The Oyo State African Democratic Congress (ADC) Deputy Governorship Aspirant, Niyi Mogaji, has said the party’s internal dispute will not stop his camp from campaigning ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, Mogaji said the party’s governorship ticket dispute should be resolved through justice and respect for the outcome of the primary, insisting that members who participated in the election had made their choice.
“The ground for reconciliation is justice. And it’s fairness. And it’s equity. You can’t come and want to produce your way into a room that is not yours.”
Mogaji responding to the dispute over the ADC’s Oyo governorship ticket, with rival camps laying claim to the party’s candidacy said the disagreement has centred on competing primary exercises and the names submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stating that the reconciliation would only be possible if those challenging the primary accepted the outcome and respected the decision of party members.
“You need to recognise the fact that you didn’t win that election. Then you need to recognise the fact that you cannot impose a candidate on us in your state.”
Mogaji said the party members’ decision should be respected, arguing that his camp was not working against the ADC but was seeking to protect the party’s internal process. “The party members have decided. And the wish of the party members have to be obeyed and respected. We are not against ADC, for ADC and for Atikwa Mbaka.”
He said his camp would continue with its campaign despite the dispute, expressing confidence that the courts would eventually settle the matter. “We have flagged up our campaign. And we shall proceed to it.”
The ADC’s Oyo governorship dispute has involved competing claims over a May 22 primary won by Gbemileke Alagbe and another exercise that produced Adegboyega Adegoke as a candidate. Both sides have relied on different claims about the validity of the exercises and the party’s processes. “It shows that our primary was conducted on the 22nd of May. And the NDSS was there. And I was publicly announced by the committee that was supposed to conduct the primaries.”
Mogaji also said his camp had engaged the relevant party leadership in an effort to resolve the dispute, but that those efforts had not produced an agreement. “I sat with Arebe over five times. And he has made up his mind.”
He maintained that his position was based on the need to comply with existing court decisions concerning the party’s structure in Oyo State. “Personally we are not against David Mack leadership. Or Arebe Solas leadership. But in our state there has been a judgment affirming a faction. And that faction we conducted the primaries. In line with the constitution of the party. And we won.”
Mogaji said the party should respect court decisions while the dispute remains before the judiciary. “Now we expect the party to please obey the judgment of the courts.”
He also linked the dispute to the broader question of internal democracy, arguing that a primary conducted contrary to a court decision should not stand. “If you are conducting the primary in contravention of the decision of the courts. To me that primary cannot stand.”
Beyond the ticket dispute, Mogaji outlined an agenda centred on economic growth, employment, agriculture, security and infrastructure if his camp eventually takes power in Oyo State. “We need to stop demolition of houses. We need to allow local government to function. We need to ensure that we create jobs for the youth.”
Mogaji also said agriculture would be treated as a major driver of the state economy, with a focus on processing farm produce before export. “We are going to make sure we have a great board. That is going to make sure that farmers produce. And process it to semi-finished goods and export it.”
On unemployment, he proposed establishing an industrial corridor to attract industries and create jobs across the state. “We are going to ensure that there is an industrial corridor. So that we are able to create employment. Without the issue of unemployment squarely in Oyo State.”
Mogaji identified insecurity as another major challenge, particularly because of what he described as ungoverned spaces across the state. “Oyo State has a lot of ungoverned spaces.”
He proposed the use of drones and other technology to monitor such areas and provide intelligence to security agencies. “So we believe in drones and other technology. To go from those ungoverned spaces. And to give the government intelligence.”
Mogaji said his camp remained confident about its prospects in the 2027 election, despite the unresolved party dispute. “And we are sure of winning the election. Once we receive personal judgment. It doesn’t matter that it’s a crisis.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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