Ogun APC Confirms Yayi's 2027 Governorship Candidacy, Rejects Opposing Declarations

The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially re-established Senator Solomon Adeola, widely recognized as Yayi, as its chosen governorship candidate for the upcoming 2027 general elections. This clarification was issued in a statement on Sunday by the party's state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi. The party's announcement directly addressed claims made by Abayomi Hunye, who had asserted his own candidacy for the APC governorship ticket. The Ogun APC firmly dismissed Hunye's assertions as baseless, urging its members, supporters, and the general public to disregard them.

Adding to the party's position, Kayode Oladele, a prominent APC chieftain and former federal lawmaker from Ogun State, publicly criticized Hunye. Oladele's disapproval focused on Hunye's persistent pursuit of the 2027 governorship ticket and his recent unveiling of a running mate. In his own statement released on Sunday, Oladele characterized Hunye's actions as a 'futile exercise,' stressing that the APC had already concluded its nomination process and submitted Adeola's name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Conversely, during a press briefing held in Abeokuta on Saturday, Hunye refuted reports of his withdrawal from the gubernatorial contest. He stated that he had initiated legal proceedings to challenge the process through which Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, or Yayi, emerged as the APC's governorship candidate. Furthermore, Hunye introduced Otunba Abayomi Odunowo from Ijebu-Ode as his chosen running mate, affirming his intention to continue his statewide campaign in adherence to electoral laws.

Nonetheless, the ruling party, in its Sunday declaration, unequivocally stated: “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 party further elaborated that Adeola secured his candidacy through the governorship primary, garnering 304,055 votes from a total of 305,287 accredited participants.

Subsequent to his successful primary bid, Senator Adeola selected Mrs. Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun as his running mate. The APC confirmed that both Adeola's and Adegunwa-Balogun's names have since been officially forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be registered as its governorship candidate and deputy for the 2027 election.

Consequently, the party formally distanced itself from Hunye's assertions and any other pronouncements that might suggest an alternative governorship candidate. Its statement affirmed: “The Ogun State APC therefore dissociates itself from any contrary claim or declaration by Abayomi Semako Hunye or any other individual purporting to be the party’s governorship candidate.”

The APC advised the public to exclusively trust official communications originating from the Ogun APC and pertinent electoral bodies regarding this matter. The statement concluded by reiterating: “Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI) is the APC candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.”

However, a statement from Hunye's media office clarified that he had not declared himself as the party's governorship candidate. Instead, he was merely articulating the legal standing concerning the party's gubernatorial candidate for the state. The statement specifically read: “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.”