Ogun 2027: Yayi’s aide defends APC consensus, dismisses opposition

The political landscape in Ogun State is buzzing with activity as the All Progressives Congress (APC) solidifies its strategy for the 2027 governorship election. Damilare Oloyede, New Media aide to Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, has staunchly defended the party's adoption of a consensus candidate, framing it as a masterstroke in averting internal strife and fortifying the party's electoral prospects. This approach, Oloyede argues, has successfully unified key stakeholders and former aspirants behind a single banner, a feat he deems unprecedented in the state's political history.

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Consensus prevents crisis. Instead of dissipating energy through internal contests, the party has further strengthened itself.

Oloyede's defense comes amidst a broader narrative of APC's preparedness for the upcoming polls. He confidently dismisses the capacity of opposition parties, specifically naming the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to mount a significant challenge. According to him, these parties are plagued by a lack of cohesion and a weak grassroots presence, rendering them incapable of effectively competing with the APC's well-established structure in Ogun State. The PUNCH reports that the consensus arrangement, which saw Yayi emerge as the favored candidate after a stakeholders' meeting attended by Governor Dapo Abiodun and former governors, is seen as a move to ensure continuity of the current administration's policies.

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The party has decided not to have a brickbat of ideas, but to choose the best among them.

From an Ogun State perspective, this emphasis on consensus and party unity is a familiar theme in Nigerian politics, often employed to project an image of strength and stability. The narrative that opposition parties are non-existent or ineffective is a common tactic to demoralize opponents and bolster the ruling party's image. Oloyede's assertion that the APC has chosen 'the best among them' rather than engaging in 'a brickbat of ideas' highlights a pragmatic, albeit potentially less democratic, approach to candidate selection. The focus on sustaining Governor Abiodun's 'solid foundation' and ensuring continuity through Senator Adeola's candidacy underscores the party's strategic objective: to maintain its grip on power by presenting a united front and leveraging established political networks. The PUNCH's reporting captures the internal party dynamics and the strategic positioning of the APC in Ogun State.

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I don’t think we have opposition parties in Ogun State. The PDP seems to be non-existent, and the ADC is not on the ground at all.