The Ogun Youth Vanguard (OYV) has dismissed recent public challenges regarding the indigeneship of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, labeling the claims as a desperate political strategy.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta on Friday by Secretary Abdulhamid Irewole, the group challenged critics to present any evidence before legal or constitutional authorities rather than resorting to media campaigns and television appearances.
OYV alleged that the attacks are part of a coordinated effort by political opponents to frustrate the Yewa zone’s long-standing aspiration to produce the state’s next governor. The group specifically pointed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ladi Adebutu, accusing him of deploying supporters to spread false claims.
“Someone who has allegations of vote-buying and corruption hanging over him should first remove the log in his own eye before pointing accusing fingers,” the statement read, referencing ongoing legal proceedings against Adebutu.
The group further argued that attempts to question Adeola’s ancestry are designed to protect existing political configurations, noting that both the current governor, Dapo Abiodun, and Adebutu hail from Iperu in Ikenne Local Government Area. OYV maintained that denying the Yewa zone its turn would marginalize other regions across the state.
Concluding its statement, the group urged the electorate to focus on candidate records and governance issues rather than political distractions, reiterating that the aspiration of the Yewa people remains sacrosanct.