Ogun PDP Leader Denies Governorship Aspirant Claims

A leader of the Peoples Democratic Party and head of Olorunsogo community in Ilara, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, Ogun State, Topa Peter, has rejected claims that he is a governorship candidate for the PDP. He said his name was used without his permission.

A lawyer named Anderson Asemota from Neplus Ultra Attorneys reportedly told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to explain why Peter’s name was missing from the final list of candidates for the February 6, 2027 election. Asemota said Peter is his client.

Asemota also asked for Peter’s name to be published as the party’s official candidate. He warned that he would take legal action if INEC did not respond.

This demand came in a letter dated October 14, 2026, sent to the chairman of INEC. This was after INEC released the final list of governorship candidates on October 10, which did not include Oladipupo Adebutu, the PDP candidate in Ogun State.

Peter expressed his shock at seeing reports that named him as a governorship aspirant. He stated that he never planned to run for the election.

He claimed that this situation arose after a meeting with the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman in Imeko-Afon, Ramoni Adebolu, and other APC members. They approached him with a political offer that was not clearly defined.

Peter said, “I was shocked and deeply surprised to discover that my name had appeared in newspaper publications as a governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), an aspiration I know absolutely nothing about.

“The events leading to this development began when the APC Chairman in Imeko-Afon Local Government, Mr Ramoni Adebolu, alongside some other APC chieftains, contacted me to say they had a position they wanted to offer me.

“We met in my hometown, Ilara, and they informed me that the position was under the PDP but did not explain its exact nature. But I told them there and then that I was not interested because such could only come from my party, the PDP.

“To my greatest surprise, the next thing I saw was a newspaper publication listing me as a governorship aspirant under the PDP. Upon discovering the publications mentioning my name, I immediately contacted Mr Ramoni Adebolu, and he told me to be calm.”

Peter also reached out to PDP leaders to clarify that he had no involvement in the supposed governorship bid.

He added, “I wish to emphasise here, again, that I never purchased a governorship nomination form, signed any document expressing an intention to contest the governorship election, or authorised anyone to act on my behalf in this regard.

“I have been a loyal member of the PDP since 1998, the year the party was formed, and I have never defected to another political party. My commitment to the party has remained consistent throughout the years.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I did not collect any money from the individuals mentioned in this statement. I am also deeply concerned by reports that a petition has been written in my name without my knowledge or authorisation.

“I have never spoken with or met the lawyer, Anderson Asemota of Neplus Ultra Attorneys, alleged to have written the petition on my behalf. I therefore call for a thorough investigation into how my name came to be used in this manner and how documents were submitted in my name without my knowledge.

“I am appealing to Nigerians, relevant authorities, security agencies, and all well-meaning individuals to come to my aid and help ensure the safety of my life and every member of my family.”

When asked for his reaction, the publicity secretary of the ruling party in the state, Femi Nuberu, said he could only represent the party, not any individual.

Nuberu stated, “My office speaks for the party and on the decision of the party. Allegations against members of the party should be directed to the individuals concerned.

“The named person in the conference should be reached for a response. As a party, we are preoccupied with the mobilisation for ITESIWAJU mantras.”

Adebolu responded in a phone call, denying any knowledge of the publication that identified Peter as the PDP governorship candidate for Ogun State.

He explained, “As the Chairman of APC in Imeko Afon Local Government, I actually held a meeting with Mr Peter and others with a view to convincing them to join the ruling party.

“I have known Mr Peter since our days in PDP during the government of former Gov Gbenga Daniel, so I reached out to him and others to join our party, so that we shall duly accommodate them and ensure that they are also recognised in the scheme of things in the party.

“This I did to further strengthen my party in the local government but there was never a time I discussed anything else with Mr Peter aside asking him to dump his party and join our party.

“I don’t know anything about his appearance in the newspaper; I know nothing about the publication, and I don’t have any other discussion with him other than asking him to join the APC.”