- Political debates heat up over his candidacy due to his marriage to an Igbo woman and his children's names
- Young Yoruba citizens criticised Adeoye’s choice of spouse, raising questions about his connection to Yoruba culture
- The backlash to Adeoye echoes wider discussions, including the controversy around other prominent political figures with non-Yoruba spouses
The governorship aspirations of Beulah Adeoye, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, have sparked a storm on social media, particularly among young Yoruba individuals in the Southwest.
The 43-year-old businessman and politician, married to Ifeoma, an Igbo woman, has faced backlash over his marriage and the names given to his children.
Although Adeoye has not formally announced his intention to contest the Oyo State governorship election, there has been increasing speculation about his political ambitions, with many believing he is positioning himself to vie for the seat currently held by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Makinde is also married to a woman from a different ethnic group, Tamunominini, a Kalabari from the Niger Delta.
Adeoye’s recent social media posts have only intensified the scrutiny. One of his first messages in 2025 stated, “As we navigate our shared vision for Oyo State, I am not entering this journey lightly. Leadership demands not only vision but also integrity, competence, and a willingness to engage with the complexities of governance.”
However, this message was met with severe criticism, with many respondents questioning his suitability for the role based on his choice of spouse.
On social media platform X, numerous users expressed displeasure at Adeoye’s decision to marry an Igbo woman, suggesting that it undermined his connection to Yoruba culture.
@EsugbayiEleko commented, “You deliberately sidelined your Yoruba heritage by giving your children only Igbo names, erasing the Yoruba identity in your lineage.”
Other responses followed suit, questioning his candidacy and expressing disdain over the prospect of an Igbo woman becoming the First Lady of Oyo State.
@funshographix remarked, “You’re a Yoruba man, you married from Igbo ethnicity. In our culture, the kids must bear Yoruba name, instead, you gave them Igbo names. The irony is you want to contest as governor in Oyo State.”
Further fuelling the controversy, some critics pointed to a Nollywood movie, Seven Doors, where a Yoruba king made an Igbo woman his queen.
This fictional scenario became a focal point for those opposing Adeoye’s aspirations, claiming it mirrored the political situation at hand.
This wave of resistance to non-Yoruba First Ladies appears to be a reaction to comments made by Betty Akeredolu, the former First Lady of Ondo State, who is married to an Igbo man.
In a now-infamous post, she referred to Yoruba people as “Ofemmanu” or “palm oil soup people” in a derogatory exchange online.
The backlash from the Yoruba community was swift and intense, and some believe this incident has led to a growing sense of unease regarding political figures from Yoruba backgrounds who are married to women of other ethnicities.
Despite the criticism, some have defended Adeoye and his aspirations. Ridwan Fasasi, Adeoye’s Chief of Staff, acknowledged the backlash but declined to comment further, stating that Adeoye would address the issue upon his return from an overseas trip.
Critics have also taken aim at other political figures, such as Dotun Sanusi, the Jagun Olubadan of Ibadanland, whose own political future may be impacted by his marriage to an Igbo woman.
The same sentiments have been extended to Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, after a group endorsed him as a potential 2027 gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State.
Seyi’s wife, partly of Igbo descent, has become another focal point for the ongoing discourse.
The ongoing debate highlights the complex intersection of culture, politics, and identity in contemporary Nigerian governance.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Adeoye’s aspirations will evolve in the face of growing social media opposition.
2027: Seyi Tinubu, senator, deputy gov emerge as frontrunners to succeed Sanwo-Olu
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the race for the Lagos State governorship in 2027 is heating up, with three prominent figures emerging as frontrunners to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
According to a report by ThisDay, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, and businessman Seyi Tinubu are all vying for the influential position.
