Ogun 2027: Hunye not fighting APC decision, only negotiating – Former Chief of Staff

Former Chief of Staff to the Ogun State Governor and APC consensus candidate for the Yewa South/Ipokia Federal Constituency, Toyin Taiwo, has described the governorship ambition of Abayomi Hunye as a bargaining move and not a direct confrontation with the party.

Taiwo spoke on Monday during an appearance on Splash FM, Abeokuta, where he addressed issues around the 2027 governorship race in Ogun State.

According to him, Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, emerged as the APC consensus governorship candidate after broad consultations involving former governors, party elders and other key stakeholders in the state.

He argued that Hunye’s purchase of the governorship nomination form despite the emergence of a consensus candidate was a familiar political tactic aimed at securing relevance and negotiating for other positions within the party structure.

The former chief of staff recalled that Hunye deployed a similar approach during Governor Dapo Abiodun’s first term, which later earned him a commissioner appointment.

He said, “Hunye has his distinctive way of playing politics. In my view, he obtained the nomination form as part of a strategy to negotiate for a political position.

“A loyal member of the APC is expected to respect the principle of party supremacy and abide by decisions taken through the appropriate party structures. Hunye’s recent actions do not demonstrate sufficient respect for that principle,” he stated.

The APC chieftain insisted that Hunye is currently under suspension, a sanction that started from his ward and was upheld through the party hierarchy, adding that such status limits his ability to challenge a collective party decision.

Taiwo also debunked claims that the people of Ipokia had endorsed Hunye for governor, stressing that no such collective resolution exists in the area.

He asserted that Hunye is now seeking a soft landing and reconciliation after the party made its stance clear on the governorship ticket, describing the moves as strategic repositioning ahead of 2027.

On APC’s chances in the next election, Taiwo said the performance of President Bola Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Governor Abiodun’s ISEYA achievements, and Senator Adeola’s constituency projects have positioned the party for victory.

He expressed confidence that Adeola would defeat PDP’s Ladi Adebutu in the governorship contest.

“Yayi will beat Adebutu convincingly across the 20 local governments. The only thing in doubt is the margin,” he declared, while promising to push for Federal Government attention on Tongeji Island and expand his education support and empowerment programmes for students, market women and youths if elected.