THE Senator representing Lagos West and governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Senator Olamilekan Adeola popularly known Yayi has explained why both the previous and incumbent elected governors in Ogun State were produced from Lagos State.
Senator Adeola said hardly would any democratically-elected governor, who had served in Ogun State, claim not to have roots in Lagos State.
Vanguard reported that the Senator spoke, yesterday, when he alongside his team, paid a visit to Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite in Imeko, Imeko/Afon Local Government Area as part of his ongoing consultative meeting with stakeholders on his ambition.
Adeola, who rejected the appellation: Tekobo placed on him over his ambition in Ogun State, specifically pointed out that former governors, Olabisi Onabanjo, Segun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun had all made headways economically in Lagos before returning home to Ogun State to contest and emerged at various times as governors.
In his words, “The truth is that if you want to run for governor in Ogun State, you can’t find the huge amount of money required here in Ogun State but Lagos.”
He said, “Your Royal Highness, they have been shouting that I am coming from Lagos. Is there anybody who has governed Ogun State without any root in Lagos?
“The point is this, the amount you require for governorship race can’t be found in Ogun, you can only make such in Lagos.
“Our Baba, Chief Aremo Osoba, he was MD of DailyTimes in Ikeja, Lagos. Baba Olabisi Onabanjo came from Tincan in Apapa, Lagos. Otunba Gbenga Daniel has his office in Maryland, Lagos as well. The present governor, he has his, Amosun and Company in Palmgrove, Lagos.
“Why is it now that it comes to Yewa/Awori’s turn that they are shouting Tekobo (stranger from Lagos)?
“Again, if you examine it critically, none of these governors that have emerged without the connection or support of Lagos.
“I put it on record, I am not fighting Amosun. He is my elder brother and present governor of my state.
“The only issue between us is the claim that I am from Lagos. But Amosun was also from Lagos. This to me, however, should not create any issue.
“I was a member of the Lagos House of Assembly. I was at House of Representatives and now at Senate. I was Special Adviser to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. So, I have the credentials to turn around the future of Ogun State.”
He said Ogun West Senatorial District had endured marginalisation long enough since the creation of the state in 1976, adding that “it is high time the zone realised the dream in 2019.”
While thanking former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Amosun and Chief Osoba for their support for Yewa zone to produce the governor in 2019, he cautioned against imposition, adding that the zone should be allowed to present its qualified and competent candidate.
He said Ogun West Senatorial District had endured marginalisation long enough since the creation of the state in 1976. saying it is high time the zone realised the dream in 2019.
The Senator promised to appoint “100 percent of his cabinet members” from Ogun State and ensure that all “neglected communities” are given facelift through the provision of roads, health centers, schools, tourist centers among other amenities.
Responding, Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite lamented what he called neglect and sorry state of his town, saying “Imeko has been relegated to nothing.”
