The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has initiated moves to adopt the consensus method for its upcoming local government primary elections, allegedly to favour aspirants loyal to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun.

This development was disclosed by the state secretary of the party, Omooba Adeleke Aderibigbe Tella, in a WhatsApp message shared with some party leaders over the weekend.

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The message revealed the party’s intention to forward the names of potential candidates where consensus is reached. Where consensus proves difficult, the party has instructed wards to submit two or three names for consideration. Tella emphasised that the local government chairmanship list should be endorsed by notable leaders at the local government level, while councillors’ lists must have endorsements from at least three ward leaders. All lists must be submitted to the Organising Department at the State Secretariat in Abeokuta by Wednesday, 4th September 2024.

According to sources, this move is aimed at allowing Governor Abiodun to impose his loyalists as candidates for the council elections scheduled for 16th November. Reports suggest that since news emerged of the governor’s alleged plans to undermine local government autonomy through the imposition of his cronies, there has been panic within his political camp.

Further reports indicate that Governor Abiodun recently met with selected party leaders, where he issued a stern warning to APC aspirants. He made it clear that only those who pledge loyalty to him would be allowed to contest in the upcoming local government elections. The governor is also said to have directed the suspension of local campaigning and urged party leaders to narrow down candidate selections to ensure his loyalists emerge as candidates.

The governor’s stance has raised concerns among some APC leaders, especially as he reportedly claimed unconditional control over the party’s candidate selection process. Despite these controversial methods, Governor Abiodun remains confident, boasting that any defectors from the party would face defeat in the elections, which will be conducted under the watchful eye of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC).