Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, has secured the All Progressives Congress ticket for a second term ahead of the 2027 general elections. He defeated former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Olugbenga Obadara, and other aspirants in a direct primary conducted through the Option A4 system.
Peaceful Primary Election
The primary election, held peacefully on Monday across the six local government areas in the district, saw party members openly queue behind photographs of their preferred aspirants. The exercise recorded a large turnout and ended without violence.
Results Announcement
Results announced by the presiding officer, Hon. Obafemi Onakoya, at Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta, showed Salisu polling 85,804 votes to emerge as the party's flag bearer. Amosun secured 146 votes, while Obadara polled 439 votes. Hon. Adebola Sofela received 49 votes, Hon. Muraino Banjoko got 83 votes, and Dr. Emmanuel Soyoola scored zero. Sofela, Banjoko, and Soyoola had earlier stepped down before the exercise.
Option A4 Voting Method
The Option A4 voting method allowed accredited party members to physically queue behind their preferred candidates in public view, a process party stakeholders described as a boost for internal democracy. In Odeda Local Government Area, Salisu swept Itesi Ward 2, the home ward of Obadara, polling 658 votes against Obadara's 11. In Ewekoro LGA, Salisu recorded landslide victories with 715 votes at Arigbajo Ward 3, 701 votes at Itori Ward 4, and 753 votes at Obada Ward 10. At Oke-Aro/Ibaragun Ward 7 in Ifo Local Government Area, Salisu polled 1,872 votes against Obadara's six votes.
Voting Process
Salisu cast his vote at Ward 10, Opeji, in Odeda LGA alongside party faithful. A ward leader in Ifo, Alhaji Ganiyu Oladipupo, described the exercise as the most transparent primary he had witnessed. “The process was smooth. There was no intimidation, no vote-buying — just pure democratic expression. We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun for allowing internal democracy to thrive,” he said.
In Abeokuta South, former councillor Mrs. Funmilayo Adeoti said the orderly conduct of the exercise restored her confidence in the party. “I voted at Ward 5. Everything was orderly. Senator Salisu is our choice. No violence, no shouting — just progressives doing the right thing,” she said.
Party Leaders Present
Party leaders present at the exercise included Executive Chairman of Obafemi Owode, Hon. Amb. Ogunsola Adesina Lanre, Rt. Hon. Tunji Egbetokun, Odeda Local Government Chairman, Dr. Folasade Adeyemo, and the Ifo Local Government Chairman. The Director-General of Salisu's campaign council, Engr. Babatunde Adesina, also voted in Obafemi-Owode.
Salisu's Reaction
Speaking after casting his vote, Salisu thanked President Tinubu, Governor Abiodun, party leaders, electoral officials, security agencies, and party members for the peaceful conduct of the primary. “Today, I stood with my fellow progressives. You queued under the sun, casting your votes with hope. I am humbled by the trust you place in me. No rancour, no chaos — just committed progressives standing for what is right,” he said.
Political observers say the peaceful conduct of the Option A4 direct primary reflects the APC's determination to strengthen internal democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
