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The Ogun State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Abayomi Tella, has urged residents of the state to remain vigilant ahead of the 2027 governorship election, warning against what he described as attempts to impose “impostors” as leaders of the state.
Speaking on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, on Wednesday, Tella defended the PDP’s “Ogun for Ogun” campaign slogan, insisting that the state should be governed by individuals with deep-rooted ties to Ogun who understand its history, culture and developmental priorities.
According to him, the campaign reflects the party’s conviction that effective governance requires leaders who have lived among the people and possess firsthand knowledge of the state’s peculiar challenges and aspirations.
Illustrating his position, Tella cited himself as an example of someone who has spent his life in Ogun State and therefore understands the needs of its people.
He argued that leaders without strong roots in the state could lack the commitment required to drive meaningful development and might prioritise associates from outside Ogun in key government appointments instead of qualified indigenes.
“Ogun State has enormous potential, and someone who truly knows the state will ensure that opportunities and appointments benefit its people rather than outsiders,” he said.
The PDP chairman warned residents against accepting candidates who, in his view, lacked genuine connections to Ogun State, urging voters to safeguard their right to elect leaders who understand the state’s realities.
Although Tella did not mention any individual or political party by name, his comments come amid continuing debates surrounding the indigeneity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship consensus candidate, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
The senator’s long political career in neighbouring Lagos State has remained a subject of public debate, with critics questioning his suitability to govern Ogun State.
Former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has been among the prominent voices challenging Adeola’s emergence in Ogun politics.
Even before her defection from the APC to the PDP, Obasanjo had publicly criticised Adeola’s transition from Lagos politics to Ogun, describing it as politically opportunistic and arguing that leaders who had consistently built their political careers within Ogun deserved greater consideration.
Tella urged Ogun residents to remain vigilant throughout the electoral process.
“The people of Ogun State must be alert. They should not allow impostors in their state,” he said.
The PDP chairman also addressed concerns over the party membership of former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo following her defection to the PDP, insisting that all legal and procedural requirements were complied with.
According to him, Obasanjo resigned from her former political party before the deadline stipulated under the Electoral Act and was duly registered as a PDP member in accordance with the law.
“Everything that is done is perfectly in line with the Electoral Act. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo became a member of this party before the deadline and resigned from her former party accordingly,” he stated.
On possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, Tella said the PDP remained open to strategic collaborations where necessary but stressed that any decision on a national coalition would be determined by the party’s national leadership.
He noted that political parties would naturally evaluate their options as the elections draw closer, adding that while state chapters could explore partnerships where beneficial, the final decision on national alliances would rest with the PDP’s national leadership.
Tella further maintained that, as an opposition party, the PDP would continue to hold governments accountable while pursuing political strategies aimed at returning the party to power in Ogun State and across the country.
