- Westo Adekunle Adejumo | Premier World News
A fresh political realignment has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, as no fewer than 22 party leaders and stakeholders unanimously endorsed Engr. Jamiu Oduayo Ogundele, popularly known as JAMSALOD, as their preferred consensus candidate for the State House of Assembly seat ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development comes barely a week after another faction within the party staged a solidarity rally in support of the return of the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Akingbade Jemili, for a fourth term in the Ogun State House of Assembly.
The latest endorsement, led by former Commissioner for Information, Dr. Dele Ogunsiji, openly rejected the proposed return of Jemili, arguing that the constituency deserves political renewal and greater youth inclusion.
The stakeholders maintained that allowing a fourth-term return would contradict the principles of fairness, democratic accountability, and generational balance within the party.
“Democracy thrives when power is renewed, when leaders are accountable and when no one is made to appear indispensable”, the communiqué stated.
The leaders described their endorsement of Ogundele as a strategic move aimed at preserving party unity while responding to growing agitation among youths seeking broader political participation.
According to the communiqué issued after a stakeholders’ meeting held on May 6, 2026, at the residence of Dr. Ogunsiji, the endorsement followed extensive deliberations across the three zones of the constituency.
The group cited several factors behind their decision, including: youth representation, grassroots acceptance, respect for party structures, inclusivity, community service and development initiatives.
The communiqué praised Ogundele as:
“A capable young leader whose emergence reflects our collective resolve to give youths a sense of belonging in politics and governance”.
The leaders further noted that Ogundele had demonstrated commitment to education, healthcare, youth empowerment and infrastructure development despite not holding public office.
The stakeholders appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola to endorse and support Ogundele’s candidacy.
They commended Governor Abiodun for what they described as his maturity and leadership in facilitating the emergence of Yayi as the APC’s consensus governorship candidate.
“Your Excellency brought together party leaders, key stakeholders, and various aspirants, ensuring fairness, consultation.and inclusivity”, the communiqué read.
The leaders also pledged total support for Yayi’s governorship ambition in 2027, promising to mobilize voters across Imeko-Afon for the APC.
The endorsement signals deepening political contestation within the Imeko-Afon APC ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly over the debate between continuity and generational transition.
Premier World News reports that the emergence of Ogundele as a consensus-backed aspirant among influential stakeholders positions him as a major force within the local political equation.
The meeting was attended by notable APC figures including former council chairman Hon. Tajudeen Ayilara, Governor Abiodun’s liaison officer Hon. Olusola Oke, Chief Mrs. Mary Ogunjobi, Chief Sunday Alawode, Hon. Femi Fatunmbi and several ward and community leaders.
With competing camps now openly mobilizing support structures, Imeko-Afon is fast becoming one of the closely watched political flashpoints in Ogun State ahead of 2027.
Premier World News reports reports that the outcome of the contest could test the APC’s ability to manage internal interests while sustaining party cohesion at the grassroots level.
