By Dayo Johnson Akure

Six frontline aspirants for the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly ticket in Akoko South West Constituency 1, Ondo State, have withdrawn from the race and unanimously endorsed Hon. Akogun Olugbenga Omole as the consensus candidate for 2027.

The announcement was made at a stakeholders’ meeting attended by party leaders, community elders, Local Government Party Chairman Hon. Sunday Agbede Ajulu, ward chairmen, councillors, and supporters from across the constituency.

The aspirants said the decision was driven by the need to strengthen party unity and present a coordinated front ahead of the next general election.

Those who stepped down include Prince Gbenga Osewa (Ward 1), Murphy Adamolekun Omoluabi (Ward 7), Dr. Niyi Leramo (Ward 6), Gbenga Enyadunmo (Ward 7), Prince Adeniyi Osewa (Ward 1), and Donald Ologbese (Ward 8).

In a joint statement, they described the move as a collective sacrifice aimed at placing the constituency’s interest above personal ambition.

“Akoko Southwest Constituency 1 is bigger than any individual ambition,.

“We have chosen to put the people first and work together for the progress of our constituency.

“Today, we declare our full loyalty to the ISE OLUWA LEKAN SI Movement and formally endorse Hon. Akogun Olugbenga Omole as our consensus flag bearer for the Ondo State House of Assembly in 2027.”

They expressed confidence in Omole’s ability to represent the constituency effectively, citing his contributions to party development and member empowerment.

“Hon. Akogun Olugbenga Omole has paid his dues in this party. He has developed a lot of party members, and we believe in his capacity to represent this constituency adequately,” they added.

Party elders at the gathering described the development as a major step toward political stability, calling it a “rare act of political maturity and selflessness.”

They noted that consolidating support behind a single candidate would reduce internal tensions and improve the APC’s electoral prospects.

Responding, Omole thanked the aspirants and stakeholders for their unity and loyalty. He promised an inclusive campaign and, if elected, people-oriented representation for the constituency.

Omole said “I will not take this support for granted,” he said, pledging to carry all interests along in the political process leading up to 2027.

With the endorsement, Omole’s campaign has gained significant momentum as several political blocs within the constituency now align behind his candidacy.