Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reaffirmed Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 general election.

The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi, on Sunday, following claims by former federal lawmaker Abayomi Hunye that he remained in the race for the party’s governorship ticket.

The APC described Hunye’s claim as false and urged its members, supporters and the public to disregard it.

According to the party, Adeola emerged from its governorship primary with 304,055 votes out of 305,287 accredited voters and subsequently picked Mrs Kudirat Adegunwa-Balogun as his running mate.

The party said the names of Adeola and Adegunwa-Balogun had been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its governorship candidate and running mate.

“The Ogun State APC therefore dissociates itself from any contrary claim or declaration by Abayomi Semako Hunye or any other individual purporting to be the party’s governorship candidate,” the statement said.

The development followed Hunye’s declaration at a press briefing in Abeokuta on Saturday that he had not withdrawn from the governorship race and was challenging in court the process that produced Adeola as the APC candidate.

Hunye also unveiled Otunba Abayomi Odunowo from Ijebu-Ode as his running mate and said he would continue his campaign in accordance with electoral laws.

Reacting separately, APC chieftain and former federal lawmaker, Kayode Oladele, described Hunye’s actions as an “exercise in futility”, arguing that the party had concluded its nomination process and forwarded Adeola’s name to INEC.

However, Hunye, through his media office, denied declaring himself the APC governorship candidate, maintaining that the matter remained before a court of competent jurisdiction.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Abayomi Hunye has never declared himself the APC Governorship Candidate.

“His position has consistently been clear: the matter remains before a court of competent jurisdiction, and the issues surrounding the emergence of the party’s governorship candidate are still subject to judicial determination,” the statement read.

The Ogun APC urged the public to rely on official communications from the party and relevant electoral authorities on the dispute.