Niyi Mogaji, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Deputy Governorship Aspirant in Oyo State, has stated that the party’s ongoing internal dispute over its governorship ticket will not halt his camp’s campaign ahead of the 2027 election. Speaking during an interview with ARISE News on Friday, Mogaji emphasized that the conflict should be resolved through justice, fairness, and strict adherence to the outcome of the party’s primary exercises.
The ADC is currently divided in Oyo State, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s candidacy following separate primary processes and submitting different names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Mogaji, whose camp claims its primary was conducted on May 22 and publicly announced by the responsible committee, argued that the decision of party members must be respected. “The ground for reconciliation is justice. And it’s fairness. And it’s equity. You can’t come and want to produce your way into a room that is not yours,” he said.
Mogaji linked his camp’s position to existing court decisions that affirm the structure of a specific faction in Oyo State, asserting that any primary conducted in contravention of these judicial rulings cannot stand. He noted that while his camp is not opposed to the ADC or its leadership, they are seeking to protect the party’s internal democratic process. “We are not against ADC, for ADC and for Atikwa Mbaka,” he stated, adding that efforts to resolve the disagreement internally, including multiple meetings with party leader Arebe Solas, had failed to reach an agreement.
Despite the unresolved dispute, Mogaji disclosed that his camp has already commenced its campaign activities and will continue operating while awaiting a final resolution through the courts. He expressed confidence in his camp’s prospects, stating, “And we are sure of winning the election. Once we receive personal judgment. It doesn’t matter that it’s a crisis.”
Beyond the internal party dynamics, Mogaji outlined key policy priorities for Oyo State, focusing on job creation, agriculture, security, and infrastructure. He proposed the development of an industrial corridor to attract businesses and reduce unemployment, while also advocating for the end of what he described as indiscriminate house demolitions and greater functionality for local governments.
In the agricultural sector, the aspirant plans to establish a board to encourage farmers to process their produce into semi-finished goods before export, thereby boosting the state economy. On security, he identified “ungoverned spaces” as a major challenge and proposed the use of drones and other technology to monitor these areas and provide intelligence to security agencies.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
