Senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popular known as Yayi, has recounted how some political forces initially resisted his return to his Ogun West base.
He said his return to the politics of his home state of Ogun after about 20 years of representing Lagos in different political positions was not a smooth ride as he had to battle with serious opposition from even his own kinsmen.
The lawmaker, who is now seeking to represent Ogun West at the Senate in 2022, spoke on Saturday in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, shortly after the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, conferred him with the prestigious chieftaincy title of Aremo of Yewaland.
The event was part of the activities to round off the 10th year coronation anniversary of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle.
Elated Yayi told newsmen at the event that it was tough battle he fought to be accepted back home by his kinsmen and the political forces in the area.
The Senator, however, expressed delight that inspite of the initial challenges he faced, the situation “is now as smooth as ever” as he had been embraced by his kinsmen, who have also been very supportive of his political aspiration.
Recall that last week, a group presented Yayi with the N20million APC Senatorial nomination form, a gesture Which made him to betray emotions and shed tears.
According to him, such a gesture “was least expected. When I made my initial approach to return home, I was faced with a lot of challenges from my people.
“Now, if my people now turn around and appreciate me to the extent of putting money together to buy my form for me, I believe it is a big deal and I sincerely appreciate them. We started rough but now it’s as smooth as ever.”
On the Aremo of Yewaland title bestowed on him by the paramount ruler of Yewaland, the lawmaker said it was in appreciation of his contribution to the development of the area.
Yayi said, “I strongly believe that this chieftaincy title is not politically motivated. I just believe it is in appreciation and the belief in me by my people that I can do everything that’s humanly possible to contribute my own quota to the development of the land.
“So, when it comes to politics, I strongly believe that that is a different ball game and different terrain entirely.”
He assured that if elected Senator for Ogun West in 2023, he would leverage on his experience as a ranking member of the National Assembly to bring meaningful developments and more dividends of democracy to the people of the area.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, in his remarks on the occasion, urged Senator Adeola and the others honoured along with him to see their new chieftaincy titles as a call to duty, saying they must not disappoint their kinsmen.
The governor also felicitated the Yewa paramount ruler on his tenth anniversary of his ascending the throne.
Some dignitaries who attended the event included Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Noimot Salako – Oyedele; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Babafemi Hamzat; former Ogun State governors, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel; the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Akarigbo and paramount ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi; the Agura of Gbagura, Oba Saburee Bakre; members of the National Assembly, and chieftains of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Others at the ceremony were Senators Tokunbo Abiru(Lagos East), Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), Ibrahim Oloriegbe(Kwara Central), Ayo Akinyelure( Ondo Central), Aderele Oriolowo(Osun West) and Ibrahim Hadejia (Jigawa North East).