Ogun APC Consensus Crisis: Dangers of Political Imposition On Senator Yayi’s Guber Victory

Ahead of the Saturday’s House of Representatives primary across APC wards in Ogun state, fresh cracks are widening within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as disagreements continue to trail the party’s proposed consensus arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Across the three senatorial districts, tensions are mounting among party leaders, aspirants, and loyal members over alleged attempts by Governor Dapo Abiodun to handpick preferred National and State Assembly candidates without broad consultation.

Many party stakeholders fear the development could deepen divisions within the ruling party and weaken its electoral strength ahead of the next polls. What is unfolding within the Ogun APC should concern every sincere progressive.

For years, the APC maintained dominance in Ogun State by accommodating different political interests, leaders, and tendencies. But the current consensus arrangement appears to signal a dangerous shift away from inclusion toward political exclusion.

Today, the greatest threat facing the APC in Ogun is not necessarily the opposition. It is the growing internal resentment spreading quietly across the party’s structures in Ogun East, Ogun Central, and Ogun West.

The political consequences could extend far beyond State and National Assembly contests. The crisis has the potential to affect governorship calculations, presidential election mobilization, voter enthusiasm, grassroots campaigns, and the broader unity required for electoral victory.

Although the governorship aspiration of Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Senator Yayi, is widely regarded as strong and firmly rooted within the party, but attempts by one political tendency to suppress competing interests for other elective offices could create fractures capable of undermining even the strongest political project.

If the growing dissatisfaction within the party remains unresolved, aggrieved members may stay within the APC officially while quietly working against its success during the governorship and presidential elections.

Reports circulating within party circles alleged that Governor Abiodun has compiled a list of loyal aides and preferred candidates for National and State Assembly positions ahead of the primaries. The alleged move has already generated tension among stakeholders and aspirants across the state.

Among those reportedly favoured are the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs. Funmi Efuwape, for Ikemne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Adijat Oladapo-Adeleye, for Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Toyin Taiwo for Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency; Special Adviser on Political Matters, Hon. Biyi Adeleye, for Remo North State Constituency; and Adeboye Kasali for Ijebu East State Constituency.

Critics argued that no governor, regardless of political influence, can single-handedly secure electoral victory without the cooperation of multiple tendencies within the party. While imposition weakens unity, inclusive politics strengthens electoral success.

Ogun East: Open Confrontation Emerges

In Ogun East Senatorial District, the crisis became more pronounced after former governor and serving senator, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, openly declared that he could defeat Governor Dapo Abiodun in any senatorial primary election.

Speaking during an empowerment programme organised by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu–Otunba Gbenga Daniel Movement in Ijebu Ode, Daniel insisted he remained the preferred choice among party members and residents of the district.

His declaration came shortly before APC leaders in Ogun East endorsed Governor Abiodun as the consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election, a move Daniel reportedly rejected as deceptive and driven by desperation, inducement, and coercion.

The former governor instead demanded free, fair, and transparent primaries, insisting that party members should determine candidates through democratic processes.

The controversy has also revived conversations around Governor Abiodun’s own emergence in 2019, with critics alleging that he has consistently favoured consensus arrangements and political alignments over open primaries.

Ogun Central: Resistance to Consensus Deepens

In Ogun Central Senatorial District, attempts to impose consensus candidates have reportedly met stiff resistance.

A stakeholders’ meeting held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta on Thursday, reportedly ended without resolution after party members openly rejected Governor Abiodun’s endorsement of Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu as the preferred consensus candidate for Ogun Central.

Despite the political influence of former governor Ibikunle Amosun within the district, many party stakeholders resisted the governor’s position and called for transparent primaries.

Before announcing the endorsement, Governor Abiodun reportedly appealed to stakeholders to overlook Senator Salisu’s shortcomings, stressing that “nobody is perfect.”

However, party members reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over what they viewed as an attempt to impose a candidate against the wishes of the grassroots.

Several influential APC figures, including Senator Obadara, are believed to favour open competition rather than predetermined endorsements.

Ogun West: Deputy Governor Allegedly Sidelined

In Ogun West Senatorial District, tensions are also rising amid reports that Governor Abiodun may not support his deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, for the senatorial ticket.
Party insiders allege that despite being the only female aspirant in the race, the deputy governor has been sidelined in favour of another preferred candidate.

The development has reportedly intensified competition among aspirants including Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele, Hon. Waliu Taiwo, Senator Gbolahan Dada, Rt. Hon. Bolanle Gbeleyi, Senator Tolu Odebiyi, and the deputy governor herself.

Many stakeholders within the district are now insisting that only transparent primaries can guarantee fairness and preserve party unity.

What however, remain unseen is whether President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will sacrifice two former governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, all high ranking National Assembly members which include; Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka representing Ifo/Ewekoro federal constituency, Hon. Iziaq Akinlade, representing Yewa South/Ipokia federal constituency to massage the political ego of Governor Dapo Abiodun with no grassroots structure, political influence and fan base.

House of Assembly Primaries Trigger Further Anxiety

At the Ogun State House of Assembly level, fresh concerns have emerged over allegations that the governor influenced a significant number of the 80 out of 87 aspirants cleared for the primaries.

Party officials reportedly advised dissatisfied aspirants to submit written appeals ahead of the appeal committee’s sitting.

Beyond the Assembly contests, protests have allegedly erupted in parts of Abeokuta and Ijebu over claims of candidate imposition and withholding of party membership cards from certain aspirants and supporters.

Political analysts warn that unless the APC leadership carefully manages the growing disagreements surrounding the consensus arrangement, the internal crisis could escalate and threaten party cohesion ahead of 2027.

Political Exclusion on a Statewide Scale

Former Ogun State Sports Commissioner, Otunba Fatai Sowemimo, described the situation as “political exclusion on a statewide scale.”

According to him, attempts to position Governor Abiodun against the politically entrenched Otunba Gbenga Daniel in Ogun East could carry dangerous consequences for the party.

“A political party cannot continue humiliating powerful blocs, respected leaders, loyal stakeholders, women groups, and grassroots structures while expecting total unity during elections,” Sowemimo said.

“When people feel ignored, sidelined, or politically disrespected, they may remain inside the party physically but withdraw psychologically and electorally. That is how ruling parties suddenly become vulnerable.”

Yewa Group Raises Alarm

The Yewa Integrity Group, a political pressure group within the APC, has also warned against what it described as Governor Abiodun’s “dangerous political path.”

In a letter addressed to President Bola Tinubu, the group accused the governor of attempting to single-handedly determine National Assembly candidates without adequate consultation.

Signed by Coordinator Gbenga Lawal and Secretary Rasak Oladele, the letter urged the APC national leadership to intervene before the situation degenerates further.

The group argued that the alleged actions undermine the principles of fairness, consultation, inclusion, and internal democracy upon which the APC was founded.

It also warned that unresolved internal wrangling could negatively affect the political future of Senator Olamilekan Yayi and other APC leaders working to sustain the party’s dominance in Ogun State.

The Bigger Political Danger

True leadership is measured not by the ability to control a political structure, but by the wisdom to unite people with competing ambitions under one roof.

The future strength of the APC in Ogun State will depend not on endorsements arranged behind closed doors, but on fairness, inclusion, consultation, and genuine democratic legitimacy.

A party that refuses to listen to its grassroots today may struggle to hear victory songs tomorrow.

As at the time of publishing this article, the APC Publicity Secretary in Ogun state, Mr. Olufemi Nuberu was yet to comment on the allegations of compilation list of candidates.