The political crisis surrounding the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a fresh turn following the decision of former governorship aspirant Abayomi Semako Hunye to unveil a running mate for the 2027 election.
Hunye, who previously served as Managing Director of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), announced Abayomi Odunowo as his proposed deputy governorship candidate at a press conference on Saturday, August 22.
The announcement came despite the APC’s earlier endorsement of Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s governorship candidate.
Governor Dapo Abiodun had announced Adeola as the party’s consensus candidate during a strategic caucus meeting in April attended by senior APC leaders and several governorship aspirants.
Hunye did not participate in that meeting. However, he later obtained the party’s governorship nomination form and proceeded with his challenge.
Disputed primary election
The APC subsequently conducted its governorship primary in May, where the electoral committee announced Adeola as the winner with 304,055 votes out of 305,287 accredited voters.
Hunye was officially recorded as receiving zero votes.
His campaign organisation rejected the result, claiming that figures allegedly collected from its agents across Ogun State showed that Hunye actually secured 453,765 votes.
The dispute eventually moved to court, with Hunye seeking to challenge the outcome of the primary.
Hunye insists the battle is not over
Despite the APC’s position that Adeola is its recognised candidate, Hunye says the matter remains before the courts.
He argued that his decision to continue participating in the political process was intended to ensure that his legal challenge would not be undermined by claims that he had withdrawn from the contest.
Hunye also questioned the APC’s claim that he had been suspended from the party, saying he was never formally notified and that the party’s subsequent actions appeared inconsistent with the alleged suspension.
He pointed to the fact that he obtained a nomination form, underwent screening and was cleared to participate in the primary.
APC rejects Hunye’s claim
The Ogun APC has maintained that Adeola remains its legitimate candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
State party chairman Yemi Sanusi said the names of Adeola and Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun had already been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s governorship candidate and running mate.
The party has urged members and the public to disregard any contrary claims.
The APC’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, has also accused Hunye of impersonation and described him as an individual who had been suspended from the party.
Basiru said the suspension followed allegations of activities considered harmful to the party’s interests.
Hunye has rejected that position, arguing that he was never properly notified of the alleged disciplinary action.
Party seeks police intervention
The dispute has now escalated beyond the party structure.
The APC petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, asking for Hunye to be investigated, arrested and prosecuted over allegations including impersonation and conduct capable of causing a breach of peace.
The party insists that Adeola is the only recognised APC governorship candidate in Ogun State.
Hunye, however, remains defiant and says he will continue with his legal challenge.
He has also indicated that if the court rules in his favour, he would be willing to work with party members, while accepting the outcome if judgment goes against him.
With the 2027 election approaching, the dispute has created another major test for the APC in Ogun State. The final outcome may now depend largely on the courts and the resolution of the competing claims surrounding the party’s governorship ticket.
