10 Apex Leaders Back Sanusi, Not 7 – Odeda APC Rejects ‘False’ Consensus Claims
ODEDA – The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Apex Leaders’ Forum in Odeda Local Government has dismissed as “false and misleading” a viral statement claiming that only seven members attempted to impose a consensus candidate for the 2027 State Assembly election.
In a rejoinder issued on Wednesday, the forum insisted that ten out of fifteen eligible Apex Leaders formally adopted Hon. Adebayo Olayemi Sanusi as the party’s consensus candidate for the Odeda State Constituency seat. The leaders also rejected the notion that Elder Alao Fajinmi’s personal reservations invalidate the collective resolution.
Speaking through the Secretary of the forum, Dr. Hon. Fatai Adebimpe, and the Pro Tem Chairman, Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu, the leaders provided a breakdown of the voting strength.
According to the rejoinder, the Odeda APC Apex body has 17 members. However, two were ineligible to participate in the consensus process: the State Chairman of the party (who also serves as Chairman of the Odeda LG Apex Leaders) by virtue of his neutrality, and Hon. Daisi Elemide, who is himself an aspirant for the same seat. This left 15 eligible leaders.
“Out of these 15, the following ten formally aligned with the adoption of Hon. Adebayo Olayemi Sanusi,” the statement read, listing:
1. Apostle Abiodun Sanyaolu
2. Hon. Folasade Adeyemo
3. Hon. Elder Olalekan Israel
4. Alhaji Yusuf Fatai
5. Hon. Bola Lawal
6. Hon. Dr. Adulfatai Adebimpe
7. Pastor Onaolapo Isaac
8. Hon. Ogundipe Israel
9. Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu
10. Hon. Tomi Coker
The leaders noted that Pastor Michael Fajinmi, the recognised Apex Chairman, was present at the start of the final adoption meeting on Tuesday, 12th May 2026, but was granted permission to leave to attend to his daughter’s health emergency.
Four other leaders were unavoidably absent: Hon. Musulumi Saka, Hon. Musiliu Akindele (who reportedly left hurriedly), Senator Olugbenga Obadara, and Hon. Ajibola Ogunsiji.
Reacting to the claim that Elder Alao Fajinmi had distanced himself from the move, the forum clarified that while Elder Fajinmi is a respected figure, his personal opinion does not override the majority decision of ten leaders.
“No consensus process requires 100% unanimity under party guidelines. A supermajority of eligible leaders is sufficient where all aspirants are duly consulted,” the rejoinder stated.
The leaders described the allegation that “seven out of seventeen decided for all” as a “reckless fabrication,” stressing that the adoption followed broad consultations and that Hon. Sanusi emerged based on grassroots appeal and capacity to deliver the seat for the APC in 2027.
The forum reaffirmed its respect for the Electoral Act 2022, noting that consensus is explicitly recognised as a mode of nomination under the Act and APC guidelines, provided it is voluntary and documented.
“Our process was duly documented. No one is being forced. However, we reject the false narrative that only a primary election can legitimise a candidate where consensus has been genuinely achieved by the majority,” the leaders added.
The Apex Leaders’ Forum urged all party faithful in Odeda Local Government to disregard the misleading headlines and attempts to cause disunity.
“The adoption of Hon. Adebayo Olayemi Sanusi stands. Ten Apex Leaders have spoken, and their decision is in the best interest of our party’s victory in 2027. Together, we will move Odeda forward,” the rejoinder concluded.
The adoption has also received endorsements from six ward councillors, six ward chairmen, the local government women leader, and the local government youth leader, Comrade Timothy Odedina, who has famously declared, “It is youth o’clock.”
—
