Ogun 2027: Yayi’s aide defends APC consensus, dismisses opposition

Damilare Oloyede, the New Media aide to the senator representing Ogun West and All Progressives Congress consensus governorship candidate in Ogun State, Olamilekan Adeola, popularly called Yayi, has defended the All Progressives Congress’ arrangement, describing it as a strategic move to avert internal crisis.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, Oloyede said the decision had helped to stabilise the party and consolidate its structure, noting that key stakeholders and former aspirants had aligned behind a single figure in a move he described as unprecedented in the state’s political history.

He also dismissed the capacity of opposition parties to mount a serious challenge in the next election cycle, insisting that the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress lacked the cohesion and grassroots presence to compete effectively with the APC in Ogun State.

Yayi emerged as the consensus candidate of the Ogun APC during a stakeholders’ meeting held on April 14, 2026.

The meeting was attended by Governor Dapo Abiodun, Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, former governors – Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, among other dignitaries.

Speaking with The PidomNigeria, Oloyede noted that the incumbent governor, former governors and all aspirants aligned behind Yayi to ensure APC victory.

He said, “Consensus prevents crisis. Instead of dissipating energy through internal contests, the party has further strengthened itself. The party has decided not to have a brickbat of ideas, but to choose the best among them.

“Although Senator Olamilekan Adeola had yet to formally declare his intention to contest, the growing endorsements within the party signalled confidence in his candidacy,” Oloyede said.

Oloyede maintained that the opposition did not pose a serious challenge for the 2027 election in Ogun State. and the African Democratic Congress lack the cohesion and structure to pose a serious challenge in 2027.

“I don’t think we have opposition parties in Ogun State. The PDP seems to be non-existent, and the ADC is not on the ground at all. They are not in any position to struggle for the confidence of the electorate,” he added.

The lawmaker’s aide also linked the consensus arrangement to the need to sustain Abiodun’s policies, saying the current administration had laid a solid foundation that required continuity.

“The party wants to sustain the gains of Governor Abiodun’s government and also win elections.

“The administration of Governor Abiodun, with the mantra of ‘Building Our Future Together,’ has laid a very solid foundation.

“We need someone in tandem with what has been achieved, and that is where Senator Adeola stands tall,” he stated.

He noted that Adeola was well-positioned to build on the government’s agenda while aligning with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Tinubu.

Oloyede urged party members and residents of the state to support Adeola, stressing that unity within the APC would be key to securing victory at the polls.