Daud Olatunji
The Eselu of Eseluland in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to urgently resolve the lingering dispute arising from its governorship primary, warning that the crisis involving two Yewa sons could become an embarrassment to the party and the region.
The monarch also questioned how an aspirant, Hon. Semanko Abayomi Hunye, could have participated in the governorship primary and allegedly scored zero votes, describing the situation as an issue that required clarification.
Hunye, who contested the APC governorship ticket against the eventual winner, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has challenged the outcome of the primary in court, insisting that the process did not reflect his votes.
Speaking with journalists during the housewarming ceremony of his private residence in Obada Oko, Ogun State, Oba Akinyemi said the party should establish a dispute resolution committee to address the disagreement rather than allow the matter to continue generating tension.
The monarch said both Adeola and Hunye were his subjects and urged them and the party leadership to resolve their differences in the interest of the state.
He said, “I think I will have to implore the party that they should call them together and resolve whatever their differences are.
“As far as the claim is concerned, it would have been an issue for the political leaders. But as a royal father, what I will implore them to do is to put a committee in place. There should be a dispute resolution committee in the party.”
Oba Akinyemi, who said he had been following the controversy, described the situation as one characterised by “agitation and counter-agitation”, stressing that the party should act before the dispute further damages its unity.
He, however, raised questions over the reported zero vote credited to Hunye at the primary.
According to him, even if all the delegates voted for Adeola, it would be difficult to explain how Hunye, who participated in the election, could have no vote recorded in his favour.
He said, “If actually Abayomi Hunye went for the primary, he can’t score zero. It’s not possible. Because he also voted. So, who stole his vote? That’s the fundamental question.
“Let’s assume everybody voted for Yayi; there’s no doubt about that. But what about Hunye? Can Hunye vote for Yayi? That’s not possible. So, that one vote, where is it? Who stole it?”
The monarch, however, cautioned against pre-judging the matter, noting that the dispute was already before the court.
He said the appropriate thing was for the APC to address the grievances internally while allowing the judicial process to take its course.
Oba Akinyemi also called on political leaders, the media and civil society organisations to subject all governorship candidates in the 2027 election to thorough scrutiny before the electorate entrusts them with the leadership of Ogun State.
He said the scrutiny should go beyond political affiliations to include the candidates’ records, competence and family backgrounds.
The traditional ruler said, “Whoever is going to be the governor of Ogun State should be thoroughly cross-examined.
“We don’t have any other place to call our state. So, whosoever wants to take over from the governor, we should shun politics aside, irrespective of the party.
“The press, the media, civil society organisations should bring everybody together and investigate them thoroughly, including their family background. That is very important.”
The monarch said the 2027 election should not be reduced to a contest between political parties or ethnic groups, insisting that the overriding consideration should be the capacity of the eventual governor to deliver good governance.
He acknowledged concerns about the alleged marginalisation of Ogun West in the state’s political leadership, but warned that the agitation for power should not make the people compromise on competence and good governance.
“Yes, Yewa is expected to have the government because we have been marginalised. You cannot erase that fact,” he said.
“But at the same time, we still want a good person that will give us good governance. I so much believe in good governance. That is my prayer.
“I want somebody who can give us dividends of democracy. Basic education should be fundamental. Empower the people. That is what is paramount to me.”
Oba Akinyemi also appealed to traditional rulers in Ogun State to remain neutral during the election while carefully scrutinising the candidates and encouraging their subjects to make informed choices.
He said, “Our role is to be neutral. Number two, to watch critically and make sure that we scrutinise one after the other and make sure that we are not going to pick a wrong choice.
“I implore all my traditional rulers that, please, this time around, we should be careful in making our choice. Pick the right choice.”
While commending the current administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun for what he described as its achievements, the monarch said the next governor must be subjected to rigorous scrutiny because the future of the state would depend on the quality of leadership that succeeds the incumbent.
He said, “The government is putting its best. It has done a lot of tremendous work; there is no doubt about that. But whoever is stepping after him must be critically verified.
“That’s my prayer.”
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