By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
A fresh crisis has erupted within the Ogun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following conflicting claims over the outcome of the party’s governorship primary election ahead of the 2027 general elections conducted at the weekend.
The controversy began after Barr. Adebimpe Adelowo, on Monday, announced Otunba Jimi Lawal, a close associate of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as winner of the governorship primary with 19,418 votes.
Adelowo, who identified himself as Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Election Committee constituted by the national leadership of the party, said the election was conducted across the 236 wards of the state and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the results announced by him, Lawal defeated two other aspirants — Abiodun Collins Ogundipe, who polled 5,775 votes, and Dr. Marie Abolaji Odusina, who secured 4,825 votes.
Declaring Lawal winner, Adelowo said the exercise was peaceful and transparent, adding that ADC remained “the party to beat” ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, less than 24 hours after Lawal’s emergence, the Ogun State chapter of the party swiftly rejected the declaration, describing it as false, unauthorized, null and void.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Olumide Onabajo, the party insisted that Adelowo was not a member of the duly constituted electoral committee mandated by the national leadership to conduct the governorship primary election in Ogun State.
The party stated that the authentic electoral committee was headed by Adeniyi Adams as chairman and Babatunde Moshood as secretary, stressing that Adelowo lacked the authority and constitutional backing to announce any result on behalf of the ADC.
According to the statement, the valid governorship primary election was peacefully conducted across all wards under the supervision of the recognized electoral committee, with Dr. Biodun Collins Ogundipe, popularly known as BCO, emerging victorious.
“The attention of the African Democratic Congress, Ogun State Chapter, has been drawn to a misleading and unauthorized publication claiming that one Barrister Adebimpe Adelowo announced Otunba Jimi Lawal as the winner of the Ogun State Governorship Primary Election.
“We hereby state categorically that the said announcement is null, void, misleading, and of no effect whatsoever,” the statement read.
The party accused unnamed individuals of attempting to create confusion within the ADC through the circulation of fabricated results, warning that such actions could undermine internal democracy and trigger unnecessary tension within the party.
The statement further maintained that the authentic primary election was free, fair and credible, adding that it was witnessed by party leaders, security agencies, observers and stakeholders across the state.
The Ogun ADC reaffirmed its support for Ogundipe, describing him as a candidate committed to youth empowerment, economic growth, improved healthcare, education reform and transparent governance.
The party also urged members and supporters to disregard the result announced in favour of Lawal and remain loyal to what it described as the authentic outcome of the governorship primary.
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