Ogun Arewa communities have called on their members in the state to close ranks across ethnic, religious and political lines and support efforts aimed at promoting Professor Iyabo Obasanjo’s political ambitions and Ladi Adebutu for Ogun Central and state development and stability in the coming general elections.

The group also passed a vote of confidence in Prof. Obasanjo’s ambitions to become thr Ogun Central Senator, citing her good antecedent during her tenure as state Commissioner for Health, and Senator represented the Central in 2007.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by its Chairman, Mobilising Committee, Mr. Ibrahim Tanko, the group cautioned Senator, representing Ogun West, and All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola against actions and rehetorics incitement capable of political violence in the state.

He stressed that Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo was a woman of uncommon courage, resilience, and integrity in all ramifications, noting that she could not ask for any campaign refund, which had not started according to the 1999 electoral act as amended.

“It is a blackmailing and campaign of calumny for anyone to have said that Iyabo Obasanjo is requesting or demanding for campaign refund, which according to the statement had not been started, instead, they should prioritise constructive criticism as an essential part of democracy.

“We remain committed and resolute with Prof. Obasanjo’s ambitions to become Ogun Central Senator, as well as Hon. Ladi Adebutu to become the Ogun state governor, as both have represented the state well at the red chambers, respectively,” the Arewa Mobilising Committee Chairman said.

He urged Arewa communities and others in the state to embrace common purpose of supporting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and all its candidates, rather than allowing intruder and non-indigenes to cajole and persuade them to his camp through money bag syndrome.

“Today, more than ever before, Arewa Communities in the must rise above money monger syndrome, cajole and campaign of calumny, so as to embrace a common vision of a united, prosperous and progressive Ogun state,” he said.

He added that "Yayi" were only looking for relevance by tagging Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo to his misfortune and campaign of calumny, noting that Ogun Central Senatorial candidate of PDP, couldn’t in anyway requested for refund of campaign that has not started.

Meanwhile, the women leaders of Liberty group, Iya Afin, Amoke Agunbiade has dissociated its group from a purported report endorsing Senator Solomon Adeola by its members for the state governorship candidate, noting that Hon. Jelili Kayode Amusan has no right to criticise Ladi Adebutu for contesting for the position via Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The women's leader stated that it was imperative to endorse “Ogun for Ogun,” not “Lagos for Ogun,” saying that Ogun State should vote for the indigene candidates instead of voting for non-indigene in the next coming elections.

According to Iya Afin Agunbiade, “It will not be under our watch that a non-indigene will be governing us. After Dapo Abiodun, they came to us through Hon. Amusan, but left us without addressing germane issues, even our leaders too, tell us not to ask questions, that’s why most of us jettisoned his camp and collapsed it to Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo’s political movement.

“Though, we will be tactical and strategic but we shouldn’t pay attention to those that are not necessary. We are a group and free to take any position just like every other group. We are not God, we are human but where we are today, we are supporting people from Ogun, not alien. It will be an insult to us in this state when we have sons and daughters, no ‘Atohunrinwa’ (stranger) will come, they will wreck our State if we allow it.”

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