Former governors, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, were conspicuously absent on Thursday as Governor Dapo Abiodun inaugurated the All Progressives Congress, APC, State Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections in Abeokuta.
Despite their absence, Abiodun declared campaign activities open across the 20 local government areas, 236 wards and polling units in the state.
He charged the newly inaugurated council to immediately commence grassroots consultations, public engagement and strategic voter mobilisation.
Speaking at the venue held in Abeokuta, Abiodun, who is the Chairman of the Council, said electoral victories require deliberate and scientific planning rather than mere political reputation or crowd size.
He directed members to secure support for all APC candidates, including President Bola Tinubu, governorship candidate, Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, his running mate, Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun, and all legislative contenders.
The governor warned against factionalism and internal sabotage, noting that appointments into the council were instruments of service and responsibility and not decorative titles.
He tasked the campaign machinery with communicating the administration’s flagship projects, including the Gateway International Airport and investments in infrastructure, agriculture and healthcare.
Abiodun stressed the need for civil and issue-based campaigning, saying political victory loses its worth if achieved through violence or intimidation.
Former governor and APC leader in the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, appealed to aggrieved party members to sheathe their swords and present a united front to ensure total victory at the polls.
Speaking after the inauguration, the governorship candidate, Senator Adeola, said the election should be seen as a collective duty and assured those not named to the council that they remain integral to the party’s ward-level mobilisation.
He said campaign operations would get underway under the leadership of the Director-General, Senator Lekan Mustapha.