Ofin Leaders Reject Alleged Imposition, Urge Governor to Respect Grassroots Choice
Ofin Leaders Reject Alleged Imposition, Urge Governor to Respect Grassroots Choice
PRESS RELEASES
Tension surfaced in Sagamu on Tuesday as leaders of APC Sagamu Constituency 1 (Ofin) openly pushed back against alleged moves to impose candidates for the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.
At a well-attended constituency meeting held at the Sagamu Town Hall, stakeholders expressed strong concern over circulating reports suggesting that candidate selection decisions may have been predetermined without adequate grassroots consultation.
Speaking at the meeting, a prominent leader in Remo and Sagamu Constituency 1, Honourable Muri Obafemi Awolaja, did not hold back in registering his dissatisfaction with the development.
Awolaja, who previously played a leading role in mobilising support for Governor Dapo Abiodun’s emergence as the preferred senatorial candidate for the Ogun East Senatorial District from Remo Division ahead of the 2027 elections, described the reported situation as unacceptable and inconsistent with the principles of participatory politics.
He stated unequivocally that Sagamu Constituency 1 (Ofin) will not compromise its position on candidate nominations, stressing that the constituency remains a decisive force in determining electoral outcomes within the Remo Federal Constituency.
According to him, Ofin’s strength at the polls has consistently provided the margin of victory in previous elections, often offsetting weaker performances in other constituencies.
“We are a major voting bloc. We determine outcomes. It is only fair that our people are allowed to present their candidates,” he said.
Awolaja further emphasised that the people of Ofin must not be sidelined in decisions that directly affect their political representation, insisting that grassroots leadership must be respected and engaged.
He urged the Governor to step back and reconsider any approach that undermines the will of the people, noting that sustainable political success depends on inclusion, consultation, and mutual respect.
“Those of us on the ground understand our people. We know the realities. We must be allowed to play our role in shaping representation,” he added.
Leaders at the meeting echoed similar sentiments, calling for a return to established democratic processes that allow constituencies to freely nominate candidates reflective of their interests and aspirations.
The development signals a growing insistence among grassroots stakeholders for greater inclusion in political decision-making, particularly in constituencies with proven electoral influence.
