Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has emerged winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary held in Ogun East Senatorial District on Monday.
His main challenger and senator representing the district, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, had pulled out of the race on Sunday night, alleging plans to unleash attacks on his supporters.
Speaking after voting at Ward 3 in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area, where he secured 810 votes out of 812 accredited party members, Abiodun said allegations of violence were unfounded.
“I want to debunk the perception some people are trying to create. Someone claimed that he withdrew from the race because of perceived or planned violence. We had an election here on Saturday. I monitored the exercise across the 236 wards in the state and the 103 wards in Ogun East. I did not hear that anybody stepped on anyone’s toes. The process was free, fair and transparent,” the governor stated.
In Ogun West, a former member of the House of Representatives for Ado-Odo/Ota Federal Constituency, Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele, emerged as the APC senatorial candidate.
Some of his opponents, including the Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, had stepped down from the race to allow Ojugbele emerge as the candidate.
However, a list of APC aspirants cleared for the Ogun West primary showed the Deputy Governor’s name was missing.
When our correspondent visited Ilaro Wards 1 and 2 in Yewa South LGA, the APC primary was conducted by affirmation in favour of the former federal lawmaker.
The result of the primary held across the five local government areas of Ogun West showed Ojugbele polled 85,552 votes to emerge as the candidate.
The result was announced by the Returning Officer for Ogun West, Dr. Dapo Odukoya.
Speaking with newsmen, the Ogun West APC candidate, Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele, described the primary as free and fair.
“The primary election was free and fair. No crisis, nothing. Everything was very smooth,” he said.
Ojugbele, a three-term member of the House of Representatives, said the outcome reflected what to expect in the next election.
“Today, let’s assume that today is the general election. The general election coming in February 2027 will just be the ratification of the law. Because today, if you go all over, if you ask everybody, they know that the election is free and fair,” he said.
When elected, Ojugbele said he would prioritise people’s welfare and development projects across the senatorial district.
“My past record, you know I’ve been at the National Assembly for three consecutive terms.
“People used to call me Mr. Project in my area. And by the grace of God and the support of the people, I will at all times strive for the development of the senatorial district and the people,” he said.
Senator representing Ogun West, Solomon Adeola, aka Yayi, who participated in the APC primary at Ward 1 in Ilaro, Yewa South LGA, described the exercise as peaceful and orderly.
He said the conduct showed the APC remains an organised political party and is well prepared for the next election.
“As a party, we have chosen to go the direct primary way to ensure that everybody has a say in who is going to represent us in 2027, rather than using other forms of primaries.
“It shows the level of organisation and preparedness for 2027. It shows that the party is focused, the party is committed, and the most organised party in the entire Sub-Saharan Africa. So what you are seeing here is the party of today, the party of tomorrow, and the party of the future,” Adeola said.
In Ogun Central, the current senator, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, emerged as the APC candidate, defeating other contestants.
The Ogun Central Collation Officer, Hon. Obafemi Onakoya, said Salisu scored 85,804 votes to defeat other aspirants.
