~ Aspirants warn against imposition, demand open contest for Ogun Central Senate ticket
Fresh cracks have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun Central Senatorial District following the rejection of Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu’s endorsement as the party’s consensus senatorial candidate by four prominent aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections.
The aspirants, Senator Lanre Tejuoso, Senator Olugbenga Obadara, former Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Emmanuel Sofela, and business mogul Muraina Banjoko (Threeco), openly rejected the decision announced by Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Ogun Central APC Stakeholders’ Meeting held on Thursday at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta.
The development has intensified concerns over possible internal divisions within the ruling party in Ogun Central, a district widely regarded as politically strategic ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Before announcing Senator Salisu as the consensus candidate, Governor Abiodun reportedly appealed to party members and stakeholders to support the incumbent senator in the interest of party unity.
“Nobody is perfect,” the governor said, while acknowledging that every political office holder possesses both strengths and weaknesses.
However, the appeal was met with visible resistance from several party members and stakeholders at the venue, many of whom openly rejected what they described as an attempt to impose a candidate on the district.
Our correspondent’s accounts indicated that aggrieved party loyalists protested the endorsement and later left the gathering angrily, insisting that Ogun Central deserved a transparent, competitive process that would allow all aspirants equal opportunity.
Speaking shortly after the meeting, Senator Tejuoso described the endorsement as unacceptable and contrary to democratic principles.
“We should allow APC members in Ogun Central to decide who their candidate will be,” he said.
Senator Obadara was more direct in his reaction, describing the move as morally indefensible.
“It’s not in any way supported by us. It’s against morality and against our discussion at the last meeting.
“We are totally rejecting the decision to endorse Senator Salisu. That’s the decision of the four of us”, he stated.
On his part, Emmanuel Sofela argued that democracy must reflect the will of the people.
“We are practicing democracy. As aspirants, we are expressing our desire to serve our people.
“If the preponderance of people in Ogun Central are saying they do not want someone to continue representing them, what more evidence is needed?” he queried.
Also aligning with the other aspirants, Otunba Banjoko questioned the legitimacy of the endorsement process.
“I was in a meeting last night from around 1:30 to 2 a.m., and it was inconclusive”.
“Our people wondered why they went ahead to endorse someone today and raise their hands”, he said.
Premier World News reports that the united front displayed by the four aspirants signals a potentially significant political realignment within Ogun Central APC.
Premier World News also notes that the influence and grassroots structures controlled by Tejuoso, Obadara, Sofela and Banjoko could create serious internal turbulence for the party if unresolved before the elections.
The four figures remain influential political actors with longstanding networks across Ogun Central and party members warn that prolonged disagreement within the bloc could weaken APC’s hold on the senatorial district and potentially create openings for opposition parties.
Premier World News further notes that the situation may test the party’s capacity to manage internal conflicts, especially as consensus arrangements continue to spark debate across various political zones in Ogun State.
The controversy surrounding Salisu’s endorsement comes amid broader political recalibrations within the Ogun APC following the emergence of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as the party’s consensus governorship candidate.
While party leaders have consistently emphasized unity and cohesion, the latest resistance in Ogun Central suggests that negotiations and reconciliation efforts may still be required to maintain stability within the party ahead of the 2027 polls.
Premier World News also gathered that stakeholders within the APC are expected to continue consultations in the coming days to prevent further escalation and preserve party unity in the district.
