The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State has thrown its weight behind the return of the member representing Imeko-Afon State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Jemili Akingbade, ahead of the 2027 general election.
The endorsement was announced on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the APC secretariat in Imeko-Afon, where party leaders and members unanimously adopted Akingbade, popularly known as KOWE, as the preferred candidate for the Assembly seat.
The party said the decision was reached after what it described as broad consultations among leaders and stakeholders across the local government, citing Akingbade’s performance and representation at the State Assembly as reasons for backing his return.
In a move seen as a show of party unity, two aspirants who had earlier indicated interest in contesting the seat, Hon. Olalotan Olusegun and Hon. Aliu Onsa, formally announced their withdrawal from the race and declared support for Akingbade’s re-election bid.
The duo said their decision followed the position of party leaders in the constituency, including former federal lawmaker, Hon. Kayode Oladele; member representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka; and Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, among others, who had reportedly endorsed Akingbade for another term.
Olusegun, a former APC chairman in Imeko-Afon Local Government, said the decision to step down was borne out of loyalty to the party and its collective interest.
According to him, personal ambition must give way to party supremacy and the need to sustain unity within the APC ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Also speaking, Onsa said his withdrawal was in line with the directive of the party’s leadership and in the interest of preserving the strength of the APC in the constituency.
He noted that the decision was necessary to consolidate the party’s structure and reinforce its chances in the forthcoming election.
Speaking on behalf of the party, APC chairman in Imeko-Afon Local Government, Hon. Adebolu Rahman, commended the aspirants for what he described as a rare demonstration of discipline, sacrifice and progressive loyalty.
Rahman said their decision reflected political maturity and a shared commitment to the development of Imeko-Afon State Constituency.
The party thereafter issued a communiqué affirming Akingbade as its consensus choice for the Assembly seat.
Stakeholders at the meeting also endorsed the continuation of the political structure of Hon. Gboyega Nasir Isiaka and pledged full mobilisation for the governorship ambition of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
