Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola May Be Using His Exalted Position As Chairman, Appropriation Committee Of The Senate To ‘Oppress’ His Colleagues From Ogun State—Wale Adedayo

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola

OpenLife Nigeria reports that Wale Adedayo, Editor-in-Chief, Uhuru Times and former Chairman, Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State, has reviewed the democratic tendencies of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, with a verdict that he would be dictatorial if elected as governor of Ogun State in 2027.

Senator Adeola , known by the alias Yayi, has indicated interest for the Ogun State governorship seat in 2027.
To achieve that, the Senator who represent Ogun West and chairman, Senate Appropriation Committee, has been reaching out to individuals and institutions with projects.

In his wisdom and to expand his political base, the 55 years old Senator has been executing Senate routine “Constituency Projects” in senatorial districts out his Ogun West, a development that unsettles some political stakeholders in Ogun Central and East.

Among those who have reacted is Honourable Wale Adedayo who wrote on his Facebook wall:

For some time now, a lot of my supporters in Ijebu East Local Government have been on my neck asking that I openly support Ogun West’s Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi).

Former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, once said the same when Yayi made his first appearance on the Ogun State political scene.

My answer, during his first show of interest in the Gateway State, was: What are those things he’ll do for the state. Yes, son of man is a church rat.

But being an Afenifere ahead of any other consideration, the first question our Babas would ask in those days is not how much a politician is doling out. It is a visible and practical programme of action.

That is what I told my people. Of course, I added that, Hon. Deko Onamusi being my leader, it is where he pitches his tent I will go.

But having read statements after statements about the Ake Palace renovation in which Yayi is involved, I sincerely feel those against his alleged involvement are not asking the right questions. It is the same for those celebrating Yayi’s intervention in some projects in Ogun East Senatorial District.

Yayi currently represents Ogun West Senatorial District. Above all, he chairs the Almighty Senate Appropriation Committee, thus giving him an above the average leverage to get projects for himself.

But, politically speaking, why should a Senator from another District be involved in facilitating projects for an area different from his own? The two other senators, Ogun Central and East, are both from the same political party as Yayi.

Is it not an indirect indictment that they could not facilitate such projects for their respective areas?

Of course, one can also cite the appropriateness or otherwise of a legislator being given responsibilities outside his immediate Constituency. But that is not for now. Politics get as e be. 2 + 2 can become 44 with proof from politicians who’ll explain with ‘facts’ how mathematics could go that way.

Personally, I feel it is wrong for Yayi to be directly involved in such Federal Government interventions.

Yes, he could donate money or build projects in his personal capacity. But facilitating Federal projects in a Constituency different from his own is certainly wrong for him to do.

It shows he does not care about the two other senators. It shows he is using his exalted position as Chairman, Appropriation Committee of the Senate to ‘oppress’ his colleagues from the same state. And I wonder the kind of dictator such a person will be IF he becomes Ogun State Governor.

Yayi should stay in his lane. Or he could ask to assist his colleagues to facilitate such if necessary. I am sure that the Ogun Central Senator, who is biologically and physically an Egba man (check his face) will not be against the renovation of Alake’s Palace.

It is also certain that OGD, who represents Ogun East, will not be opposed to solar street lights and other projects that Yayi has facilitated for the senatorial district.

Yayi got his politics wrong. It is possible that key political actors in the state are angry, but quiet because of his high profile. But o maa lehin, certainly! Personally funded projects are okay to be done across the state. But it is politically wrong to be facilitating Federal projects, when you have colleagues from the same political party in that area.

Make data boys no come Lynch this man of God o! We still dey fast for my area. Our Itunu Awe is 14 April.

In like manner, a former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has accused Senator Adeola of allegedly diverting funds meant for a government project to a different initiative.

Amosun, in a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Lanre Akinwale, raised concerns over a library project facilitated by Adeola in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He claimed that the project board erected at the library site bore the inscription ‘Renovation of Ake Pavilion Roofing and other Facilities, Ogun State,’ a project originally initiated and self-funded by Amosun.

The former governor argued that the labeling of the library project suggested that federal funds earmarked for the renovation of the Ake Pavilion were being diverted elsewhere.

“What this simply connotes is that there is a budget in the Federal Appropriation for the Ake Pavilion project, which is being diverted to an entirely different project. Otherwise, how could the facilitator of the library project inscribe a narration entirely different from what he facilitated?” Amosun queried.

Clarifying the ownership of the Ake Pavilion project, Amosun emphasized that the initiative was conceptualized and personally financed by him during his tenure as governor in 2019.

According to him, the pavilion, which is 95 percent completed, includes a 3,000-capacity amphitheater, banquet halls, a museum, administrative blocks, and other facilities, all aimed at boosting tourism in the state.

“While Senator Amosun welcomes the facilitation of Federal Government-funded projects to Ogun State, it is essential to ensure that such projects are done with sincerity and without misrepresenting facts.

“We advise Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola to provide accurate information to the people of Ogun State, especially Abeokuta, regarding the library project he facilitated to Ewang Estate Extension,” the statement read.

However, in a swift reaction, Senator Adeola, through his spokesperson, Kayode Odunaro, dismissed Amosun’s allegations, insisting that no diversion of funds had taken place.

Odunaro explained that the inscription on the project signpost was in line with budgetary classifications, noting that the term ‘Renovation of Ake Pavilion Roofing and Other Facilities, Ogun State’ could cover various projects across the state.

“For those not conversant with budgetary terminologies, the wordings ‘and other facilities, Ogun State’ show that the project was not confined to Ake Pavilion alone.

Indeed, it could include construction of roads, schools, libraries, etc., in Ogun State, as determined by the implementing agency and facilitator of the project in the budget,” Odunaro stated.
He acknowledged that there was indeed a budget allocation for the renovation of Ake Pavilion following appeals from concerned stakeholders in Ogun State.

He said Adeola was unaware that the project was privately funded by Amosun.

“There was indeed a budget inclusion for the renovation of Ake Pavilion following appeals to Senator Adeola from well-meaning sons and daughters of Egbaland to complete the project that was seemingly abandoned for a period.

“What was not made known to Senator Adeola at the point of appeals was the fact that this was a personal project of Senator Amosun,” he clarified.
Odunaro further noted that once Adeola became aware of Amosun’s personal funding of the project, he opted to redirect the allocated funds toward the construction of a library in Ewang Estate Extension in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

“Finally, there is nothing untoward in the inscription at the library, as that is what is contained in the ministry’s budget that was used to fund the project. It would have been otherwise if the signpost had been placed at the Ake Pavilion under construction by Senator Amosun,” Odunaro concluded.

The controversy surrounding the alleged project fund diversion has sparked debates within Ogun State’s political circles, with residents and stakeholders keenly observing further developments.