Yayi Remains APC’s Ogun Governorship Candidate, Says Bankole

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC), Aare Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, has reaffirmed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s candidate for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.

Bankole, who is also a major APC stakeholder in Ogun State, said the clarification became necessary following what he described as misinformation being circulated by individuals seeking to cause confusion within the party.

In a statement signed on Thursday, he maintained that nothing had changed regarding Adeola’s candidacy, insisting that the senator emerged from the party’s governorship primary through a duly conducted process.

“Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola was duly elected at the last Governorship Primaries conducted by the APC in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act as recently amended, and the Constitution of our party,” Bankole said.

He further stated that Adeola’s name, alongside that of his running mate, had been forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the APC’s candidates for the 2027 governorship election in the state.

Bankole urged party members and residents of Ogun State to disregard reports suggesting that the APC had changed its governorship candidate, describing such reports as attempts to create division within the party.

He said Adeola possessed the constitutional qualifications, legislative experience and political capacity required to lead the state.

According to him, the senator’s years of service in the National Assembly and understanding of governance placed him in a strong position to pursue the development of Ogun State.

“As stakeholders, we are confident that nothing will stop this mandate. The will of party members expressed during the primaries must be respected and protected,” he said.

Bankole appealed to APC members to concentrate on strengthening the party’s structures, grassroots mobilisation and preparations for the 2027 election rather than being distracted by what he described as false reports.

He said Adeola’s proposed agenda for infrastructure, industrial development, youth empowerment, agriculture and inclusive governance was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“With Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as Governor, Ogun State will experience the next level of shared prosperity,” Bankole said.

He also dismissed suggestions of division within the Ogun APC, maintaining that the party remained united under its national and state leadership.

“The APC in Ogun State is one united family under the leadership of our national and state structures. We will not allow agents of division to truncate the progress we have started,” he said.

Bankole called on party members and supporters to rally behind Adeola when the campaign begins, with the objective of securing victory for the APC in the governorship election.

He said the party’s priority should now be unity, grassroots mobilisation and early preparation for the 2027 contest.

He concluded: “Let it be on record: YAYI IS THE APC 2027 OGUN STATE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE.”