Prominent political stakeholders in Ogun State have dismissed reports alleging that chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to adopt consensus governorship aspirants for South-West states, describing the claims as unfounded and misleading.
The report had named Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Ogun West); and Senator Sharafadeen Alli as preferred consensus aspirants for their respective states.
Reacting on Wednesday, stakeholders said the report reflected personal opinions designed to discourage other aspirants from pursuing their ambitions ahead of future governorship contests.
They maintained that any attempt to impose candidates through informal arrangements would fail, stressing that the amended Electoral Act clearly outlines procedures for the emergence of consensus candidates within political parties.
A political stakeholder, Akin Ogunsanwo, described the report as the handiwork of individuals opposed to an open and transparent process, adding that the President was not physically present at the alleged meeting.
Ogunsanwo expressed concern that what he described as a routine courtesy visit to congratulate the President after Ramadan was being misrepresented to promote “toxic narratives” aimed at discouraging aspirants.
Similarly, an Abeokuta-based stakeholder, Adio Opeloyeru, said inconsistencies in the report cast doubt on its credibility. He added that the President would not support any consensus arrangement without broad consultation involving state party leaders and aspirants.
He criticised the alleged involvement of Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, accusing him of promoting Senator Adeola’s acceptance in Ogun politics. According to Opeloyeru, previous efforts to advance such a position had already met resistance among key stakeholders in the state.
Opeloyeru also dismissed claims regarding Governor Dapo Abiodun’s succession plans as speculative and lacking factual basis, noting that no such discussions had been held with political stakeholders.
In a related development, the Ogun West Renaissance Movement, through its coordinator, Amos Adegbite, rejected what it described as attempts to impose an “imported politician” on the Yewa people.
The group stated that despite one of its sons being mentioned in the report, it would only support a candidate who emerges through a transparent and democratic party primary process.
The OWRM reaffirmed its commitment to an open contest, insisting that voters in the state would resist any external attempt to impose candidates outside established democratic procedures.
Source: NewsDirect
