Hunye welcomes Yayi's lawsuit threat over Ekiti ancestry claims

A member of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Abayomi Hunye, has responded positively to the threat from the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola. Yayi, as he is popularly known, threatened legal action over claims about his alleged roots in Ekiti State.

Adeola has given Hunye and a Peoples Democratic Party leader, Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello, 24 hours to prove their claims that he is from Ekiti State or face court action.

But Hunye, through his media aide, Femi Oyewale, said on Tuesday that he is ready to meet Adeola in court. He insists he has documents to back up his claims.

Hunye also mentioned that there is already a legal case regarding the disputed ancestry. He called Adeola’s 24-hour ultimatum a political move aimed at gaining public attention.

“We want to state clearly that we welcome the threat of a lawsuit with open arms. We are fully prepared to meet Senator Adeola in a court that has the power to decide,” the statement says.

“Interestingly, it seems they are not well informed that the matter is already in court. Threatening us with a lawsuit is just a political gimmick meant to create noise in the public,” the statement continued.

Hunye accused the senator of trying to scare those questioning his roots and ability to run for governor.

“For too long, the political environment in Ogun West has been marked by intimidation and suppression of truth through media spin and sponsored attacks,” he said.

He called Adeola’s 24-hour ultimatum and legal threats “a familiar distraction tactic” and “a media trick to silence opposing voices and avoid being held accountable.”

Hunye stated that a candidate’s origin and eligibility is a matter of public interest, especially with the 2027 elections coming up.

“The issue of a candidate’s origin and eligibility is a constitutional matter, not a private issue. It affects the integrity of our democracy and the hopes of the good people of Ogun State. They deserve a leader whose background and loyalty are clearly local.”

He also challenged Adeola to take the matter to court instead of dragging it through the media.

“Truth is a solid defence against libel. Instead of making empty threats and showing off on national television, Senator Adeola should save his energy and go to court right away,” Hunye said.

He promised to provide what he called “strong, verifiable facts and documents” about his claims regarding Adeola’s roots if the case goes to court.

“The courtroom is where proof is tested, not in newspapers or on sponsored TV interviews,” he added.

This situation is the latest twist in the debate over Adeola’s ancestry as political activities ramp up for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.

Adeola, who represents Ogun West in the Senate, has called the claims about his background false and damaging. He has demanded that Hunye and Marcus-Bello provide proof.

Adeola’s media adviser, Kayode Odunaro, stated on Tuesday that the two made their claims during different appearances on Channels Television without providing any evidence.

Adeola’s camp has said the allegation is not new and has been used against him in previous political campaigns.

Recently, traditional leaders in Kemta, Ogun State, confirmed Adeola’s ties to the community.

The Oluwo of Kemta and Baaye of Egbaland, Chief Abayomi Rotimi, declared at a press conference that Adeola is indeed a son of the community.

“Yayi is one of us. He is our son. We have different political parties here. We accept whoever is our son and whoever comes to us for help,” Rotimi said.

He also warned against letting political differences disrupt traditional matters. Rotimi dismissed claims that the Ile Ogboni of Kemta was closed due to Adeola’s relationship with the community, calling those reports false and politically motivated.