As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its primaries, the party’s stalwarts and stakeholders have warned Governor Dapo Abiodun against the imposition of candidates.
The Eagle Online checks revealed that the disturbing development is considered by many party stakeholders as a bad signal.
They said this is likely to deepen internal divisions ahead of the 2027 general election.
Sources across the state, including the leaders of the APC and those at the grassroots confirmed to this newspaper that supporters have expressed discomfort over what they described as a pattern of endorsements and consensus arrangements perceived to favour loyalists of Governor Abiodun at the expense of broader consultations within the party structure.
Amidst the worries, observers have warned that if the raging manipulation is not carefully managed, the situation could weaken the unity and electoral strength that have sustained the APC’s dominance in Ogun State over the years.
There is growing anxiety in the Ogun East Senatorial District, where the controversial consensus arrangement has reportedly placed Governor Abiodun on a collision course with the former Governor Gbenga Daniel, a figure widely regarded as one of the most influential political forces in the area.
The Eagle Online learned that Daniel’s supporters argue that political popularity and grassroots acceptance are gradually being relegated to the influence of state power, a situation they believe is breeding resentment within the party.
Similarly, in Ogun Central Senatorial District, concerns have emerged over the open projection of Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu as the preferred candidate despite the enduring political structure associated with former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, who is the incumbent.
On their own, loyalists of Amosun consider the move as an attempt to weaken an established political network with deep roots across the district, warning that such developments could ultimately affect mobilisation efforts during elections.
A similar situation has played out in Ogun West Senatorial District, where some stakeholders claim that Abiodun’s Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has been sidelined in favour of another aspirant.
This development has generated debate among party members and women groups, many of whom question the implications of jettisoning the spirit of inclusion, loyalty, and internal fairness within the ruling party.
Following the situation, a prominent APC chieftain in Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Fatai Sowemimo, has warned against political imposition, stressing that the strength of the APC has always rested on its ability to accommodate varying interests and tendencies under one platform.
Sowemimo maintained that while ambition is natural in politics, attempts to silence or suppress other blocs within the party could trigger avoidable internal fractures capable of undermining the party’s future electoral fortunes.
He said: “True leadership is not measured by the power to impose candidates.
“It is measured by the wisdom to unite people with differing ambitions under one political roof.
“A party that refuses to listen to its grassroots today may struggle to hear victory songs tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, political observers have again raised the alarm on the implications of the current tension extending far beyond the senatorial contests already generating debate within the party.
Analysts opined that the crisis could affect governorship calculations, National Assembly and State Assembly contests, presidential mobilisation efforts, voter enthusiasm, and the effectiveness of grassroots campaign structures across the state.
Many APC stalwarts fear that the greater danger may not necessarily come through open defections, but through silent withdrawal of support by aggrieved stakeholders and political blocs.
Political analysts also warn that when party members feel excluded or ignored, they may remain within the fold physically, but disengaging psychologically from mobilisation activities and campaign efforts.
