ABEOKUTA – Some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the aegis of the Ogun APC Integrity Group, Abeokuta South Local Government chapter, have faulted the recent consensus arrangement adopted by the party in Ogun State, particularly in Ogun Central Senatorial District, describing it as an imposition of candidates.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the group’s convener, Comrade Durojaye Olakunle, shortly after the consensus meeting convened by Governor Dapo Abiodun at Oke-Mosan, the group alleged that the process violated internal democratic principles and lacked due process.
According to the group, the exercise fell short of the guidelines set by the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, which require that all aspirants must be present and must freely agree before any candidate can emerge through consensus.
“The so-called consensus announced in Ogun Central was not built on agreement. Many aspirants were excluded, and consent was neither sought nor obtained,” the statement read.
The group anchored its position on a recent clarification credited to the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, who stressed that consensus candidacy cannot be imposed on aspirants
In the press statement, the national chairman stated: “A consensus ticket requires the voluntary consent of all aspirants. Consensus is not imposed; it must be a product of mutual agreement among all contenders seeking the party’s ticket.”
The Ogun APC Integrity Group argued that the adoptions announced in Ogun Central, including for the Ogun State House of Assembly, contradicted this position, alleging that some of the adopted candidates had neither contributed meaningfully to the party nor maintained visible engagement within their constituencies.
The group also raised concerns that the endorsement of several Assembly candidates by Governor Abiodun was aimed at retaining influence over the next administration.
Focusing on Abeokuta South Local Government Area, the group declared that the consensus arrangement was unacceptable, insisting that unpopular candidates were imposed without the consent of other qualified aspirants.
“We reject the imposition of candidates under the guise of consensus,” Olakunle said. “What transpired does not reflect the position of the party’s national leadership nor the wishes of grassroots members.”
The group called on the APC leadership at both the state and national levels to urgently intervene, warning that continued disregard for due process could weaken party unity across the 20 local government areas of Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
