Ogun West Councillors Warn Against Nominating Political Newcomers for Key Positions, Reaffirm Support for Tinubu, Abiodun

The Ogun West Councillors’ Forum has issued a strong warning to party leaders, cautioning them against nominating political newcomers with untraceable backgrounds and no clear party lineage for sensitive positions, particularly elective offices. The forum argued that such nominations often breed disloyalty, indiscipline, and betrayal within the party.

In a statement issued following the forum’s declaration of unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun as leaders of the ruling party, the councillors emphasised the need for experience and loyalty in political appointments. They noted that nominating inexperienced entrants without a solid foundation in party politics encourages financial inducement and undermines internal stability.

This caution comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. The forum specifically addressed recent developments in the Ogun West Senatorial District, where some councillors were reported to have endorsed a gubernatorial aspirant. According to the forum, such endorsements may have resulted from a lack of adequate party experience and the misuse of unexpected opportunities given to some nominees.

“We believe that councillors should be consulted by all aspirants rather than councillors consulting and endorsing a particular aspirant while in office,” the forum stated, stressing that such actions. However, common in political dynamics, it often damages the party’s image.

The councillors further urged party leaders to prioritise political experience, loyalty, and verifiable party history when making nominations, warning that sudden or emerging politicians without adequate grounding may later use their positions against the party.

The forum’s position aligns with recent declarations by over 35 councillors from Ogun West who publicly rejected a purported endorsement of a governorship aspirant earlier in March 2026. Speaking through Hon. Lateef Oseni, Deputy Leader of the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Legislative Council, the group described claims of a consensus by all 59 councillors in the district as “false and misleading”.

The councillors insisted that no collective decision was taken and warned against actions capable of undermining internal democracy within the All Progressives Congress (APC). They emphasised that leadership in Ogun West requires a deep understanding of its political history, structures, and people, cautioning against elevating newcomers without historical grounding in the district.

This is not the first time endorsement controversies have emerged in Ogun West. During the 2019 governorship race, similar disputes arose when the Ogun West Consultative Forum (OWECOF) endorsed Senator Solomon Adeola as a consensus candidate, a move rejected by other aspirants who described the exercise as a “sham” and “fraudulent”. Aspirants including Gboyega Nasir Isiaka and Abiodun Akinlade denied participating in any screening process, accusing the group of misrepresentation.

The councillors reaffirmed that the demand for a governor from Ogun West remains legitimate and overdue, noting that the district has demonstrated loyalty and electoral value to the APC over the years without producing a governor. They acknowledged the goodwill shown by stakeholders from the Egba and Ijebu zones on the question of equity, describing it as vital to sustaining unity across the state.

However, the forum stressed that whoever emerges as Ogun West’s standard-bearer must have verifiable roots in the district and a record of service, warning against “convenience candidacies” and transactional politics driven by money and inducements.

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

The forum reiterated its loyalty to the APC and declared full support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, pledging to mobilise support for his second term. They also expressed confidence in Governor Dapo Abiodun, commending his leadership style, respect for party structures, and commitment to balance and inclusion as party leader in Ogun State.

The councillors called on party leaders and aspirants to discourage practices that undermine credibility and allow integrity, experience, and capacity to guide the 2027 process. They pledged their commitment to party supremacy, credible primaries, and the eventual outcome of a transparent process, emphasising that their stance is guided by principle and accountability to constituents.

Concluding their statement, the Ogun West Councillors’ Forum reiterated the need for discipline and responsible leadership to protect the integrity and future of the party. They urged party leaders to place greater emphasis on political experience, loyalty, and party history when making nominations, warning that the nomination of inexperienced entrants without a solid party foundation could threaten the party’s manifesto and internal cohesion.