Adejola Adeyemi Crown
The political landscape in Ogun East shifted on Monday as leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the senatorial district unanimously adopted Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, as their preferred candidate for the 2027 Senate election, with a firm pledge to mobilise resources and structures in support of his bid.
The endorsement was announced at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Adeola Odutola Hall in Ijebu-Ode, where party leaders, elected officials and grassroots representatives converged to adopt the governor for the senatorial race.
The gathering had in attendance members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, former and serving local government chairmen, lawmakers at both state and national levels, councillors, ward executives, as well as women and youth leaders from across the district.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, former senator, Lekan Mustapha, said the decision was unanimous, noting that Abiodun’s leadership capacity and performance in office informed the move.
He added that the party would formally communicate the decision to the governor and also purchase his nomination forms ahead of the election.
“We will put a body together to deliver this message to our Governor that he has been adopted as the consensus candidate,” Mustapha said. “We believe he has the experience, the intellect and the character required to represent Ogun East effectively at the Senate.”
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, described the endorsement as historic, saying it reflected the collective confidence of party stakeholders in the governor’s ability to deliver at the national level.
“This endorsement is unanimous and well deserved. It is a reflection of the trust and belief the people of Ogun East have in the governor,” he said.
A member of the House of Representatives, Femi Ogunbanwo, representing Odogbolu, Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu North East Federal Constituency, said Abiodun’s administration had entrenched peace and development across the state, expressing confidence that he would attract more dividends of democracy to the district if elected.
Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Afolabi Odulate, also commended the governor’s performance and urged him to accept the call to serve at the Senate.
The event witnessed the participation of all 103 councillors across the nine local governments in Ogun East, alongside ward chairmen, executives and key grassroots mobilisers.
Among those present were former senators Gbenga Kaka and Lekan Mustapha, Ogun East APC Chairman, Adedoyin Adeleke, and party elders including Kola Ogunjobi, Bayo Dayo, Durojaye, Pegba Otemolu, James Dina and Osibote Amoran.
Members of the House of Representatives from the district, Adesola Elegbeji, Joseph Adegbesan and Femi Ogunbanwo, also attended the meeting, signalling broad support for the governor’s anticipated senatorial bid.
