The Ogun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress, under the factional leadership of Emmanuel Famojuro, on Tuesday said that Dr Biodun Ogundipe, an Artificial Intelligence expert based in Canada, is the winner of the party’s governorship primary, and he is therefore the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 elections.
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In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olumide Onabajo, the party condemned what it described as the unauthorized publication, claiming that one Adebimpe Adelowo has announced Otunba Jimi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as the winner of the governorship primary.
In a statement made available to journalists on Tuesday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olumide Onabajo, the party condemned what it described as the unauthorized publication, claiming that one Adebimpe Adelowo has announced Otunba Jimi Lawal, a former aide to ex-Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, as the winner of the governorship primary.
Adelowo, said to be the Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Election Committee set up by the leadership of the party, had on Monday at the state party secretariat announced Lawal as the winner of the party’s governorship primary after polling 19,428 votes to defeat Ogundipe with 5,775 votes and Dr. Marie Odusina, who had 4,825 votes.
The party, however, described Adelowo’s action as null and void, claiming that he is not a member of the committee and that the party leadership is responsible for conducting the governorship primary in the state.
The statement partly reads “The attention of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogun State Chapter, has been drawn to a misleading and unauthorized publication claiming that one Barrister Adebimpe Adelowo announced Otunba Jimi Lawal as the winner of the Ogun State Governorship Primary Election.
“We hereby state categorically that the said announcement is null, void, misleading, and of no effect whatsoever.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Barrister Adebimpe Adelowo was not a member of the duly constituted electoral committee sent to Ogun State by the national leadership of our great party to conduct the governorship primary election.
“Therefore, he lacks the authority, legitimacy, and constitutional backing to announce any result on behalf of the party”
The party stated that its authentic governorship primary election was peacefully and successfully conducted across all wards in the state under the supervision of the properly constituted electoral committee recognized by the party’s national leadership.
It added that “At the conclusion of the transparent and credible exercise, Dr. Biodun Collins Ogundipe, popularly known as BCO, emerged victorious and was duly declared winner of the governorship primary election.
“The exercise was free, fair, credible, and witnessed by party leaders, members, security agencies, observers, and stakeholders across Ogun State.
“We strongly condemn every attempt by unauthorized individuals to mislead party members and create confusion within the public space through the circulation of fabricated results and false declarations.
“Such actions are capable of undermining internal democracy and causing unnecessary tension within the party”
Ogundipe is said to remain committed to building a united, progressive, and prosperous Ogun State where governance will prioritize the welfare of the people.
The party said that Ogundipe is committed to massive investment in youth empowerment and job creation through technology, agriculture, and industrial development, improvement of healthcare delivery and access to quality medical services across rural and urban communities, among others.
The party said that Ogundipe has consistently maintained that the future of Ogun State must be built on unity, inclusiveness, competence, and genuine service to the people.
Onabajo has therefore called on all party faithful, supporters, and members of the public to disregard the fake result being circulated and remain steadfast in supporting the authentic outcome of the governorship primary election.
He added that ADC in the state remains united, focused, and determined to deliver victory in the 2027 general elections.
Recall that the Chairman of the Electoral Committee for the state, Adeniyi Adams, had on Monday announced Ogundipe, fondly called BCO, as the winner of the party’s governorship primary, having scored 9,370 votes to defeat Otunba Lawal, who got 6,812 votes, and Dr Marie Odusina, who got 2,349 votes.
