Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as “Yayi,” has emerged unopposed as the governorship flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State. This significant development followed a peaceful primary election held on Thursday, which witnessed a massive turnout of party members across all 236 wards of the state. The enthusiastic participation across polling units highlighted strong grassroots mobilization and a clear sense of unity within the party, positioning it strongly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adeola’s path to becoming the sole contender was cleared by the withdrawal of the only other aspirant, Hon. Abayomi Hundeyi, earlier on the day of the primary election. Hundeyi, who previously served as the General Manager of the Ogun State Waste Management Authority (OGWAMA), formally communicated his decision to withdraw in a letter sent to the party leadership. This withdrawal was a pivotal moment, affirming Adeola’s established position within the party.

The senator’s emergence as a consensus candidate was not sudden; he had already been endorsed during a stakeholders’ meeting prior to the primary exercise. This early endorsement effectively positioned him as the sole contender. Beyond Hundeyi, reports indicated that more than ten other aspirants who had initially sought the governorship ticket also stepped down, expressing their support in favor of Adeola, who currently represents the Ogun West Senatorial District in the National Assembly. Observers widely anticipated this outcome, citing Senator Adeola’s broad acceptability and considerable political influence across the entire state.

The primary election was meticulously monitored across all three senatorial districts and was conducted peacefully, orderly, and without any incidents of violence or disruption. This smooth process further underscored the party’s commitment to internal cohesion and transparent electoral practices.

Speaking after participating in the exercise at Ward 3, Iperu 1 in Ikenne Local Government Area, Governor Dapo Abiodun provided insights into the APC’s comprehensive approach to candidate selection. He revealed that over 700 aspirants had initially expressed interest in various elective positions under the APC for the upcoming 2027 elections. Governor Abiodun explained that the party adopted extensive consultations and robust consensus-building mechanisms as a core strategy to ensure the selection of credible candidates while simultaneously maintaining internal cohesion.

“We undertook a rigorous exercise to screen over 700 aspirants and engage with their leaders. The idea was to identify the best candidates for each election,” Abiodun stated. He further emphasized that this inclusive process ensured fairness and significantly reduced potential internal friction within the party. He concluded by asserting, “No one was compelled to step down. There is no winner and no vanquished,” highlighting the voluntary and unifying nature of the selection process that has paved the way for Senator Adeola’s unopposed candidacy.