The League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP) has reaffirmed its support for the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, while condemning renewed attempts to question his indigene status ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
The association made its position known during a media chat held in Ilaro on Sunday, where its Founder, Convener and National President, Elhadj (Otunba) Abu-Satar Idowu Hamed, described Senator Adeola as a competent and experienced leader whose track record makes him qualified to govern the state.
Hamed said LOYAMP, comprising veteran journalists, publishers, Editors-in-Chief and other media professionals, has consistently advocated the emergence of a qualified candidate from Ogun West in the interest of equity, fairness and justice.
He disclosed that the association had, over the years, engaged prominent national figures, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, among other stakeholders, to canvass support for the Ogun West governorship agenda.
According to Hamed, Senator Adeola’s return to Ogun West after representing Lagos West in the Senate has brought significant political and developmental gains to the district through various infrastructural projects, educational initiatives and empowerment programmes targeting youths, women, artisans, students, senior citizens and other vulnerable groups.
The association, however, expressed concern over what it described as renewed efforts by some individuals to question the senator’s ancestry, insisting that his status as an indigene of Ilaro from the Pahayi family had long been established and accepted.
LOYAMP described the controversy as politically motivated and unnecessary, arguing that attention should instead be focused on issues of governance, leadership and development.
“The people of Ogun State deserve issue-based campaigns rather than attempts to revive matters that have long been settled. Elections should be about competence, performance, vision and the ability to improve the lives of the people,” Hamed said.
The group maintained that Senator Adeola’s developmental record across Ogun West remains visible, adding that leadership should be judged by the ability to deliver tangible dividends of democracy.
Consequently, LOYAMP called on residents of Ogun West and the wider electorate across Ogun State to support Senator Adeola’s governorship aspiration, expressing confidence that his emergence would provide purposeful leadership while giving Ogun West the opportunity to produce the state’s governor for the first time since its creation over five decades ago.
Several stakeholders who spoke during the media chat also commended LOYAMP for organising the event, saying it provided an opportunity to clarify issues surrounding the senator’s political profile.
The speakers dismissed allegations reportedly made by Hakeem Adedeji against Senator Adeola, describing them as false, misleading and without factual basis. They alleged that the claims were intended to attract public attention and should not distract the people of Ogun State.
According to the stakeholders, Yewaland should remain united in pursuing its long-standing governorship aspiration rather than engaging in divisive campaigns capable of weakening the region’s political interests.
They also urged the electorate not to be distracted by what they described as propaganda, insisting that support for Senator Adeola’s 2027 governorship ambition continues to grow.
Among those present at the media chat were media practitioners, community leaders and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, including Akinola Akindele, Ayodeji Adeyemi, Ibrahim Bammeke, Simeon Fakeye, Kayode Salako, Tunji Idowu, Omolara Akintade, Rafiu Ogundipe, Sina Akanni, Angel Ajayi and Femi Akintade.
The association reiterated its commitment to mobilising support for Senator Adeola’s governorship bid throughout the electoral process and pledged to continue advocating equity, justice and inclusive governance in Ogun State.
LOYAMP also appealed to journalists to uphold professionalism by promoting balanced, factual and responsible reporting as political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election intensify.