BREAKING: Ogun PDP chieftain denies governorship ambition
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Topa Olusegun Peter, has denied being a governorship aspirant for the 2027 election, saying he neither purchased a nomination form nor authorised anyone to use his name in connection with the race.
Peter, the Baale of Olorunsogo, Ilara, in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, made the clarification while addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Saturday. He also alleged that the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the council, Ramoni Adebolu, and some other APC chieftains approached him with a political offer before his name appeared in newspaper publications as a PDP governorship aspirant.
According to Peter, the politicians offered him a position under the PDP but failed to explain its precise nature. He said he rejected the proposal, adding that he was subsequently surprised to see his name published as a prospective governorship candidate. He further alleged that when he contacted Adebolu for clarification, the APC chairman urged him to remain calm and promised him money, a car and a major political appointment after the emergence of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
“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,” Peter said. He also denied collecting money from Adebolu or any of the other individuals he mentioned, insisting that he had no involvement in the purported governorship ambition.
The PDP chieftain expressed further concern over a reported petition allegedly sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission by a lawyer, Anderson Asemota of Neplus Ultra Attorneys, demanding that the commission publish his client’s name as a governorship aspirant within 48 hours. Peter denied knowing or having any dealings with the lawyer, saying he had neither met nor spoken with Asemota and had not authorised him to act on his behalf.
He called on INEC to investigate the reported correspondence and establish how his name was allegedly used without his consent. Peter also urged the commission to disregard any document purportedly submitted by him or on his behalf until the circumstances surrounding the matter were clarified. He appealed to the relevant authorities to identify anyone found responsible and bring them to justice.
Beyond the alleged unauthorised use of his name, Peter raised concerns about the safety of himself and his family, asking security agencies and other relevant authorities to intervene. Although he did not disclose any specific threat against them, he said the circumstances had caused him serious concern. “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,” he said.
Peter reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, claiming that he had remained a member of the party since its formation in 1998 and had never defected to another political platform. He also said Hon. Ladi Adebutu emerged as the party’s sole candidate in the Ogun governorship primary held on May 24, 2026, an exercise he said he supervised in his ward. The controversy comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Peter calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged use of his identity and the reported petition to INEC.
