{
  "id": 7574007,
  "title": "Ogun 2027: Ex- Diplomat Says Yayi Not From Ogun, Challenges Him to Debate Over Origin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ogun-2027-ex-diplomat-says-yayi-not-from-ogun-challenges-him-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T15:03:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/15/ogun-2027-ex-diplomat-says-yayi-not-from-ogun-challenges-him-to-debate-over-origin/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Nigerian Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello has reignited the debate over the ancestral origins of Ogun State's APC governorship candidate, Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi. Speaking on live television, the ex-diplomat alleged that Yayi is not from the Yewa region, stating that there is documentary evidence to support her claim. Yayi's APC campaign has responded by threatening legal action against both Marcus-Bello and the candidate's media adviser, Hon. Abayomi Hunye, over the alleged libelous statements about his origins. Yayi's campaign leader emphasized that the issue of state of origin is crucial in the upcoming 2027 election, as the Yewa people deserve a \"genuine son or daughter of the soil.\" She challenged Yayi to a public confrontation and presented documents that contradict his claim. The controversy is further complicated by the fact that Yayi's political career began in Lagos before he shifted his ambition to Ogun West. The former ambassador highlighted the peculiar nature of Ogun State politics, which reserve local politics for its indigenes. Meanwhile, Yayi has challenged both Marcus-Bello and Hunye to present evidence supporting their allegations within 24 hours or face legal consequences. He accused the individuals of making false claims about his origins and the locations of his parents' graves, which they could not verify. Yayi recalled previous allegations about his origins used as propaganda to prevent his election as a senator representing Ogun West, stating that the allegations failed and the people of the district voted for him in the 2023 National Assembly elections.",
  "summary": "*APC guber candidate threatens suit James Sowole in Abeokuta The battle over who succeeds Governor Dapo Abiodun in 2027 has taken a new turn as former Nigerian Ambassador to Zambia",
  "key_points": [
    "Former Nigerian Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello claims Yayi is not from Ogun's Yewa region.",
    "Yayi's APC campaign threatens legal action over alleged libelous statements.",
    "Yayi challenges Marcus-Bello and campaign adviser to present evidence within 24 hours."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}