A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State over its adoption of the Ogun West Senator, Solomon Adeola, also known as Yayi, as consensus governorship candidate.

Reacting on Tuesday, Showunmi described the move as an “imposition” rather than a credible consensus, warning that it reflects a broader attempt at “state capture” that must be resisted.

He stated this in a statement titled “From Magbon to Now: We Will Not Be Conquered. Ogun’s Line in the Sand: Resistance to State Capture.”

While acknowledging that political parties have the right to determine their internal processes, he argued that consensus arrangements must be grounded in integrity to be legitimate.

According to him, without that foundation, such decisions amount to coercion.

“What is being presented as consensus is, in reality, a crude instrument of control,” he said, adding that the development represents a critical test of the political will of Ogun residents.

Showunmi, who is the Convener of the Alternative, insisted that political convenience or party loyalty should not override the principles of freedom and accountability.

His statement reads “There is something deeply troubling and frankly astonishing about how supposedly independent-minded people in Ogun State have become so thoroughly captured.

“Yes, a political party has the right to choose its internal mechanisms, even if that means adopting “consensus” as its preferred pathway. But across every serious political system where consensus has credibility, it rests on one indispensable foundation: integrity. Without that, consensus degenerates into imposition.

“That is precisely the issue before us. Those now attempting to foist this arrangement on Ogun State bring with them no demonstrable record of integrity neither in private conduct, nor in public service, nor in any coherent understanding of the responsibilities of governance. In such circumstances, what is being presented as consensus is, in reality, a crude instrument of control.

“This is how state capture begins. And it must be resisted.

“We are therefore confronted with a defining test: not just of the arrogance of those seeking to impose their will, but of the resolve or complicity of a people once known for their independence.

“History offers us guidance. The decline of the Oyo Empire reminds us that no system, however entrenched, is beyond challenge. The legacy of the Egba United Government affirms that our people built institutions of governance strong enough to command respect even from external powers.

“And the Ijebus themselves demonstrated this fiercely guarded independence in the Anglo-Ijebu War the so-called Magbon War where they chose resistance over submission in the face of imperial pressure.

“That heritage imposes a duty.

“We cannot, in this generation especially within the framework of a democracy accept the status of a conquered people. No justification political convenience, party loyalty, or manufactured inevitability is sufficient to compel a free people to return to servitude.

“What is unfolding may be presented as process, but it is experienced as humiliation.”

Daily Trust reports that Monday, the APC adopted Yayi as consensus governorship candidate at the APC strategic caucus meeting held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta on Monday.

The meeting attracted all three former governors, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Also in attendance were APC gubernatorial aspirants, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, Gboyega Isiaka, Tunde Lemo and Isiak Akinlade.

The governor announced the resolution after the meeting which lasted for about two hours.

“It gives me great pleasure and on behalf of all of you to congratulate Senator Adeola as our consensus and unanimously selected an elected governorship candidate for the year 2027,” Abiodun declared. (Daily Trust)