Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has called on aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adhere strictly to local government zoning arrangements and adopt consensus-building strategies as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The governor also announced a package of incentives aimed at promoting unity within the party, including the refund of nomination form fees and the offer of political appointments to aspirants who either fail to secure party tickets or voluntarily step down under a consensus arrangement.
Abiodun made the appeal on Monday during a strategic meeting held in Abeokuta with aspirants for the House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly, alongside party leaders from the 20 local government areas of the state.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the governor emphasised that while numerous party members are qualified to contest elective positions, only one candidate can emerge per seat.
He urged aspirants to prioritise party cohesion by engaging in dialogue and compromise, rather than pursuing divisive contests that could undermine the party’s electoral strength.
“The zoning arrangements across local governments would serve as a guiding framework to promote fairness, equity, and inclusion within the party,” Abiodun stated, adding, “I am not a dictator and I have no intention of imposing candidates.”
He further noted that decisions regarding candidate selection would be based on consultations with grassroots stakeholders, whom he described as best positioned to assess aspirants and recommend credible candidates.
The governor cautioned against the risks associated with contentious primaries, warning that such processes often breed resentment, financial strain, and internal divisions capable of weakening the party ahead of elections.
To mitigate these challenges, Abiodun reiterated his commitment to consensus-building, which he said would enhance unity and strengthen the APC’s chances in the polls.
The statement also disclosed that the governor had pledged to refund nomination form fees to unsuccessful aspirants, alongside offering them compensation and future political opportunities within the party structure.
He revealed that several aspirants who had previously stepped down or aligned with party decisions had already been considered for government appointments, describing the initiative as a deliberate strategy to retain experienced members and discourage anti-party activities.
Drawing from his personal political trajectory, Abiodun encouraged aspirants to remain patient and steadfast.
“I started contesting in 1993 and only became governor in 2019. If you don’t get it today, you may get it tomorrow,” he said.
He clarified that the incentives were not intended to induce loyalty but to recognise commitment and foster internal cohesion within the party.
Party elders, including Kola Ogunjobi, Olu Agemo, Adekunle Adesina, Gbenga Kaka, and Iyabo Apampa, commended the initiative, describing it as a pragmatic approach to managing internal competition while rewarding loyalty among party members.
