“Yayi Got His Politics Wrong… It Will Have Repercussions” – Popular Ogun Politician Declares

A popular name in the politics of Ogun State, Wale Adedayo, says Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola, representing Ogun West, “has got his politics wrong” and that it will have repercussions (But o maa lehin).

Adedayo, a former House of Representatives member and ex-local government chairman, emphasized his position with the qualifier “certainly.”

The former chairman of Ijebu East Local Government gave his assessment in the face of public uproar over Senator Adeola extending his reach into other senatorial districts by facilitating federal projects.

“Yayi got his politics wrong. It is possible that key political actors in the state are angry but quiet because of his high profile. But o maa lehin (it will have repercussions), certainly! Personally funded projects are okay to be done across the state. But it is politically wrong to be facilitating federal projects when you have colleagues from the same political party in that area,” Adedayo stated in a social media post on April 1, 2025.

Senator Adeola, widely known as Yayi, is the frontrunner in the race to determine the next Governor of Ogun State—an ambition he has been pursuing since about 2013 while still a federal lawmaker in Lagos State.

Adedayo, famous for tackling political issues in Ogun State, provided further insights, explaining that, “Yayi currently represents Ogun West Senatorial District. Above all, he chairs the almighty Senate Appropriation Committee, thus giving him an above-average leverage to get projects for himself. But, politically speaking, why should a senator from another district be involved in facilitating projects for an area different from his own? The two other senators—Ogun Central and East—are both from the same political party as Yayi. Is it not an indirect indictment that they could not facilitate such projects for their respective areas?

Of course, one can also cite the appropriateness or otherwise of a legislator being given responsibilities outside his immediate constituency. But that is not for now. Politics get as e be. 2 + 2 can become 44 with proof from politicians who’ll explain with ‘facts’ how mathematics could go that way.”

Taking a stand on the issue, Adedayo—whose face-off with Governor Dapo Abiodun over the state government’s handling of local government funds led to his removal as Ogun East Council Chairman in 2023—declared:

“Personally, I feel it is wrong for Yayi to be directly involved in such federal government interventions. Yes, he could donate money or build projects in his personal capacity. But facilitating federal projects in a constituency different from his own is certainly wrong. It shows he does not care about the two other senators. It shows he is using his exalted position as Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee to ‘oppress’ his colleagues from the same state. And I wonder what kind of dictator such a person will be if he becomes Ogun State Governor.

Yayi should stay in his lane. Or he could ask to assist his colleagues in facilitating such, if necessary. I am sure that the Ogun Central Senator (Salisu Afolabi Shuabi), who is biologically and physically an Egba man (check his face), will not be against the renovation of Alake’s Palace. It is also certain that OGD (Otunba Gbenga Daniel), who represents Ogun East, will not be opposed to solar streetlights and other projects that Yayi has facilitated for the senatorial district.”*

Disclosing attempts to get him to support Yayi’s gubernatorial bid and his reservations, Adedayo revealed:

“For some time now, a lot of my supporters in Ijebu East Local Government have been on my neck, asking that I openly support Ogun West’s Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi). Former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, once said the same when Yayi made his first appearance on the Ogun State political scene.

My answer, during his first show of interest in the Gateway State, was: What are those things he’ll do for the state? Yes, son of man is a church rat. But being an Afenifere ahead of any other consideration, the first question our Babas would ask in those days is not how much a politician is doling out. It is a visible and practical programme of action.”

Adedayo spoke amid accusations and counterclaims that Senator Adeola attempted to hijack a personal community project of former Ogun Central Senator Ibikunle Amosun and initiated another federal project in the senatorial district when the move failed.

The Ogun West senator influencing projects across senatorial districts in the state is described as part of strategies to bolster his chances of becoming the next governor.