Confusion and political tension have trailed the dramatic omission of Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, from the list of aspirants for the Ogun West Senatorial primaries of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
APC Senatorial primaries are scheduled for today, across the State of the Federation.
The development, described by party stalwarts and political analysts as unprecedented, has thrown the ruling party into a storm of uncertainty and raised questions about fairness, loyalty and inclusion.
The exclusion has sparked reactions among party faithful and supporters across Ogun West, especially as the Deputy Governor had openly prepared for the race through consultations with party leaders, stakeholders, women groups and political associates across the district.
Findings revealed that Salako-Oyedele had purchased her nomination forms and intensified consultations across the five local government areas in Ogun West ahead of the primaries.
Political observers described her aspiration as significant, noting that she remained the only prominent female aspirant from Ogun West District seeking the senatorial ticket, a development many believed would strengthen women’s political participation within the party.
Speaking on the development, a member of She Leads Advocacy Group, Desola Jolaogun, described the omission as shocking and disappointing.
Jolaogun said the Deputy Governor had demonstrated commitment to the process through wide consultations and engagement with stakeholders across Ogun West.
“It is surprising that a woman who has shown capacity, loyalty to the party and commitment to grassroots consultations would have her name missing from the list at this stage. Many women across Ogun West were looking forward to her participation in the primaries,” he said.
Supporters of the Deputy Governor also expressed surprise over the exclusion, insisting that she fulfilled necessary requirements and remained actively involved in consultations leading to the exercise.
The development has since generated conversations within political circles in Ogun State, with some party members demanding clarification over the circumstances surrounding the list.
Recall that a prominent APC chieftain in Ogun East, Otunba Fatai Sowemimo, had earlier warned that political impositions and exclusionary tactics could fracture the party’s unity.
He stressed that sidelining respected leaders and loyal stakeholders risked creating resentment that might not manifest in open defection but in silent withdrawal of electoral energy.
Many supporters have also pointed out that Ogun State last produced a female Senator over two decades, ago when Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello served in the Senate about 22 years ago.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ogun State chapter of the APC had yet to issue an official reaction on the matter.
Meanwhile, political analysts have again sent note of warning, that if emerging tensions and tendencies of exclusion are not checked, the party could face commotion in the coming months, with fractured alliances, weakened mobilisation and diminished enthusiasm ahead of the 2027 elections.
With the raging confusion and tension, pundits have raised alarm that the fate of APC in Ogun State may hinge not on opposition strength, but on how effective it can manage its internal crises.
