The Chairman of the MAO movement for Change and the Akinfiwatolu of Egba land Chief Mustapha Abdulhakeem Owolabi, popularly known as MAO, has urged the people of Egbaland not to ignore the recent observations by renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), on the dangers of flawed political party primaries, describing them as a direct warning against the imposition of candidates and the erosion of democracy.
Speaking against the backdrop of Falana’s keynote address at the eighth annual lecture of Penpushing Media in Abeokuta, the Egba Chief who is also the chairman of Egba Agenda Forum said the legal icon’s position that credible elections begin with transparent party primaries should resonate deeply with the people of Ogun State as preparations intensify for the 2027 governorship election.
According to him, democracy cannot flourish where the foundation is defective, stressing that a faulty primary election process can only produce a government lacking moral legitimacy and genuine accountability.
“If Femi Falana says electoral integrity begins with transparent party primaries, then every democrat must pay attention. When candidates are imposed and the wishes of party members are ignored, democracy has already been defeated before the general election is held,” Owolabi said.
The Egba Agenda forum leader argued that the process leading to the emergence of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as the preferred governorship aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) had effectively sidelined credible indigenous Egba sons and daughters who possess the competence and pedigree to govern Ogun State.
He listed respected personalities such as former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chief Tunde Lemo, former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola and former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo among distinguished Egba indigenes whose aspirations and contributions deserved fair consideration in an open and democratic contest.
According to Chief Owolabi, the issue goes beyond personalities and political interests, saying it is fundamentally about justice, equity and the preservation of democratic values.
“It is painful that accomplished indigenous Egba sons and daughters who have served Nigeria with distinction could be subtly pushed aside through a process that many believe did not provide a level playing field. Democracy is about competition, not coronation or imposition.”
He maintained that the MAO Movement for Change has never opposed the aspiration of Ogun West to produce the state’s governor, noting that the principle of inclusiveness should be respected.
“We acknowledge that our brothers and sisters from Egbado or Yewa deserve a genuine opportunity to occupy the governorship seat. That is not in dispute. However, such an opportunity must emerge through a transparent, democratic and credible process that reflects the will of party members and the people.”
Chief Owolabi however added that Ogun State deserves a leader whose roots, identity and commitment to the state are unquestionable, arguing that the governorship should not become the subject of controversy over identity or political imposition.
“What Ogun people deserve is a thoroughbred leader whose identity is clear, whose connection with the state is unquestionable and whose emergence is founded on the freely expressed will of party members rather than political manipulation.”
He urged traditional institutions, opinion leaders, professional groups, civil society organisations and all lovers of democracy across Egbaland to defend the principles of fairness and internal democracy, warning that remaining silent in the face of perceived imposition especially with tainted identity would undermine the future of democratic governance in Ogun State.
The MAO Movement chairman further noted that Falana’s remarks at the Penpushing Media lecture should serve as a wake-up call to political parties across the country to embrace transparent primaries, insisting that good governance can only emerge from a process that commands public confidence.
“Our people must not overlook Falana’s message. Electoral integrity starts with credible party primaries. Once the foundation is compromised, governance itself becomes compromised. Right-thinking members of society must reject every form of imposition and insist that the people’s voice remains supreme.”
He concluded by calling on all political stakeholders to place the interests of Ogun State above personal ambitions, saying the state deserves leadership produced through fairness, transparency and genuine democratic choice.
