Ogun ADC dismisses report disowning Ogundipe, backing Jimi Lawal

The Ogun State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has dismissed reports claiming that it disowned Biodun Collins Ogundipe as its 2027 governorship candidate and endorsed Jimi Lawal.

The party described the claims as false and misleading.

Acording to the party, the report was a deliberate attempt to distort facts surrounding the conduct of the ADC governorship primary election in the state.

MEDIA TODAY had reported that the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Adeniyi Adams, declared Ogundipe as the winner of the primary election after he polled the highest number of votes.

According to the official results announced, Biodun Collins Ogundipe polled 9,370 votes, while Jimi Lawal secured 6,812 votes and Marie Odusina, 2,349 votes.

However, on Wednesday, a report was circulated online claiming that the state leadership was unaware of any primary election that produced Ogundipe as the party’s governorship candidate.

It also alleged that Ogundipe was being used by unnamed individuals to disrupt the party and undermine its chances in the 2027 general election.

Reacting, the Ogun ADC State Publicity Secretary, Olumide Onabajo, in a statement on Wednesday, said a re-run was conducted in some areas during collation to ensure fairness and credibility, but that did not amount to a fresh primary.

The statement reads, “There was only one duly conducted governorship primary election of the African Democratic Congress in Ogun State.

“All three aspirants, Biodun Collins Ogundipe, Jimi Lawal, and Marie Odusina participated in that single primary election. There was no separate or parallel primary election.

“During the collation process, issues affecting some areas necessitated a re-run, which was agreed to by the stakeholders as part of completing the same primary election.

“A re-run is not a fresh primary election. It is merely a continuation of the same electoral process to ensure fairness and credibility.

“Unfortunately, before the duly constituted Electoral Committee concluded and formally announced the final outcome, certain individuals who were not members of the Electoral Committee purported to announce Otunba Jimi Lawal as the winner.

“No unauthorized declaration can override the decision of the committee vested with that responsibility.”

The statement further faulted the announcement of Jimi Lawal as winner, noting that those behind the action lacked the authority of the committee legally empowered to declare the result of the primary election.

“That announcement lacked the authority of the committee legally empowered to declare the result of the primary election. The announcement made by persons without authority cannot supersede the declaration of the committee empowered to conduct and announce the results of the primary election.

“If Otunba Jimi Lawal was the undisputed winner of the governorship primary as now claimed by the Soluade group, why has he instituted legal proceedings against the African Democratic Congress, Dr. Biodun Collins Ogundipe, and INEC?” the party asked.

The party urged all parties to allow the court to determine the matter rather than resort to media propaganda.

“Political disagreements should be resolved through lawful and constitutional means, not through media propaganda. The ADC remains committed to internal democracy, due process, and the rule of law.

“We urge party members and the general public to disregard misleading narratives intended to rewrite the facts. The issues in dispute are already before a court of competent jurisdiction, and we have confidence that justice will prevail,” the statement added