Ogun State Rejects Political Imposition, Calls for Resistance

Residents of Ogun State have been urged to reject what has been labeled “state capture” disguised as political consensus. This call to action follows the All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsement of Senator Solomon Adeola as its consensus governorship candidate for the upcoming election. The endorsement was announced during an APC strategic caucus meeting in Abeokuta on Monday, where Governor Dapo Abiodun and other party leaders unanimously adopted Adeola, who represents Ogun West in the Senate, as the party’s preferred candidate.

Segun Showunmi, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Convener of the Alternative, expressed concerns that this political arrangement threatens Ogun State’s long-standing reputation for independent political thought. In a statement titled “From Magbon to Now: We Will Not Be Conquered. Ogun’s Line in the Sand: Resistance to State Capture,” Showunmi challenged the legitimacy of the consensus arrangement. He argued that while consensus can serve as a valid internal party mechanism, it becomes an act of imposition when it lacks integrity.

Showunmi characterized the process as a “humiliation” for Ogun’s electorate, asserting that those attempting to impose their will on the state’s political direction do not possess demonstrable records of public service or private conduct. He emphasized that Ogun State’s history is marked by its ability to challenge entrenched systems, from the fall of the Oyo Empire to the present day. “We cannot, in this generation, especially within the framework of democracy, accept the status of a conquered people,” Showunmi stated. He added that no justification—be it political convenience, party loyalty, or manufactured inevitability—can compel a free people to return to servitude.

This controversy underscores the growing tensions within Ogun State’s political landscape as parties prepare for the governorship election. Concerns are mounting over the balance between party cohesion and democratic representation, highlighting the challenges ahead as the election approaches.