Former Nigerian Ambassador to Zambia and Malawi, Folake Marcus-Bello, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, of making conflicting declarations about his state of origin, challenging him to carry out his threat to sue her.

Marcus-Bello, who is also South-West Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleged that documents existed showing that Adeola had at different times claimed links to Ekiti, Lagos and Ogun states, an allegation she said raised questions about declarations he had made in the past.

Adeola had earlier given Marcus-Bello and Abayomi Hunye 24 hours to substantiate allegations that he is an indigene of Ekiti State or face legal action, describing their claims as false and libellous.

His media adviser, Kayode Odunaro, said the allegations concerning the senator and his family had been made on national television without evidence.

But speaking during a television programme monitored on Sunday, Marcus-Bello said she had yet to receive any court papers and insisted she was prepared to defend her allegations.

“I am a legal practitioner and I am still waiting to be sued,” she said.

Marcus-Bello alleged that employment records from Adeola’s period at The Guardian Newspapers identified Ekiti as his state of origin.

“The very first time he went to work at The Guardian… your forms in Guardian say you are from Ekiti,” she alleged.

She further claimed that Adeola subsequently identified with Lagos, where he built his earlier political career, before moving politically to Ogun State.

Adeola served in the Lagos State House of Assembly before representing Lagos West in the Senate from 2015 to 2023. He currently represents Ogun West in the Senate and is the APC governorship candidate in Ogun State for the 2027 election.

Marcus-Bello argued that the alleged inconsistencies should be subjected to judicial scrutiny.

“There is something about lying on oath, which is perjury,” she said, alleging that Adeola had made conflicting declarations about his origin.

She, however, acknowledged that Nigerians were constitutionally free to live and pursue legitimate interests anywhere in the country, but maintained that the controversy surrounding Adeola’s ancestry should be resolved with documentary evidence.

Marcus-Bello also challenged the senator to a public debate on the issue.

Her latest comments deepen a controversy that has followed Adeola’s emergence as the APC candidate, with some political opponents questioning his Ogun ancestry.

Adeola has rejected the allegations and threatened legal action against Marcus-Bello and Hunye, demanding that they produce evidence to substantiate their claims.

Marcus-Bello also levelled allegations of financial impropriety against the senator, claiming that some federal projects and funds intended for other parts of the country were redirected to Ogun State while he chaired the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

She did not, however, present the documents during the programme, and the allegations have not been independently established.

“There are so many documents to show financial impropriety, especially at Senate level,” she claimed.

She also questioned Adeola’s source of wealth, alleging that his political spending was not matched by publicly known business interests.

Marcus-Bello further accused the Ogun State Government and APC supporters of frustrating opposition activities, including allegedly removing PDP campaign posters.

The claims were not independently verified.

The ancestry dispute has intensified in recent days. Adeola had demanded evidence from Marcus-Bello and Hunye within 24 hours, while PDP governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu subsequently joined the controversy, challenging Adeola to sue him as well and claiming he had evidence to support questions raised about the senator’s Ogun origin.

Marcus-Bello said the courts should ultimately determine the veracity of the competing claims.

“I am waiting for the court documents,” she said. (The Sun, but headline rejigged)