A fresh twist has emerged in the governorship ticket contest of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ogun State, as the party’s Governorship Primaries Electoral Committee has declared Dr. Biodun Collins Ogundipe (BCO) the authentic winner of the party’s gubernatorial primary election, overturning an earlier announcement that named Jimi Lawal as the candidate.
The committee, which conducted and supervised the primary election over the weekend, maintained that the process was transparent and that Dr. Ogundipe secured the highest number of valid votes cast by accredited delegates, making him the rightful flag-bearer of the party for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
The development has intensified the internal crisis within the ADC, with party stakeholders demanding adherence to the committee’s official report and warning against attempts to impose a candidate contrary to the outcome of the primary.
According to sources within the party, the electoral panel rejected the declaration of Jimi Lawal as the winner, describing it as inconsistent with the records and results obtained from the exercise. The committee insisted that only the outcome it certified should be recognized by the party leadership and relevant electoral authorities.
Lawal, a former Managing Director of the now-defunct Alpha Merchant Bank, has remained a controversial figure in political circles. He has been linked to ongoing legal proceedings instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged money laundering and financial misconduct connected to his role in the administration of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufa’i.
The former banker is also reported to have faced legal challenges in the United States in the past, issues that critics within the ADC say raise concerns about his suitability to represent the party in a highly competitive governorship race.
Reacting to the controversy, supporters of Dr. Ogundipe welcomed the committee’s decision, describing it as a victory for internal democracy and the rule of law within the party. They urged the national leadership of the ADC to respect the verdict of the electoral panel and avoid actions that could trigger further divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The committee that conducted the election has spoken clearly. The delegates voted, the votes were counted, and Dr. Biodun Collins Ogundipe emerged victorious. Anything contrary to that is an attempt to undermine democracy within the party,” a member of the BCO campaign organization said.
Party faithful and observers are now awaiting the position of the ADC national leadership on the conflicting claims over the governorship ticket. Political analysts warn that prolonged disputes could weaken the party’s chances in Ogun State unless the matter is resolved swiftly and transparently.
