Ogun 2027: Osun crisis will be child’s play, Aspirant warns APC
By Omobolaji Adekunle
A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ogun State, Abayomi Hunye, has warned that the crisis surrounding the party’s 2027 governorship ticket could be more intense than the political crisis witnessed in Osun State.
Hunye gave the warning yesterday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, while explaining his decision to challenge the outcome of the APC governorship primary in court.
The development comes amid the controversy surrounding the emergence of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the APC governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Hunye, who described himself as an aspirant and not the party’s candidate, said he would continue with his legal challenge, insisting that the dispute was fundamentally about ensuring a free and fair process.
He said political actors could not deprive people of their perceived rights and expect them to remain silent.
Hunye alleged that Adeola’s emergence followed what he described as an imposition by Governor Dapo Abiodun and the APC leadership, challenging the party to conduct a transparent primary.
According to him, if Adeola is popular within the party, a free and fair primary would confirm his acceptance and end the controversy.
Hunye also claimed that some members of the governor’s cabinet were unhappy with Adeola’s emergence and were sympathetic to his position.
Hunye challenged the APC’s claim that he had been suspended, saying he was never formally notified of the disciplinary action.
He argued that the party was required to follow due process before suspending a member.
According to him, the claim was inconsistent with the party’s subsequent actions, as he obtained the APC nomination form and participated in the screening exercise after the alleged suspension.
Hunye claimed that the party collected N50 million from him for the nomination form, screened him and cleared him to participate in the governorship contest.
He said he was assigned number 62 during the screening, while Adeola was assigned number 53.
The aspirant said his legal challenge centred on the outcome of the APC governorship primary, where he claimed he was recorded as having scored zero votes.
He questioned how he could have participated in the primary and still have no vote recorded in his name.
Hunye said there was no withdrawal in his name and maintained that the party acknowledged his participation in the exercise.
He said he subsequently wrote to the party chairman and the relevant committee to protest the outcome but alleged that his complaints were not addressed.
He added that the court remained his avenue for seeking redress.
Suspension, attempt to weaken case
Hunye further alleged that the suspension issue was connected to his court case and could be used to challenge his legal standing in the suit.
He said his case also raised questions about information allegedly supplied by Adeola during previous electoral processes and his political history.
Hunye alleged that previous legal challenges had failed because litigants lacked locus standi, claiming that the suspension issue was now being used to weaken his own standing before the court.
He maintained that he was prepared to face any legal challenge and would continue with the case.
The dispute has further heightened uncertainty surrounding the APC’s 2027 governorship ticket in Ogun State, with Hunye challenging the primary outcome while the party proceeds with Adeola as its nominated candidate.
