The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has cautioned politicians and their supporters against engaging in mockery and personal attacks, urging more respectful political discourse ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the monarch called for unity among political stakeholders in Ogun West and across the state, stressing that cooperation would be crucial to electoral success.
He specifically appealed to critics of Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, a member of the House of Representatives representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, who recently declared his intention to contest the Ogun State governorship in 2027.
Isiaka’s declaration has drawn criticism from some quarters, with detractors describing him as a “serial contestant” due to his previous unsuccessful governorship bids since 2011.
Responding to the criticism, Oba Akinyemi defended the lawmaker, noting that his continued relevance in Ogun politics reflects resilience and experience rather than failure. He added that Isiaka’s contributions to infrastructure, including roads, schools, healthcare, and security facilities in his constituency, should be acknowledged.
The monarch also cited historical examples to support his position, referencing Muhammadu Buhari, who won the presidency after multiple attempts, and Abraham Lincoln, who achieved electoral success after several defeats.
He further recalled the 2019 Ogun governorship election, where Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress won with 241,670 votes, defeating Adekunle Akinlade of the APM and Isiaka of the ADC.
According to the monarch, a potential alliance between Isiaka and Akinlade at the time could have significantly altered the outcome of the election.
Oba Akinyemi also commended Isiaka for his political conduct during the 2019 election, particularly his respect for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was then the national leader of the APC.
He concluded by urging political actors to stop ridiculing Isiaka and instead recognize the persistence of those who have consistently sought to lead the state, calling on national and state leaders to foster unity ahead of the 2027 polls.
