The Eselu of Eseluland, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has urged political parties, the media and civil society organisations to thoroughly scrutinise governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 election before succeeding the incumbent, Dapo Abiodun.

Oba Akinyemi spoke on Saturday with journalists during the housewarming ceremony of his private residence in Abeokuta.

The traditional ruler of Eseluland in Yewa North Local Government said scrutiny must go beyond political affiliation, ethnicity, and zoning to cover candidates’ competence, track records, and family backgrounds.

He noted that the quality of leadership that emerges in 2027 would determine the future of the state.

He also waded into the lingering crisis surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary, involving two Yewa sons, Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and Abayomi Hunye.

He urged the APC leadership to urgently establish a dispute resolution committee to address Mr Hunye’s grievances over the primary.

He warned that allowing the disagreement to fester could further divide the party and embarrass the region. 

Mr Hunye, who contested the APC governorship ticket against Mr Adeola, has challenged the outcome of the primary in court, alleging irregularities in the process.

Oba Akinyemi, who described Messrs Adeola and Hunye as his subjects, said political leaders should bring the two aspirants together and resolve their differences in the interest of the state.

“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.

“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,” he said.

He said he had been following the controversy, describing it as a situation of “agitation and counter-agitation” which required urgent intervention by the APC leadership. 

He also questioned the reported zero vote credited to Mr Hunye at the governorship primary, saying the figure required explanation.

“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 also vote for Yayi? That’s not possible. So, that one vote, where is it? Who stole it?” he said.

The traditional ruler, however, cautioned against pre-judging the dispute, noting that the matter was already before the court.

He urged the APC to address the grievances through its internal mechanisms while allowing the judicial process to determine the legal issues surrounding the primary.

Oba Akinyemi said the agitation for Ogun West to produce the next governor was legitimate, given years of political marginalisation, but stressed that the demand should not compromise competence.

He insisted that the 2027 elections should be about choosing a governor capable of delivering good governance rather than a contest driven solely by political parties or ethnic considerations.

“Yes, Yewa is expected to have the government because we have been marginalised. You cannot erase that fact, but don’t sacrifice competence for zoning,” he said.

Oba Akinyemi called on the media and civil society organisations to thoroughly investigate every governorship candidate before the election.

He 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, whoever wants to take over from the governor, we should put 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.”

(NAN)