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The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has dismissed as baseless and ridiculous claims by the Ladi Adebutu Democratic Organisation challenging the indigeneship of the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

In a statement issued on Thursday by its Publicity Secretary, Olufemi Nuberu, the APC said the attempt by LADO and its spokesperson, Afolabi Orekoya, to portray Adeola as a stranger and non-indigene of Ogun State was reckless, mischievous and contrary to facts and constitutional provisions.

The party said Orekoya’s remarks during a radio programme on a private FM station in Ilese-Ijebu amounted to desperate political propaganda aimed at distracting Ogun residents from what it described as the crisis and disintegration within the Peoples Democratic Party.

Orekoya had questioned Adeola’s origin, insisting that the 2027 governorship election should not be handed to “a stranger” allegedly unfamiliar with Ogun State’s political and social history.

He also accused the APC-led government of failing residents in the areas of infrastructure, education, security, housing and welfare, while defending Ladi Adebutu as the most qualified and competent candidate ahead of the election.

Orekoya further argued that Ogun State needed leadership rooted in familiarity with the people and long-standing commitment to the state, maintaining that Adebutu’s family history, philanthropy and political involvement placed him ahead of other contenders.

He suggested that Adeola’s political background in Lagos State raised questions over his claim to Ogun identity, adding that a pending court matter would reveal more about the senator’s political and personal records.

Reacting, the APC wondered how Adeola, who it said has maternal and paternal roots in Abeokuta and Yewaland respectively, and currently represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly, could be described as a non-indigene of the state.

The party said the allegation was inconsistent with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution on citizenship and eligibility to contest elections.

The APC urged the PDP and its affiliates to focus on resolving their internal crisis instead of attacking political opponents.

It claimed that the crisis within the Ogun PDP had worsened, leading to the defection of key stakeholders to the APC, including former PDP State Chairman, Sikirulai Ogundele, and members of the PDP caucus in the Ogun State House of Assembly.

The party described the PDP as a sinking and crisis-ridden platform whose members were losing confidence in its leadership and direction.

It also accused Adebutu of political desperation, saying it was ironic that his supporters were attempting to discredit Adeola with what it called unfounded allegations.

The statement read in part, “Nigerians are well aware of the fact that the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, is facing a Federal Government court case linked to alleged vote-buying and money laundering during the 2023 Ogun State governorship election.

“We wait to see how such a candidate, whom the people of Ogun State are keeping at arm’s length because of his poor record, hopes to derive political capital from false, jejune, and illogical statements targeted at Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola and his candidature.”

The APC further defended the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun, saying it had recorded major achievements in road infrastructure, industrial expansion and landmark projects such as the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport.

It said Ogun people would not return the state to what it described as the dark days of the PDP era, which it alleged were characterised by thuggery, scandals and politically motivated violence.

The party maintained that Adeola remained the governorship candidate to beat ahead of the 2027 election, citing his economic blueprint, grassroots engagements across the state and extensive constituency projects.

It concluded that Ogun residents would reject what it called the politics of deception and embrace continuity, stability and development in 2027.