By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

About 35 councillors from the Ogun West Senatorial District have rejected what they described as a purported endorsement of Senator Solomon Adeola, for the 2027 Ogun State governorship race.

The councillors, under the aegis of the Ogun West Councillors Forum (DA Team), said no collective decision was taken by councillors across the district to adopt any aspirant, warning that attempts to project such claims could undermine internal democracy within the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The councillors, in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, said the meeting convened by a group of their colleagues, was wrongly presented as the unanimous position of all the 59 councillors in Ogun West.

They described the claim as “false, misleading and capable of creating unnecessary tension within the party.”

In the statement signed by the Deputy Leader of the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Legislative Council, Hon. Lateef Oseni, they noted that process leading to the emergence of the APC governorship candidate in 2027 must remain open, credible and guided strictly by party rules.

According to him, no recognised body of councillors from Ogun West had reached a consensus on the governorship race.

“The impression that a consensus had been reached by councillors in Ogun West is inaccurate. No such collective decision was taken and no forum of Ogun West councillors adopted a preferred governorship candidate,” Oseni said.

The councillors cautioned party leaders against attempts to elevate political newcomers who, according to them, lack the experience and historical grounding in the district’s political evolution.

They noted that Ogun West is blessed with capable and experienced politicians who understand the district’s political dynamics and have served the people over time.

“It is premature and inappropriate for any group to claim a consensus endorsement at this stage of consultations,” the forum added.

The councillors further distanced themselves from the meeting where the alleged endorsement reportedly took place, describing it as inconsistent with democratic norms and party discipline.

They warned that endorsements driven by inducement rather than genuine conviction could weaken the credibility of the political process.

“Political support is increasingly being treated as a commodity. This trend inflates the cost of politics, weakens conviction and erodes trust between leaders and the people,” the forum stated.

While clarifying their position on the 2027 governorship race, the councillors reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and pledged support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, promising to mobilise grassroots backing for his second term.

They also expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun, commending his respect for party structures and his commitment to inclusiveness as leader of the party in Ogun State.

On the issue of zoning, the councillors maintained that the agitation for a governor from Ogun West remains legitimate and long overdue, arguing that the district has consistently delivered electoral support for the APC without producing a governor.

They also acknowledged what they described as the goodwill shown by political stakeholders from Egba and Ijebu zones in supporting the principle of fairness and equity in the state’s leadership rotation.

However, the forum stressed that whoever eventually emerges as the governorship candidate from Ogun West must possess verifiable roots in the district and a track record of service to the people.

They warned against “convenience candidacies” and transactional politics driven by financial inducement.

The councillors urged party leaders and aspirants to uphold integrity and allow experience, competence and party guidelines to guide the process ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We remain committed to party supremacy, credible primaries and the outcome of a transparent democratic process,” the forum said. “Our position is guided by principle and our responsibility to the people we represent.”