Chief Mustapha Abdulhakeem Owolabi, the Akinfiwatolu of Egbaland, has called on residents to heed the warnings of lawyer Femi Falana regarding the risks of compromised party primaries. Speaking at the Penpushing Media annual lecture in Abeokuta, Owolabi noted that these primary processes are the bedrock of democratic legitimacy and must be handled with transparency.
As the state moves toward the 2027 governorship race, the Egba Agenda Forum Chairman expressed concern over the emergence of Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola as the All Progressives Congress’s preferred choice. Owolabi argued that this process bypassed qualified indigenous candidates and lacked the necessary level playing field required for a fair democratic contest.
While clarifying that his movement supports the ambition of Ogun West to produce a governor, Owolabi insisted that this transition must be rooted in credible, transparent party mechanisms rather than political imposition. He emphasized that the governorship of Ogun State requires a leader with an indisputable connection to the state.
The Egba leader urged traditional rulers, civil society, and professional groups to safeguard democratic values. He warned that ignoring the flaws in the candidate selection process would jeopardize the future of governance in the state, calling on stakeholders to prioritize the public interest over individual political schemes.
