Chief Sunday Sowunmi said the conduct and turnout of the ruling party’s primary election in Abeokuta South signalled that the All Progressives Congress (APC) remained cohesive behind Senator Olamilekan Adeola—widely known as “Yayi”—as the party continued to affirm its preferred candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Ogun State.
Primary held in Abeokuta South, Sowunmi highlights unity
Speaking during the APC primary exercise conducted at Ijemo Ward 5 in Abeokuta South Local Government Area, Sowunmi pointed to what he described as peaceful proceedings and “massive” participation as evidence of party unity and determination to back Yayi’s political ambition.
He told party members and journalists that the event was being held in Ijemo Ward 5 to select the party’s incoming governor, identifying the candidate as His Excellency Senator Olamilekan Adeola, also called Yayi.
Sowunmi said the turnout had been impressive, adding that he expected Abeokuta South to secure strong performance in the Ijebu Ward 5 area. He framed the outcome as something he believed would happen “by the special grace of God,” while describing the level of voter participation as very strong.
Support networks built ahead of the vote, officials say
Sowunmi also argued that Senator Adeola had already developed robust support structures across Ogun State before the primary election, saying the candidate’s engagement and connections with residents had helped him earn acceptance among party faithful and local communities.
He expressed confidence that the nomination process would stay calm across the state, stressing that there should be no bitterness or violence during the exercise.
“Senator Yayi has done all his work before today, and God has blessed his work,” Sowunmi said, adding that he did not foresee rancour or molestation anywhere in Ogun State. He further described Adeola as having proved his standing and as a “son of the soil” of Ogun State.
Affirmation in other wards, party leaders urge continued support
In Ago-Oko Ward 3, Abeokuta North, Tiwalade Akingbade, the general secretary of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), said party members in the ward turned out to cast their votes in support of the consensus candidate, Senator Adeola Olamilekan Yayi.
Akingbade said there had been prior arrangements in which party leaders endorsed Senator Yayi, adding that his ward and the wider state were aligned behind him.
At Ward 1 in Abeokuta South, party officials also spoke to journalists after what they described as the affirmation of the APC consensus candidate. Teslim Sodipo, identified as the party’s apex leader, said the process was clear and that there was no dispute.
Call for backing ahead of 2027 election
Sodipo used the occasion to rally support for Senator Adeola Olamilekan Yayi, urging party members and residents to continue backing the candidate’s political ambition leading into the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
He pointed to Yayi’s track record as a factor he said had strengthened his acceptance among party members during the primary elections.
- Chief Sunday Sowunmi said the APC primary at Ijemo Ward 5, Abeokuta South, was peaceful and drew a massive turnout.
- Sowunmi described Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi) as having built support structures across Ogun State before the primary.
- Sowunmi predicted the nomination process would remain free of rancour or violence, saying Yayi had already completed his work ahead of the day.
- Tiwalade Akingbade said party members in Ago-Oko Ward 3, Abeokuta North, voted to affirm the consensus candidate, Senator Adeola Olamilekan Yayi.
- Akingbade said party leaders had endorsed Yayi and that the ward and state were for the senator.
- Teslim Sodipo said the affirmation process at Ward 1, Abeokuta South, was orderly and without problems.
- Sodipo urged continued support for Yayi’s governorship bid ahead of the 2027 election and cited his track record as boosting acceptance in the primaries.
