“Aunty Iyabo, Grow Up”, Senator Adeola Tackles Fmr. President Obasanjo’s Daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo

By Adesina Soyooye

“Senator Yayi will not descend to engage in petty politics with a Diaspora- returnee whose contribution to progressive politics is near nil”

In the past few days since  Professor Iyabo Obasanjo, a daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, re-entered politics after a 15-year absence, she has been talking tough, literally hitting out from all cylinders. She has hauled very uncomplimentary words at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a party under which she was a Commissioner for Health in her Ogun State, and a one-term Senator. She dismissed the party as useless and its leadership as unserious and idiots.

She, also, descended on Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popular  as YAYI, and dismissed him as a political prostitute.

Now, Senator Adeola has decided to pay her back in her own coins and both directly and indirectly, asked her to learn the ropes in politics, and more important, grow up.

Following is the full text of his response through an Aide.

“My attention has been drawn to Senator Iyabo Obasanjo’s recent statement on a radio programme, labelling my principal, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, YAYI, an opportunist.

“While I find it surprising that a politician of her stature would resort to cheap personal attacks to find undue relevance, I also see it as a show of pedestrian politicking that someone of her status would be willing to toe such a flimsy path in the serious business of development politics.

“I would like to remind Senator Obasanjo that any son or daughter of Ogun State who has had the privilege to serve outside the state has the inalienable right to return home and serve his or her people whenever they deem fit, and Senator YAYI’s own won’t be an exception. If anyone who abandoned her state for personal pursuits for about 15 years is bittered, jittery or upset about that, we cannot but be amused at unwarranted tantrums.

“Senator YAYI has consistently demonstrated his commitment to Ogun West and indeed Ogun State, participating as a prominent stalwart in her progressive politics since 2011. His political weight and influence have contributed immensely to the successes recorded by the APC in the last two general elections from the senatorial district and beyond.

‘If being an opportunist has caused huge development in the infrastructure of Ogun West in recent years and other parts of the state, then maybe it’s safe to say many politicians need to join the fray of being opportunistic like Senator YAYI, so as to better serve their constituents and their state.

“In the last decade, Senator YAYI has facilitated numerous infrastructure projects, including hundreds of classrooms, primary health centres, roads, solar street lights, donation of electricity transformers, and markets, amongst others, in Ogun West, earning him the respect of many.

“Aunty Iyabo  should please focus on your own political journey rather than attacking others – this is very honest counsel that anyone can give you at this time.

“As a new member of the APC, it is morally expected that Senator Obasanjo should adopt a more constructive approach, leaving her old party’s brigandage politics behind. Again, my advice to her is to calm down and engage in healthy competition. If she wishes to contest the APC governorship ticket, as reported, she should start learning the ropes of progressive politics, mobilise for the party, and warm up for the contest ahead, rather than resorting to personality attacks or petty displays of jittery.

“Senator YAYI remains committed to serving Ogun State and its people, and this he has continued to do for more than a decade as a participating member of the progressive party, APC.

“His strides as a Senator representing Ogun West are a huge reference that politics should be centred around the development of the people and not infighting or mudslinging.

Senator Yayi remain focused on delivering on his senatorial mandate for now and will not descend to engage in petty politics with a Diaspora returnee whose contribution to progressive politics is near nil.”