By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. | adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
Editor, DDNews |
Abeokuta, Ogun State – September 21, 2026
DDNewsOnline
Chief Mrs Folake Marcus-Bello has renewed her challenge to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, over questions surrounding his origin and political history.
Speaking during a television interview, Marcus-Bello insisted that Adeola is not from Ogun State and challenged him to make public relevant records, including information concerning his first employment at The Guardian newspaper and the INEC form he completed when he first contested for the Lagos State House of Assembly.
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She also questioned the consistency of his claim to Ogun ancestry, arguing that documents and records from his earlier years could help clarify issues surrounding his background.
Marcus-Bello described the controversy as one that deserves transparency, particularly because Adeola is seeking the highest political office in Ogun State. She maintained that anyone aspiring to lead the state should be able to provide clear and verifiable information about his background.
She further challenged Yayi to provide information on his source of funds and to disclose establishments or businesses outside public office that could account for his reported financial capacity.
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Multiple Voices Raise Questions
The latest comments come amid a series of public challenges to Adeola’s candidacy for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Former Ijebu East Local Government Chairman, Wale Adedayo, had earlier appeared on national television and declared that Yayi cannot win the 2027 election. He referred to him by an older name, Sulaimon Ogunleye, and insisted the senator is from Ekiti State with no genuine roots in Ogun. Adedayo challenged him to prove his ancestry.
Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello has also claimed that while Yayi worked at The Guardian, he claimed Ekiti indigeneship. She alleged that he later left the newspaper, reappeared with a new public name, moved through the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Senate, and only then landed in Ogun West.
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She pointed to the burial of his father in Ekiti and his mother in Epe, Lagos, and said she has documents, including a burial programme carrying his family oriki. Marcus-Bello has maintained her position even after Yayi’s earlier 24-hour lawsuit threats.
Adedeji Adetunji Akeem has also circulated accounts alleging that certain people brought Yayi to Pahayi Isaga so he could acquire the family name Ogundimu and appear as a local son. These accounts have spread widely online.
PDP governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu, a native of Iperu and Odogbolu, has dared Yayi to sue him. He openly called Yayi a fake indigene of Ogun State and said he is ready with documents for court.
Chief Alani Bankole, an Egba high chief, has thrown his support behind the allegations, criticising what he described as the imposition of an outsider as a governorship candidate.
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Primary Election Under Legal Challenge
From within the APC itself, Abayomi Hunye has kept the pressure high. He insists the primary that produced Yayi as candidate was deeply flawed.
According to Hunye, he paid ₦50 million for the nomination form, was screened and cleared, yet the official result gave him zero votes across the entire state while Yayi took nearly all. He has gone to court, arguing lack of fairness, transparency and widespread irregularities.
Hunye questions how an aspirant who participated could score nothing and has challenged the party over claims that he was suspended before the process. He continues to insist the primary cannot stand and has unveiled a running mate while the legal battle continues.
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Yayi’s Camp Responds
Yayi’s camp has responded with family videos, traditional endorsements and repeated denials of the origin claims. The senator had earlier issued 24-hour ultimatums to some of his critics, demanding evidence or face legal action.
Supporters point to endorsements from traditional rulers, including the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, who has publicly identified Adeola as a son of Yewa and conferred the title Aremo of Yewaland on him.
Growing Debate
The controversy has expanded beyond ancestry into questions of character, fairness of the primary process and suitability for the governorship.
Yewa people have long waited for their turn at the governorship. Many residents are now demanding clearer answers on belonging, the integrity of the primary and the temperament of the candidate.
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The voices challenging Yayi continue to multiply. Wale Adedayo, Marcus-Bello, Adedeji Adetunji Akeem, Chief Alani Bankole, Ladi Adebutu, Abayomi Hunye and others remain vocal. Each new revelation has added weight to the debate.
Ogun voters are watching the developments closely as the 2027 election approaches. The issues of origin, primary legitimacy and personal character are expected to remain central to political discourse in the state in the coming months.
By Ogungbayi Adeyemi S. (Beedee)
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