All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Semanko Abayomi Hunye, has declared that he remains in the race for the 2027 governorship election, despite the emergence of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as the party’s candidate.
Hunye made the declaration while addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday, where he also unveiled Otunba Yomi Odunowo as his deputy governorship aspirant.
The APC aspirant said the decision to pick a running mate was necessary to keep his political campaign active while he pursues his legal challenge against the outcome of the party’s governorship primary.
Hunye rejected the result of the primary, which produced Adeola as the APC candidate, insisting that he would continue to pursue the matter in court.
“I want to tell everybody in Ogun State that that is a big lie. I am still in the race. We are in court,” Hunye said.
“We are challenging the result of the election that announced Yayi as the candidate of the APC, and we are in court. Next Thursday, we will also be in court. I believe God that, at the end of the day, victory is His.”
Adeola was declared winner of the APC governorship primary conducted in May with 304,055 votes, while Hunye was officially recorded as scoring zero.
Hunye has continued to dispute the outcome, alleging that the result did not reflect what transpired during the exercise.
Explaining his decision to unveil a deputy despite the ongoing court case, Hunye said remaining inactive could affect his chances if the judiciary eventually rules in his favour.
He noted that the political process had moved beyond the primary to the campaign stage, which he said would begin on September 9.
According to him, participating in the next phase of the electoral process was important because he did not want his candidacy to be challenged later on the grounds that he failed to campaign.
Hunye said he selected Odunowo because of their longstanding relationship and shared political values.
He described his running mate as a capable politician with the experience and qualities needed to contribute to the development of Ogun State.
“I believe in him. I believe in his ability and capability, that he has the quality to rule this state, to govern this state,” Hunye said.
Hunye also said his choice of Odunowo was influenced by his belief that it was time for the Ijebu axis of Ogun State to produce the next governor.
The APC aspirant subsequently questioned the indigeneity of Adeola, challenging the senator to prove his ancestral connection to Ogun State.
Hunye said the issue was important because of his belief that any candidate seeking to emerge as governor from the Ijebu axis must have genuine roots in the area and understand the challenges facing its people.
“I am from Tube. You can see my roots there. Where I live is in the family house,” he said.
He added that he had been involved in the political struggle for about two decades and claimed to have extensive knowledge of the political dynamics surrounding the governorship contest.
Hunye also dismissed suggestions that political leaders could determine the eventual outcome of the 2027 election, insisting that the final decision remained in the hands of God and the electorate.
“Becoming a governor is not in the hands of any man. It’s in the hands of the Creator,” he said.
He further alleged that some political forces were attempting to sideline him and his supporters, but expressed confidence that his legal challenge would provide an avenue for justice.
Hunye said he remained confident in the judiciary and would continue participating in the political process while pursuing his case.
“I believe in the ability of our people, the support groups and everybody in Ogun State, and, more importantly, a very sincere judiciary,” he said.
He subsequently formally announced Odunowo as his deputy governorship aspirant.
The development adds another layer to the political crisis within the Ogun APC ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Adeola emerged as the APC governorship candidate after the party’s direct primary in May, with the official result giving him 304,055 votes and Hunye zero.
The result has remained disputed by Hunye, who has taken the matter to court.
The controversy follows the APC’s earlier endorsement of Adeola as its consensus candidate, a decision supported by Governor Dapo Abiodun and other party stakeholders.
Adeola, who represents Ogun West Senatorial District in the Senate and previously represented Lagos West, has maintained his position as the APC’s governorship candidate.