A leading aspirant for the Ogun Central Senatorial District seat under the All Progressives Congress, Muraina Banjoko, popularly known as Threeco, has dismissed claims that he has stepped down for former governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, ahead of the party’s primaries.
Banjoko also refuted allegations that his entry into the race was merely to boost the number of aspirants before eventually yielding his ambition for Amosun, describing such claims as false and misleading.
Speaking on the development to the PUNCH, on Saturday the aspirant explained that all contenders were invited to a stakeholders’ meeting of the Ogun Central Senatorial District held in Abeokuta on Thursday, April 23, 2026, to deliberate on the possibility of adopting a consensus candidate.
According to reports from the meeting, Amosun had reportedly listed Banjoko and three other aspirants as having agreed to step down for him. However, Banjoko firmly rejected the claim.
Banjoko stressed that no official decision had been taken by the party leadership regarding consensus or zoning in the district, adding that aspirants are still awaiting further directives.
“We were all invited to the Ogun Central Senatorial Stakeholders’ Meeting in Abeokuta to decide on a consensus candidate for the Ogun Central Senatorial ticket.
“Former governor Amosun, at the meeting, claimed that myself and three others had agreed to step down for him.
“No official position has been taken by the leadership of the party in Ogun Central District now. We are waiting for further communication on the matter,” said.
Questioning the basis of the claim, the aspirant said he had not held any recent discussion with Amosun that could justify such an assertion.
“Where did I step down for him? The last time we had any communication was in July 2025, and we have not had any discussion since then,” he said.
Banjoko, who was a notable political figure during Amosun’s administration as governor of Ogun State, further alleged that the former governor had previously indicated conditions for his return to the Senate.
Despite the unfolding controversy, Banjoko urged his supporters across Ogun Central to remain calm and disregard reports suggesting he had withdrawn from the race.
He emphasised that any decision of such magnitude would require extensive consultation with his political base and stakeholders who have been part of his campaign from the onset.
“This is to douse the tension among my supporters in all parts of Ogun Central. They should remain calm. The process is still ongoing. I have not stepped down for anybody.
“Stepping down is not a decision I can just take without wide consultations with my supporters, who have been part of the process since it started,” he said.
Reaffirming his loyalty to the APC, Banjoko underscored the supremacy of the party and pledged to abide by its rules and guidelines in determining its candidate for the election.
“Our party, the APC, has clear guidelines on the method to be adopted for the emergence of a candidate. I promise to abide by the guidelines of our party, as the party is supreme,” he added.
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