Ogun 2027: Address Hunye’s Grievances, Don’t Create Room For Division, Eselu Urges APC Leadership

ABEOKUTA – The Eselu of Eseluland in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to urgently address the grievances of a governorship aspirant, Hon. Semanko Abayomi Hunye, over the party’s governorship primary to prevent further division within the party and the region.

The monarch called on the APC to activate its internal dispute resolution mechanism and bring Hunye and Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, together to resolve their differences in the interest of the party and Ogun State.

Oba Akinyemi, who described both Adeola and Hunye as his subjects, spoke with journalists during the housewarming ceremony of his private residence in Obada Oko, Ogun State.

Hunye had contested the APC governorship ticket against Adeola and subsequently challenged the outcome of the primary in court, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the exercise.

The Eselu said the controversy had persisted for too long, describing the situation as one of “agitation and counter-agitation” that required immediate intervention from the APC leadership.

He said the party should establish a dispute resolution committee to engage the contending parties and address the issues raised by Hunye rather than allowing the disagreement to fester.

“I think I will have to implore the party that they should call them together and resolve whatever their differences are.

“As far as the claim is concerned, it would have been an issue for the political leaders. But as a royal father, what I will implore them to do is to put a committee in place. There should be a dispute resolution committee in the party,” he said.

The monarch also questioned the zero vote reportedly recorded for Hunye at the primary, saying the figure raised questions that deserved clarification.

“If Abayomi Hunye actually went for the primary, he can’t score zero. It’s not possible. Because he also voted. So, who stole his vote? That’s the fundamental question,” Oba Akinyemi said.

“Let’s assume everybody voted for Yayi; there’s no doubt about that. But what about Hunye? Can Hunye vote for Yayi? That’s not possible. So, that one vote, where is it? Who stole it?”

Oba Akinyemi, however, cautioned against pre-judging the matter, noting that the dispute was already before the court.

He said while the judiciary should be allowed to determine the legal issues surrounding the primary, the APC leadership should simultaneously deploy its internal mechanisms to address the grievances and prevent the controversy from creating deeper divisions.

According to him, the disagreement between the two Yewa politicians should not be allowed to degenerate into a crisis capable of undermining the political interests of the region ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The monarch also said the agitation for Ogun West, or Yewa, to produce the next governor remained legitimate, citing what he described as years of political marginalisation.

He, however, warned that the quest for power should not cause the people to compromise on competence and good governance.

“Yes, Yewa is expected to have the government because we have been marginalised. You cannot erase that fact.

“But at the same time, we still want a good person that will give us good governance. I so much believe in good governance. That is my prayer.

“I want somebody who can give us dividends of democracy. Basic education should be fundamental. Empower the people. That is what is paramount to me,” he said.

The Eselu further called on political parties, the media and civil society organisations to thoroughly scrutinise all governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 election, irrespective of their political affiliation, ethnicity or zoning arrangement.

He said such scrutiny should cover the candidates’ competence, track records and family backgrounds, arguing that the quality of the person elected governor would have far-reaching consequences for the future of Ogun State.

“Whoever is going to be the governor of Ogun State should be thoroughly cross-examined. We don’t have any other place to call our state. So, whosoever wants to take over from the governor, we should shun politics aside, irrespective of the party.

“The press, the media, civil society organisations should bring everybody together and investigate them thoroughly, including their family background. That is very important,” he said.

Oba Akinyemi also urged traditional rulers across the state to remain politically neutral while encouraging their subjects to critically assess the candidates seeking their votes.

“Our role is to be neutral. Number two, to watch critically and make sure that we scrutinise one after the other and make sure that we are not going to pick a wrong choice.

“I implore all my traditional rulers that, please, this time around, we should be careful in making our choice. Pick the right choice,” he said.

While commending the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun for what he described as its achievements, the monarch stressed the need for the governor’s successor to be carefully assessed to ensure that the state does not compromise on good governance.

“The government is putting its best. It has done a lot of tremendous work; there is no doubt about that. But whoever is stepping after him must be critically verified. That’s my prayer,” he added.