A group, Egba Lokan Agenda 2027, has debunked, in strong terms, media reports claiming it has adopted Senator Adeola Olamilekan, popularly known as Yayi, as its candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
The group’s position on the representative of Ogun West Senatorial District was contained in a statement obtained by The Eagle Online.
The group is a rainbow coalition movement formed to identify and support the emergence of a credible Egba indigene as the governor of Ogun State in 2027.
Last week, an All Progressives Congress leader and member of the Ogun State Caucus of the party, Hon. Kayode Oladele, had expressed great satisfaction with the leadership of Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 for recognising Yayi as one of Egba hopefuls to lead Ogun State.
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Oladele’s reaction followed a statement issued by the leader of Egba Lokan 2027, Prof. Yemi Oke (SAN), which stated that a number of Egba sons and daughters have been identified or rumoured as likely aspirants for Ogun State governorship seat in 2027 and went further to give a full list of the potential governorship aspirants of Egba origin.
According to Prof. Oke, Egba Lokan had adopted an inclusive disposition to define who is an Egba indigene capable of receiving the group’s support in line with Egba culture and tradition.
He stated: “For the purpose of our fundamental objective, and in line with Egba’s civilized disposition of equal rights to Egba sons and daughters in reflection of globally acceptable standards, we have been guided as to the definition of ‘an Egba son or daughter’.
“To this extent, and for the purpose of our inclusive activities and disposition, we restate that an Egba son or daughter is one whose either father or mother is of Egba origin.”
Oke, thereafter, gave a summary of the star studded list of potential governorship aspirants of Egba extraction to include the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole; former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sharafa Adetunji Ishola; Senator Lanre Tejuosho; Yayi, whose mother is an Egba indigene; Hon. Olumide Osoba, son of a former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo; and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, whose interest, the group is yet to confirm.
Also listed are the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadiri Obafrmi Hamzat; and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, amongst others.
In his reaction to the recognition of Yayi as an Egba aspirant, Hon. Oladele commended the group for its forthrightness and fidelity, especially considering the fact that the Egba culture and tradition treat a person whose mother or father is an Egba indigene equally and fairly.
However, the Egba Agenda 2027, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Mustapha Abdulhakeem, condemned what it described as “a basis to curry cheap political advantage for the legitimisation-seeking ambition of Yayi to rule Ogun State in 2027.
The statement by Abdulhakeem on Tuesday said: “Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 has regrettably found itself in an unfortunate controversy surrounding a publication claiming it has adopted Senator Adeola Olamilekan YAYI, currently representing Ogun West at the Senate, as one of the Egba hopefuls for the 2027 Ogun governorship.
“This misleading information emanated early last week when a report attributed to our organization, purportedly issued by Professor Yemi Oke, one of the founding members of the Egba Lokan Agenda 2027, surfaced online.
“Recognizing his intention to detribalize our movement, we strategically chose not to dignify some of the claim with a response, thereby denying it the traction it sought.
“However, our attention has now been drawn to a news article on THIS DAY referencing Prof. Yemi Oke’s report as a basis to curry cheap political advantage for the legitimization-seeking ambition of Senator YAYI to rule Ogun State in 2027.
“Therefore, the Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 is compelled to write a rejoinder to set the record straight, especially for the unsuspecting public who may be misled by these desperate politicians and actors.
“Save for mere propaganda and mischief-making, Hon. Kayode Oladele, the attributed source of the THIS DAY news article titled ‘Ogun Guber: Oladele Lauds Egba Position on YAYI,’ is much aware that Prof. Yemi Oke neither has the capacity to dictate the political future of Egba land nor does he carry the authority of the Egba people to so define its political template, not to talk of in the unilateral tone he has spoken.
“We must also emphasize that the Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 is clear in its definition, vision, and objective, and the district hopper, always searching for new colonies to explore and exploit, does not fit into the least condition.
“Therefore, we consider Prof. Yemi Oke’s interest in purely personal as far as senator Yayi’s ambition is concerned at best, his personal opinion, which he has a right to. Although we are not shocked, given his boisterous status as a professor and senior advocate of Nigeria. That may be expected
“It is even laughable that anyone will certify anybody as Egba indigene under which authority? We are also aware that the Olu of Ilaro had stated that rhe senator representing Ogun West is their son but we are yet to hear the same pronouncement from the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland or any other Oba in Egbaland hence the disclaimer.”
The group further slammed Hon. Oladele and his “co-traveler” that Egbaland has, is, and will never be in lack of credible individuals of known pedigree, uncontroversial descent, and unwavering patriotism to provide leadership at any level of government: state, national, or international.
Abdulhakeem added in the statement: “In fact, we find it an aberration in Egba land, a contradiction to our civilization, and demeaning of our status that we would have to hire a political machinery to provide leadership at the intra-national level when we have consistently produced and provided impeccable leadership for the nation and represented the nation at the global level.
“Even currently, the Egbas have three federal ministers, Wale Edun, Jumoke Oduwole and Dr Bosun Tijani, who have shown outstanding performance as key national players in the governance sector.
“We have had the likes of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, ChiefEarnest Shonekan and chief MKO ABIOLA ascending to and winning a nationwide election as bonafide Egbas. So we are not short in supply of credible personalities
“The above, aside from the plethora of lists of already known guber aspirants that aptly combine technocracy and politics with intimidating credentials that place them far above current gladiator that the article intends to introduce from the backdoor.
“Hon. Sarafa Tunji Ishola, Senator Lanre Tejuosho, Rt Hon Dimeji Bankole, Hon Kayode Amusan, Hon Bukola Olopade and other potential yet to be mentioned,” the group added.
“In conclusion, we enjoin the members of the public to ignore any misleading and misrepresenting reports and any such information that is built on its false premise, including the one published on THIS DAY.
“The Egba Lokan Agenda 2027 remains resolute and unequivocally committed to supporting and backing Egba indigenes contesting from Egba land to become governor of Ogun State in 2027.
“We are not against anyone but we are only for Egba people. Egba Agbewa ooo.”
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