2027: Monarch urges scrutiny of Ogun governorship candidates

The Eselu of Iselu Kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi, has urged the media, Civil Society Organisations and residents of the state to thoroughly scrutinise all candidates seeking to succeed Governor Dapo Abiodun in the 2027 governorship election, irrespective of their political parties.

Oba Akinyemi specifically tasked the media and CSOs with investigating the backgrounds, credentials and antecedents of the candidates ahead of the election.

The monarch also urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress to urgently resolve the lingering dispute arising from its governorship primary, warning that the crisis involving two Yewa sons, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and Mr Abayomi Hunye, could become an embarrassment to the party and the region.

He also expressed concern over reports that Hunye scored zero votes in the governorship primary, describing the situation as puzzling.

Oba Akinyemi spoke to journalists on Saturday on the sidelines of his house-warming ceremony in the Obada-Oko area of Abeokuta, the capital of the state.

He said the responsibility of choosing the next governor should not be left entirely to political parties, stressing that the electorate would ultimately bear the consequences of the choice made in 2027.

The royal father said, “Let me use this opportunity to tell the electorate, civil society organisations and the press that whoever is going to become the next Governor of Ogun State after Dapo Abiodun should be thoroughly, and I mean thoroughly, scrutinised. It is very important. We do not have another place to call our state.

“Whoever wants to take over from the governor, irrespective of the political party, should be subjected to thorough scrutiny. The media and civil society organisations should come together to investigate all the candidates thoroughly, including their family backgrounds. It is very, very important.

“Everyone who belongs to this state has to ask questions. We must question whoever we plan to entrust with our heritage and governance.”

He further added, “This is no longer just about politics; it is about us and the critical stakeholders in the state. Everyone who belongs here must ensure that, if issues arise, we thoroughly understand the background and credentials of anyone who aspires to lead us.”

Speaking on the internal crisis in the Ogun State chapter of the APC, particularly the controversy surrounding the party’s primary election involving Adeola and Hunye, Oba Akinyemi urged the party leadership to intervene and resolve the matter amicably.

The monarch expressed concern over what he described as continuing agitation and counter-agitation arising from the dispute.

“I have been following the trend of the news, including the agitation and counter-agitation. I think we have to implore the party to call them together and resolve whatever differences they may have.

“If Abayomi Hunye participated in the primaries, it is impossible for him to have scored zero votes because he would have at least voted for himself. So, who stole his vote?”

“Even if the majority voted for Yayi, Hunye would not have cast his own vote for Yayi. Where did that single vote go?” he said.

According to him, the issue raises questions that require clarification, particularly regarding Hunye’s participation in the primary and the recording of his vote.

“The core question is: what happened to his vote, and why was it not recorded? Had it been properly recorded, we might not be in this situation today,” he said.

Oba Akinyemi advised the political actors involved to resolve their differences and avoid actions capable of unnecessarily heightening political tension, particularly on social media.

It would be recalled that Hunye recently declared that he was still pursuing his governorship ambition and subsequently unveiled Otunba Abayomi Odunowo from Ijebu Ode as his running mate.

The national leadership of the party, however, said Hunye had been suspended from the party and urged the police to investigate the Ipokia Local Government-born politician for alleged impersonation.