The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, has accused opposition politicians of pursuing personal interests aimed at accessing the state’s treasury rather than serving the people.

This is contained in a statement in Abeokuta on Sunday by his Media Adviser, Kayode Odunaro.

Mr Adeola was quoted to have made the allegation while addressing the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes (Market Leaders) in Remoland at his senatorial office in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area.

The senator was reacting to allegations by a former APC governorship aspirant that the former failed to refund campaign expenses incurred by other contestants after his emergence as the party’s consensus candidate.

Mr Adeola described the alleged demand for campaign reimbursement as insulting, saying it suggested that the aspirant’s participation in the governorship race was motivated by financial expectations rather than commitment to the state development.

The APC governorship candidate said he had met with the former aspirant during his reconciliation visits because he believed the person genuinely desired to serve the state, but later concluded that the interest was driven by personal gain.

He said that the former aspirant later defected from the APC and aligned with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate.

“Their intention is driven by personal interest and not the interest of Ogun State. Their intention is clear. They don’t mean well for our dear state. They are bitter. They are looking for the state purse. One of them said I offended her. She said I reneged on promises. She said she joined the governorship race and failed and wants me to refund her expenses” Mr Adeola said.

The APC candidate also dismissed the legal challenge against his emergence, alleging that his political opponents were behind the suit and expressed confidence that it would not succeed.

Mr Adeola argued that politicians who defected to other parties after May 10 were ineligible to contest the forthcoming governorship election, citing existing legal provisions and court judgments.

He also questioned the legal standing of the PDP in Ogun State, contending that the party was still battling with unresolved leadership disputes.

Earlier, President of the Council of Iyalajes and Babaalajes in Remoland, Olufunke Oyelaja, pledged the group’s support for Mr Adeola’s governorship bid.

Ms Oyelaja, who acknowledge Mr Adeola’s contributions to the development of the state, cited his empowerment programmes and construction of modern markets for traders.

 (NAN)