By Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo
The political atmosphere in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State took a decisive turn on Wednesday as stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Imeko-Afon State Constituency unanimously endorsed Engr. Jamiu Oduayo Ogundele, popularly known as JAMSALOD, as their preferred candidate for the 2027 Ogun State House of Assembly election.
The endorsement was contained in a communique issued at the end of a high-level APC stakeholders’ meeting held at the residence of Dr. Dele Ogunsiji on May 6, 2026. The meeting, which brought together party leaders and stakeholders from the three zones of Imeko-Afon State Constituency, focused on the future of political representation in the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the communique addressed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the stakeholders praised the Ogun State Governor for what they described as his “maturity, wisdom and leadership” in handling the political processes that produced Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi as the APC consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
According to the stakeholders, Governor Abiodun demonstrated exceptional leadership by ensuring fairness, inclusiveness and consultations among party leaders and aspirants, thereby preserving unity within the party.
They further commended the governor for supporting the agitation of Ogun West Senatorial District, particularly the Yewa-Awori people, to produce the next governor of Ogun State for the first time in the history of the state.
The meeting also reviewed the growing agitation among youths in the constituency over what was described as years of political neglect and exclusion from leadership opportunities. The stakeholders resolved that the time had come for a generational shift in the political leadership of the constituency.
They stressed that the zoning arrangement that had existed since the creation of the local government must now accommodate younger voices, adding that the continued attempt by older politicians to retain power for multiple terms runs contrary to the aspirations of the youth..
The communique stated that the stakeholders settled for Engr. Jamiu Ogundele because of his loyalty to party leadership, respect for party structures and commitment to grassroots development.
They highlighted Ogundele’s contributions to community development through personal initiatives and projects aimed at improving education, healthcare, youth empowerment and infrastructure despite not holding public office.
The stakeholders described him as a capable young leader whose emergence symbolizes a deliberate move toward youth inclusion and generational renewal in governance.
“Engr. Jamiu Ogundele has demonstrated commitment to carrying along all wards, age groups and ethnic segments of our constituency without bias or exclusion,” the communique stated.
The APC leaders also noted that Ogundele’s political vision aligns with the developmental agenda of Governor Abiodun, especially in areas such as agriculture, security and grassroots economic empowerment.
In a strong political statement, the stakeholders declared that the continued candidacy of the current occupant of the Imeko-Afon State Constituency seat had become “untenable,” insisting that democracy thrives when leadership is renewed and no individual is made to appear indispensable.
They maintained that adopting Ogundele would promote peace, stability and unity within the APC in Imeko-Afon while ensuring more effective representation for the people at the state level.
The stakeholders appealed to Governor Abiodun, as leader of the APC in Ogun State, to support and bless their consensus decision in order to avoid any form of political imposition capable of threatening party cohesion and electoral success in the constituency.
They also pledged their loyalty to the APC and vowed to mobilize voters across the constituency to ensure victory for the party and Engr. Jamiu Ogundele in the 2027 elections.
Copies of the communique were sent to Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi, the Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo; and the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi.
While speaking with AMEBO NEWSPAPER NG, Dr. Dele Ogunsiji, a two term member of House of Representative and commissioner in Ogun state speaking on behalf of other APC leaders appealed to Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun CON to consider their plea to consider a competent youth, Hon Jamiu Ogundele to contest for house of assembly, noting that his records are there to prove his leadership qualities.
"We are considering Jamiu Ogundele as our consensus candidate in Imeko-Afon state constituency because of his leadership skills, I made bold to you that Hon Jemil Akingbade has not visited we the leaders of All Progressives Congress APC in Imeko-Afon to declare his intention, maybe because of his bad records of performance, we appeal to Senator Adeola Olamilekan Solomon YAYI to come to our aid as we supported him to become the Governorship flagbearer of All Progressives Congress APC. " Said Hon Dele Ogunsiji
