Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola has threatened legal action against Abayomi Hunye and Folake Marcus-Bello over claims concerning his alleged Ekiti origin.
Adeola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election, gave the two politicians 24 hours to provide evidence supporting their claims or face possible libel proceedings. (The Guardian Nigeria)
The dispute has brought the senator’s ancestry into the centre of the emerging 2027 Ogun governorship contest. It followed separate television appearances by Hunye and Marcus-Bello on Channels Television programmes.
According to Adeola’s media adviser, Kayode Odunaro, both politicians alleged that the senator is from Ekiti State. Adeola has rejected the claims and described them as false and defamatory. (The Times)
Marcus-Bello Challenges Adeola Over Yewa Ancestry
Marcus-Bello, a former Nigerian ambassador and former Ogun State commissioner, has publicly questioned Adeola’s claim to Yewa ancestry.
During a television appearance, she said she had documents which, according to her, supported her position. She specifically referred to what she described as the programme of events from Adeola’s father’s burial in Ekiti State. (Vanguard News)
Marcus-Bello also challenged Adeola to a public debate over his ancestry. She argued that the question was relevant to the 2027 governorship contest because Yewa has not produced a governor since Ogun State was created.
Her claims about Adeola’s ancestry and the documents she referenced have not been independently verified.
Adeola’s camp has rejected the allegations and demanded that those making them provide evidence.
Hunye Welcomes Threat Of Legal Action
Hunye has since responded to Adeola’s ultimatum by saying he is prepared to face him in court.
Through his media aide, Femi Oyewale, Hunye said he had documentary evidence to support his position. He also claimed that a legal matter relating to the disputed ancestry was already before a court. That assertion has not been independently verified from court records in the sources reviewed. (Punch Newspapers)
Hunye argued that the allegations concern a political candidate’s origin and eligibility, rather than a purely private matter. He said he was willing to present his evidence through the legal process. (Vanguard News)
The response means the 24-hour ultimatum issued by Adeola has now produced a direct challenge from at least one of the two politicians named in his statement.
Adeola’s 2027 Candidacy
Adeola currently represents Ogun West in the Senate and has been recognised by the APC as its candidate for the 2027 Ogun governorship election.
The APC endorsed him as its consensus candidate in April, while Governor Dapo Abiodun later formally presented him to Ogun West stakeholders. The party has also reaffirmed his candidacy following an internal dispute involving Hunye. (Channels Television)
The controversy over Adeola’s ancestry is therefore unfolding against the backdrop of an increasingly active 2027 political contest.
For now, the competing claims remain allegations from the respective camps. No independent evidence establishing either side’s account of Adeola’s ancestry was identified in the sources reviewed.
The threatened legal action could provide a formal avenue for the competing claims and any supporting documents to be tested if proceedings are filed.
