Ogun West DA Likeminds Condemns Attacks on Deputy Governor, Reaffirms Loyalty To State Leadership

ABEOKUTA – A foremost political group under the aegis of Ogun West DA Likeminds has condemned attacks on the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

The group described the responses to the Deputy Governor’s recent statement as ill-advised and misinformed, emphasizing that any attempt to undermine her position constitutes an affront to Ogun West and its political integrity.

The Encounter News reports that, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele had on Sunday warned stakeholders in Ogun West senatorial district to unite and work towards internal coherence to achieve their long-held desire to produce the next governor of the state for the first time in 2027

The Senate Leader said that it was quite unfortunate that Ogun West senatorial district has been unable to occupy the governorship seat of the state, unlike other two senatorial districts of Ogun East and Central, since its establishment 50 years ago.

According to Bamidele, the failure of the district should be blamed on the inability of the people of the zone to speak with one voice and present a consensus gubernatorial candidate over the years.

Senator Bamidele spoke at a media engagement organized by Ogun West Professionals on Sunday in Ilaro-Yewa. The Senate leader’s position was, however, greeted with controversy.

But speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Fasinu Michael affirmed that the Deputy Governor’s message was constitutionally grounded and delivered with clarity, restraint, and respect for institutional protocol.

According to him, her statement simply drew clear boundaries within the state’s political structure, without provocation or insult.

The group stressed that Ogun State is a sovereign entity with a defined leadership hierarchy, headed by Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON.

They warned that external actors, including senators from outside the state, have no authority to direct or supervise internal political processes in Ogun West.

Hon. Fasinu Michael noted that the agitation for fairness and inclusion in Ogun West is indigenous and organic, and it requires resolution through established leadership channels within the state.

Attempts to reframe the Deputy Governor’s firm message as hostility were described as disingenuous and politically counterproductive.

The group also called for respect of state autonomy and political maturity, urging external stakeholders to exercise restraint.

Ogun West, they said, will determine its political course under local APC leadership, free from external imposition.

“The Ogun West DA Likeminds has taken note of the ill-advised rejoinders issued in response to the measured and constitutionally grounded statement of the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Her Excellency, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, FNSE.

“We like to state without equivocation that we stand firmly with the Deputy Governor. Any attempt to disparage, undermine, or intimidate her position is an affront to Ogun West and an attack on all of us who believe in order, structure, and responsible politics.

“The Deputy Governor spoke with restraint, clarity, and institutional discipline. She neither insulted nor provoked the Senate leader. She simply drew a clear boundary, one that ought to be respected by all who claim fidelity to party order and democratic norms.

“Ogun State is not a political free port. It is a sovereign sub-national entity with a clearly defined leadership structure.

“More importantly, the political leadership of Ogun State is vested in the Governor, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON. That authority is neither negotiable nor transferable. All party members, stakeholders, and well-wishers are expected to align with that structure. There is no parallel command, and there will be no imported supervision.

“We therefore reject, in full, the dangerous attempt to normalise external commentary as “national stakeholder intervention” when it strays into prescription, projection, or political direction. Titles, offices, and federal standing do not confer supervisory authority over Ogun State’s internal political process.

“Let it be clearly understood, that Ogun West is not under the tutelage of any Senator from outside this State.

“The long-standing agitation for fairness and inclusion in Ogun West is real. It is indigenous. It is organic. It does not require external validation, interpretation, or guardianship. Those who truly respect this cause must also respect the leadership channels through which it will be resolved.”