‘Where are your maternal relatives’ – Ogun indigene queries Yayi over alleged Kemta roots

The senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has come under fresh scrutiny over his claim of maternal ancestry in Kemta, Abeokuta, following a recent homecoming reception held in his honour.

An Ogun State indigene, Ibrahim Afolabi, challenged the senator to address what he described as lingering questions surrounding his roots and the source of his wealth.

Afolabi, who spoke in Abeokuta, was reacting to a reception organised in Kemta, which Yayi described as a “glorious homecoming” hosted by his maternal family in support of his reported governorship ambition.

The senator had said the event was organised by people of Kemta to welcome him as one of their own and endorse his political aspiration.

However, Afolabi questioned the authenticity of the claim, describing the reception as one that raised more questions than answers.

“This kind of daylight gaslighting requires sincere questions and truthful answers,” he said.

Insisting that he was neither a politician nor an opponent of the senator, Afolabi said his intervention was motivated by concern for Ogun State and the need for transparency ahead of the next election.

“I have never been a politician and I am not against Senator Adeola. But as Ogun people prepare for another election cycle, we owe ourselves the responsibility of asking questions. Whatever happens after the election will determine the future of everyone in the state. We must therefore be factual, sincere and truthful,” he stated.

He recalled that the senator first publicly claimed maternal ties to Kemta about a decade ago, but noted that the issue only resurfaced prominently with the recent reception.

According to him, if Adeola’s maternal roots in Kemta were genuine, members of his immediate maternal family should have played visible roles at the event.

“Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola should at least have been introduced by one of his mother’s brothers or sisters,” Afolabi said.

He challenged the lawmaker to publicly identify his maternal relatives in Kemta.

“My first question is simple, where are your mother’s siblings in Kemta whom you are claiming? Where are the records and history of your mother’s family in Kemta?” he asked.

Afolabi also questioned what he described as inconsistencies in previous claims regarding the senator’s ancestry.

“Is the Kemta story similar to the Pahayi story in Ilaro? Which family bears the Adeola name in Pahayi, Ilaro? Or are they the only Adeolas there?” he queried.

He further called on the senator to explain what he alleged was a change of identity over the years.

“Senator Solomon Adeola should tell Ogun people who Sulaiman Ogunleye is and why the name allegedly changed to Solomon Adeola,” he said.

On the senator’s financial status, Afolabi also sought clarification on the source of his wealth, asking what business or professional activities he engaged in outside politics.

“My final question is this, what work did he do outside politics to have amassed so much wealth? If it is only politics, does he mean the wealth came from public office? These are questions that deserve honest answers,” he added.

He maintained that his comments were not intended to malign the senator but reflected the level of public scrutiny expected of anyone seeking to govern Ogun State.

“These are mere questions that require truthful answers. They are not intended to fight him or bring him down. It is normal for the people to know thoroughly who wants to lead them.

“Perhaps if he had been straightforward about his background from the beginning, Ogun people would have embraced him for his honesty. Instead, many people are now left with questions that deserve answers.”

Afolabi also argued that if Adeola was genuinely recognised as a son of Kemta through his maternal lineage, the family should have formally presented him to the Oluwo of Kemta before introducing him publicly to the community.

“What happened appears more like packaging than reality,” he said.