The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has reaffirmed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general election.
The party made its position known in a statement signed by its state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, on Sunday, following claims by former federal lawmaker Abayomi Hunye regarding the APC governorship ticket.
The Ogun APC described the claim as false and urged party members, supporters and the general public to disregard any contrary declaration.
The clarification came amid renewed controversy over the party’s governorship ticket, with former federal lawmaker and APC chieftain Kayode Oladele criticising Hunye’s continued challenge to Adeola’s emergence.
Oladele described Hunye’s pursuit of the ticket and the recent unveiling of a running mate as an “exercise in futility”, insisting that the APC had completed its nomination process and submitted Adeola’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Hunye, however, maintained his position at a press briefing in Abeokuta on Saturday, denying reports that he had withdrawn from the governorship race.
He said he was challenging in court the process that produced Adeola as the APC candidate and unveiled Otunba Abayomi Odunowo from Ijebu-Ode as his running mate.
Hunye also said he would continue his campaign across Ogun State in line with the provisions of the electoral laws.
Responding to the development, the Ogun APC stated that Adeola remained its recognised candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
“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 said.
According to the party, Adeola emerged from its governorship primary after securing 304,055 votes out of 305,287 accredited voters who participated in the exercise.
Following his emergence, Adeola selected Mrs Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun as his running mate.
The APC said the names of Adeola and Adegunwa-Balogun had been submitted to INEC as its governorship candidate and running mate for the 2027 election.
The party consequently dissociated itself from Hunye’s declaration and any other claim seeking to present another individual as its candidate.
“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 statement added.
The APC urged members of the public to rely on official statements from the Ogun State chapter and relevant electoral authorities for accurate information regarding its 2027 governorship ticket.
However, Hunye, through his media office, denied declaring himself the APC governorship candidate.
He maintained that his position was based on the ongoing legal challenge over the process that produced Adeola and insisted that the matter remained before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Abayomi Hunye has never declared himself the APC Governorship Candidate,” the statement said.
“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.”
