Oyo AA governorship aspirant Olaniyi Ajekiigbe denies stepping down or conceding the 2027 ticket to Titilola Sodo amid a legal dispute
Action Alliance governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Olaniyi Ajekiigbe, popularly known as OLA, has denied reports that he has withdrawn from the 2027 governorship race or conceded the party’s ticket to Titilola Sodo.
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Ajekiigbe, through his Head of Publicity Office, Oluseyi Akinwale, said on Monday that he remained committed to his position amid an ongoing legal dispute over the party’s governorship primary.
The statement, issued in Ibadan, acknowledged efforts to promote reconciliation and unity within the party but cautioned against presenting the dispute as resolved while it remains before the court.
“The judgment must not be written before the judge delivers it. We are cautioning party members and stakeholders against treating the matter as settled while it remains before a competent court,” the statement said.
The dispute centres on the Action Alliance governorship primary held on May 26, 2026, at the party’s secretariat on Old-Ife Road, Ibadan.
Ajekiigbe’s camp maintains that he won the primary and says the exercise was monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission and other electoral stakeholders.
The camp also said documentary evidence, including an electoral report, was available to support its position.
It further argued that the publication of a candidate’s name by INEC did not automatically resolve the underlying legal dispute concerning the party’s recognised national leadership or the process through which its governorship candidate emerged.
“Ajekiigbe has not accepted the candidacy of Titilola Sodo, withdrawn from the contest or surrendered the mandate he believes he secured at the primary. His position remains that the dispute should be resolved in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
The Ajekiigbe camp also appealed to INEC to remain impartial and comply with any applicable court orders concerning the party’s leadership and candidate nominations.
It specifically referred to court orders it said recognised Kenneth Udeze as the party’s National Chairman and James Veniembe as National Secretary.
The camp urged the electoral commission to give effect to such orders, including uploading the relevant party candidates on its platform.
It maintained that resolving the leadership dispute was necessary to establish the party’s position ahead of the 2027 election.
The aspirant’s camp also called on Action Alliance members, supporters and residents of Oyo State to remain calm and law-abiding while the judicial process continues.
“Peace and unity can endure only when the rights of all parties are respected and justice is allowed to take its course,” the statement concluded.
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The development leaves the Action Alliance’s Oyo governorship ticket subject to the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings, with Ajekiigbe insisting that he has not withdrawn from the contest or conceded to Sodo.
