Ogun Deputy Speaker Disowns Yewa South APC Endorsement Claim, Denies Signing Rotation Agreement

ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – In a decisive move to set the record straight, the Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Lateefat Bolanle Ajayi, has firmly distanced herself from the reported endorsement of a candidate for the Yewa South State Constituency seat.

Speaking through a statement e-signed and released to the media on Sunday, May 3, 2026, Rt. Hon. Ajayi clarified that she was neither consulted nor invited to the alleged meeting where the decision was said to have been reached.

The meeting, according to reports, purportedly took place at the Governor’s Lodge in GRA, Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State.

The Deputy Speaker also debunked claims attributed to leaders and elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yewa South Local Government, which suggested that she had agreed to a rotational arrangement and pledged not to seek re-election after her current tenure.

“I want to categorically state for the record that at no time did I, Rt. Hon. Lateefat Ajayi, sit with any individual or group of political leaders to agree that I will not contest the position after my present tenure”, she said.

Expressing her dissatisfaction, Ajayi described her exclusion from such a critical decision as both surprising and unacceptable, particularly given her position as Deputy Speaker and representative of the Yewa South State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly.

“I am deeply disappointed that, as the Deputy Speaker representing Yewa South, I was not invited to the meeting where elders of our party reportedly took this unpopular decision in my absence”, she added.

She emphasized the importance of adherence to party principles, noting that the constitution of the APC remains sacrosanct and binding on all members, regardless of status or alignment.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the alleged agreement, Ajayi dismissed the document being circulated as fraudulent, insisting that she neither signed nor endorsed any such arrangement.

“The purported document being referenced by some party leaders is fake. At no point did I append my signature to any agreement of that nature”, she declared.

In a bid to prevent further escalation of the matter, the Deputy Speaker appealed to key figures within the party to intervene and restore order.

She specifically called on Governor Dapo Abiodun, APC National Leader Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), the Ogun State APC Chairman, Alhaji Sanusi, and other prominent leaders to urgently address the situation and forestall any breakdown of unity within the party.

Rt. Hon. Ajayi also urged her supporters to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing confidence that the party’s leadership would resolve the controversy surrounding what she described as an “illegal endorsement” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

She reaffirmed her commitment to democratic principles and party discipline, while maintaining her right to contest and serve her constituency in accordance with due process.

2027: APC Leaders Adopt Lagos Majority Leader As Consensus Candidate

Ahead of the party primaries scheduled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election, leaders in Eti-Osa, Lagos, have endorsed a lawmaker, Noheem Adams, as consensus the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Adams, representing Eti-Osa Constituency 1, is the Majority Leader of the Lagos Assembly.

In three different letters addressed to the APC Secretariat and leadership of the party in Lagos, the leaders and residents indicated their trust in the lawmaker’s ability to galvanise residents for success. They also affirmed what they described as his effective representation and loyalty to the party and people of his constituency.

One of the letters dated March 26, 2026 and signed by 26 leaders including Engr. Murphy Adetoro (member, Governance Advisory Council) and Alhaji Raheem Alli, Apex Leader, Eti-Osa East LCDA, notified the party that Adams had been unanimously picked as the consensus candidate for the constituency.

In the letter with the title: ‘Notification On Our Consensus Candidate In Eti-osa Constituency I’, the leaders said: “We, the combined body of the All Progressives Congress, Central Working Committee, (CWC) and Apex Leaders in Eti-Osa Constituency I, are pleased to notify you of our consensus candidate for the 2027 Lagos State House of Assembly elections in Eti-Osa Constituency I.

“It is instructive that after careful deliberation and review of his performance in office, we have unanimously endorsed Hon. Noheem Babatunde Adams as our candidate.”

The letter said Adams had demonstrated proven leadership and delivered visible results, “earning him the trust and admiration of our community.

“His commitment to constituent engagement, responsive governance, and community development has made a tangible impact on our constituency. We are convinced that his re-election will consolidate our gains and drive further progress.

“We urge the party leadership to ratify our consensus and ensure a smooth path for Hon. Adams’ candidature. This is important as we need a united front and enough planning time to prepare well for the elections of our president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and other elective positions.

In another letter sent to the Lagos APC chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, 16 ward and LGA chairmen in Eti-Osa confirmed the decision of the Central Working Committee in Eti-Osa on the adoption of Adams as consensus candidate.

“We are convinced that with Hon. Noheem Adams as standard bearer, APC shall secure a landslide victory across all elective positions in Eti-Osa Constituency 1 in 2027.

“This is a project we have adopted as our own, and we pledge to deploy all structures, influence, and electoral machinery for its total success.

Meanwhile, the Lekki Residents Association, through its President, Alhaji Sulyman Bello, and executive members, have promised to mobilise support for Noheem Adams.

In another letter to the Lagos APC chairman, the association promised to ensure massive votes for the party because of their support for Adams, who had been a pillar of support to the residents.

Oyo PDP Guber Aspirant, Ajadi, Congratulates Party Leader, Nureni Akanbi On Birthday

A leading Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Governorship Aspirant in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has congratulated a leader of the party in the state, Chief Nureni Akanbi (Iba Oluyole), Laguna Balogun of Ibadanland as he celebrates his birthday.

Ajadi, in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, the state capital on Sunday, said that he joined family members, friends, political associates and other well wishers of Chief Nureni Akanbi, to wish him a happy birthday as he clocks 82.

The governorship aspirant described Chief Akanbi, who is also Baba Isale Musulumi of Ibadanland, as a distinguished grassroots politician, community leader, and a great political mobilizer, and prayed to God to give him more glorious years on earth with good health.

He said; “I rejoice with you, our leader, on this special occasion of your birthday. This year’s birthday marks a milestone in the life of a man like you who has dedicated his life to the progress of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria in general.

“As a chieftain of the PDP in Oyo State, your dedication to the party and your selfless service to the people are truly commendable. Your contributions to the development of our dear state and nation are immeasurable and your unwavering commitment to the advancement of the state and Nigeria is a testament to your leadership qualities, wisdom, and passion for the welfare of the people.

“You have consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, wisdom, and a passion for the welfare of the people.

“Your counsel, and influence have positively impacted countless lives, and your contributions to the development of our dear state and nation are a source of inspiration to many.

“I appreciate you commitment to humanity, dignity of life and welfare of the masses. Sir, I congratulate you and wish you more years in good health and in service to our fatherland, once again, Congratulations sir.”