Indigeneship: Group defends Yayi, says Adebutu lacks moral standing to question his credentials

The Ogun Youth Vanguard (OYV), a pressure group, has vehemently defended the indigeneship of APC governorship candidate Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, against attempts to challenge his credentials. In a statement issued from Abeokuta on Friday by its Secretary, Abdulhamid Irewole, the group criticized those questioning Adeola’s roots, urging them to present their evidence before the appropriate judicial or constitutional authorities instead of spreading calumny through television appearances and social media.

OYV accused political opponents of deploying individuals to television stations to sow doubts about Adeola's ancestry, describing it as an attempt to "chase shadows" and distract from the APC candidate's service record. Additionally, the group targeted the PDP's governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, alleging that he has been spreading false claims against Adeola.

OYV stated that Adebutu, currently facing prosecution for allegations of vote-buying and corruption, should allow the courts to decide his case rather than attempting to tarnish the reputation of another candidate. The group insisted that the indigeneship issue is part of a larger political strategy to frustrate the longstanding aspiration of the Yewa people to produce Ogun State's next governor, a pursuit that the zone has diligently sought for decades.

They emphasized that no blackmail, intimidation, or politically motivated attacks can undermine Yewa's right to this opportunity. OYV urged anyone with credible evidence to disprove Adeola's claim of Ogun indigeneship to present it before the appropriate authorities, stressing that television appearances and political allegations cannot replace due process.

They encouraged the electorate to evaluate candidates based on their records, programs, experience, and commitment to Ogun State.