Controversy further raged on Saturday over the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship ticket in Oyo State, 72 hours after the national leadership of the party released the list of candidates for 28 states.
Two camps have been at loggerheads over the ticket in Oyo since the conduct of parallel primaries to produce the party’s standard-bearer for the 2027 general election.
A matter on the issue is pending before a High Court in Ibadan, the state capital.
A contestant in the primaries, who was recently chosen as the running mate for the election, Barrister Niyi Aborisade, said in a statement on Saturday that a court of competent jurisdiction would decide on the valid candidate of the ADC for the state in the forthcoming governorship election.
His words: “The court will soon adjudicate on this matter and we are confident that justice will prevail at the end of the day.
“We are appealing to all our members and our supporters to remain calm and that we will soon be on the ballot and the positive change that we are promising you will become a reality.”
He added that the party members would not be intimidated into abandoning legitimate and constitutional means of seeking justice and fairness, as he and other party faithful would soon embark on electioneering ahead of the general election.
Part of his statement read: “The list of governors and deputy governors published by ADC is not a reflection of the situation on the ground, particularly in Oyo State.
“The Oyo State governorship candidates’ matter is already in court.
“It is well known by the members of Oyo ADC that Dr Gbemileke Alagbe Eleniyan won the primary election conducted on 22 May 2026. Dr Alagbe has also picked Chief Niyi Aborisade as his deputy. In the recognised primary, Mr Aborisade came second. Dr Alagbe has been issued with a CTC.
“It therefore came as a surprise when the INEC published the names of Oloye Taofeek Adegboyega Adegoke as the candidate of the APC.
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“Oloye Adegoke confessed publicly that he manipulated the system to include his name and others who were not on the INEC list.
“This was a great assault on our democracy, and we have taken the matter to court to seek appropriate remedy.
“The court will soon adjudicate on this matter and we are confident that justice will prevail at the end of the day.
“We are appealing to all our members and our supporters to remain calm and that we will soon be on the ballot and the positive change that we are promising you will become a reality.
“We will start our campaign very soon and we shall be victorious in the coming election in 2027. ADC, arise and shine, for your light has come.”
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