kayode Amusan, as possible contenders for the governorship seat.
However, Oke’s remarks have now been dismissed by the coalition as “personal opinions.” “We consider Professor Oke’s interest in Senator Adeola’s candidacy as purely his own,” the statement clarified.
The response from the coalition has sparked a wave of reactions across Ogun State, with political observers and stakeholders questioning the dynamics within the Egba political landscape. While some have expressed support for Yayi’s ambitions, others have criticized the alleged endorsement as a politically motivated move aimed at securing Yayi’s dominance in the race.
In a further bid to quell the confusion, the statement also addressed concerns regarding Yayi’s heritage, following remarks by Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, who had publicly referred to Yayi as a “son of Yewaland.”
However, the Egba coalition has pointed out that no such declaration has been made by the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, or any other prominent traditional ruler in the region. The absence of such a declaration, they argue, highlights the lack of consensus on Yayi’s political legitimacy within Egba land.
“This is a clear indication that Senator Adeola’s claim to Egba heritage remains unsubstantiated in the eyes of the royal institutions in the region,” the coalition’s statement said.
Political experts suggest that the controversy may reflect deeper rifts within Ogun State’s APC, as different factions within the party jockey for influence ahead of the 2027 governorship election. It also underscores the highly competitive nature of the gubernatorial race, with multiple figures from Ogun State’s political elite positioning themselves for the top job.
Despite the internal discord, the Egba Lokan Agenda remains firm in its mission to ensure that the Egba people, and indeed the entire Ogun State, have access to competent, visionary leadership, free from political manipulation.
“We are focused on identifying the best candidates for the future of Ogun State, and we will not allow anyone to hijack our movement for personal gain,” Abdulhakeem declared. “The Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 remains united in its commitment to the progress and prosperity of the Egba people.”
As the 2027 gubernatorial race in Ogun State approaches, political watchers will be keenly observing how these internal power struggles and public disagreements will influence the outcome. For now, the Egba Lokan Agenda has made it clear that they will not be swayed by external pressures or false endorsements, and they will continue their search for the most suitable candidate to lead Ogun State into the future.