Ogun APC Declares Yayi Sole Governor Candidate, Dismisses Rival's Claims

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has officially declared Senator Solomon Adeola, widely known as Yayi, as the sole governorship candidate for the 2027 general election. This official statement, signed by the party's state chairman Chief Yemi Sanusi on Sunday, directly contradicts the claims made by Abayomi Hunye, who has been insisting he is the APC's flagbearer.

The party didn't mince words, calling Hunye's assertions "false" and urging all party faithful, supporters, and the general public to disregard them entirely. This clarification comes amidst a growing public spat. A prominent APC chieftain and former federal lawmaker in Ogun State, Kayode Oladele, also criticised Hunye. Oladele labelled Hunye's persistent pursuit of the governorship ticket, including the recent unveiling of a running mate, as an "exercise in futility." He stated that the APC has already finalised its nomination process and submitted Senator Adeola's name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Hunye, however, held a press briefing in Abeokuta on Saturday. He not only dismissed reports of him withdrawing from the race but also revealed that he is currently in court challenging the primary election that produced Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) as the APC's governorship candidate. He went further by unveiling Otunba Abayomi Odunowo from Ijebu-Ode as his running mate and declared his intention to continue his campaign across the state, strictly following electoral laws.

But the ruling party was quick to respond, issuing a clear statement on Sunday. "For the avoidance of doubt, the Ogun State APC wishes to state clearly that Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, is the duly recognised governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State for the 2027 election," the statement read. The party backed this up with figures, stating that Adeola emerged from the party's governorship primary with a landslide victory. He secured 304,055 votes out of the 305,287 accredited voters who participated in the exercise. Following his emergence, Senator Adeola had indeed selected Mrs. Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun as his running mate, and their names have since been officially submitted to INEC.

The Ogun State APC has therefore formally distanced itself from any claims or declarations by Abayomi Semako Hunye, or any other individual, that suggest a different governorship candidate. The party stressed that the public should rely solely on official communications from the Ogun APC and relevant electoral authorities. "Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI) is the APC candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election," the statement emphatically concluded.

Interestingly, a statement from Hunye's media office later denied that he had ever declared himself the governorship candidate. Instead, it maintained that he was merely stating the legal position on the matter, which he believes is still subject to judicial determination. "For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Abayomi Hunye has never declared himself the APC Governorship Candidate. His position has consistently been clear: the matter remains before a court of competent jurisdiction, and the issues surrounding the emergence of the party’s governorship candidate are still subject to judicial determination," the statement read. This suggests the legal battle is far from over.

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, fondly called Yayi, has had a notable political career. He's served as a senator representing Lagos West Senatorial District before his current pursuit of the Ogun State governorship. His political trajectory has often been marked by strong grassroots support and significant electoral victories, making him a formidable figure within the APC.

Abayomi Hunye, on the other hand, has been a vocal figure within Ogun State politics, often championing alternative perspectives within the APC structure. His challenge to Yayi's candidacy highlights internal party dynamics and the complexities of electoral processes, especially when legal disputes arise.

This internal conflict within the Ogun APC comes as parties across Nigeria gear up for the 2027 general elections. The disputes over candidacies and electoral processes underscore the often-turbulent nature of political party nominations and the importance of judicial oversight in resolving such conflicts. This ensures that the democratic process adheres to legal frameworks.