A lawyer and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Ademola Okeowo, on Tuesday stepped down his 2027 aspiration to represent the people of Ijebu North Constituency I in the Ogun State House of Assembly, in support of the party’s consensus candidate, Olatunbosun Ipaye.
Okeowo disclosed this while addressing party members and the media at the Ijebu North Local Government APC secretariat, Ijebu Igbo, on Tuesday.
He said his conviction that leadership must be anchored on service, integrity, competence, and genuine love for the people made him join the assembly race, but that since party leaders had spoken, he had decided to shelve his ambition to preserve party unity.
Okeowo stated, “I have always believed that leadership must be anchored on service, integrity, competence, and genuine love for the people. It was this conviction that informed my participation in the race to represent the good people of Ijebu-Igbo.
“Without doubt, the overwhelming support, encouragement, and acceptance I received across wards, communities, and stakeholder groups clearly demonstrated that our movement had become a formidable force and a symbol of hope for many people.
“The energy, structure, and acceptance we built together remain a testament to the trust the people repose in our vision and leadership capacity.
“However, after extensive consultations with party leaders, respected elders, political associates, and key stakeholders within our great party, and in line with the spirit of unity, loyalty, discipline, and collective interest, I have decided to step down unconditionally in support of the party’s consensus candidate.
“This decision was not taken out of weakness, fear, or lack of capacity. Indeed, many within and outside the party strongly believe that I possess the competence, popularity, credibility, and winning capacity required to emerge victorious at the polls.
“Consequently, I hereby announce the collapse of my political structure into that of our party’s consensus candidate.
“I call on all my supporters, coordinators, youths, women groups, stakeholders, and political associates across all wards and communities to fully mobilise and work tirelessly for the success of our party in the forthcoming general election.”
Speaking at the event, the Vice Chairman of the APC in Ijebu North Local Government, Alhaji Adesegun Adenola, hailed the lawyer’s decision to align with the party’s position on the candidate for the Assembly seat.
Adenola said about 14 aspirants had signified interest in contesting for the Assembly seat, but the number was later pruned to four aspirants.
He said out of the four remaining aspirants, two, including Dr. Okeowo, had stepped down their ambition, leaving one other aspirant who is also believed will support the party’s consensus arrangement before the primary slated for tomorrow.
