Ogun APC Unified and Stronger Ahead of 2027 as Yayi Declared Flag Bearer — Abiodun

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election held across Ogun State’s 20 local government areas concluded with Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, known as Yayi, emerging as the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 governorship contest.

The exercise, which saw record participation from party members throughout the state, was widely described as peaceful, orderly and free from violence or disruption.

After taking part in the primary at Ward 3, Iperu 1, in Ikenne Local Government Area, Governor Dapo Abiodun revealed that more than 700 aspirants had initially expressed interest in contesting various elective positions under the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the governor, the party carried out extensive consultations and consensus‑building to select credible candidates while maintaining unity within its ranks.

“In Ogun State, we have done things differently. We ensured extensive consultations with the leadership of our party across the state constituencies and local governments to build consensus around candidates, even while acknowledging that we have many brilliant and eminent party members capable of occupying those positions,” Abiodun said.

“So, we undertook a rigorous exercise to screen over 700 aspirants and engage with their leaders. The idea was to identify the best candidates for each election. Having done that, we reached out to those who were not eventually selected and ensured they were accommodated politically.”

The governor emphasized that the process was deliberately designed to promote inclusiveness and strengthen party cohesion, noting that no aspirant was forced to step down.

“The essence is to ensure that nobody feels defeated. There is no winner and no vanquished. Everyone is given a sense of belonging, and that is reflected in the fact that in many of our elections, we now have consensus candidates because others voluntarily accepted the decisions and rallied round the chosen aspirants,” he added.

Abiodun explained that the consensus‑building template helped reduce tension, bitterness and disunity within the APC in Ogun State, positioning the party strongly ahead of the next general elections.

He also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing leadership that has positively impacted the party nationwide, and APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda for reforms that have repositioned the ruling party.

“The Electoral Act was amended, and in line with that amendment, primaries can either be conducted through consensus or direct primaries. What you have witnessed in the last one week is democracy at its best, where government is truly by the people and for the people,” the governor stated.

Abiodun further noted that the direct primary process promotes inclusiveness by allowing registered party members at the ward level to openly exercise their franchise through the queue system.

“I was a beneficiary of direct primaries in 2019, and I believe it always reflects the wishes and aspirations of the people,” he said.

The governor applauded party faithful and aspirants who willingly submitted themselves to the process, describing them as loyal and dependable stakeholders committed to the continued growth of the APC in Ogun State.

“Nobody was forced; there was no form of duress. People were engaged, and they saw reasons why the party must remain stronger and more united. Today, our party is much bigger than it was when I contested in 2019,” he added.

Abiodun also commended the state leadership of the APC for working closely with the national headquarters to ensure peaceful, fair and transparent primaries across the state, emphasizing that no incident of violence was recorded during the exercise.

“This is how we want our party to be defined in Ogun State – a state where peace reigns, where we know how to manage ourselves with selflessness. Ogun remains the birthplace of democracy in Nigeria, and we are sustaining that legacy,” he said.

Announcing the result for Ward 3, Iperu 1, the Returning Officer for the governorship primary election in Ikenne Local Government Area, Dr. Femi Akinbile, disclosed that the ward had 837 registered members, of which 832 were accredited for the exercise.

According to him, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola polled 829 votes, while no other aspirant contested the governorship primary in the ward.