Ogun State governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abayomi Semako Hunye, has challenged the party to explain how he could have been suspended on April 7, 2026, yet subsequently allowed to participate in its governorship nomination process.
Hunye’s reaction followed a media report quoting APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, as disowning him over his recent unveiling of Otunba Abayomi Odunowo as his preferred running mate for the 2027 election.
Bashiru was quoted as describing Hunye’s action as “false, unauthorized and mischievous”, while insisting that he had no authority to speak or act on behalf of the party.
The report further stated that Hunye had been suspended from the APC on April 7 following a petition allegedly originating from his Tube Ward in Ipokia Local Government Area.
Hunye, however, said the party’s subsequent actions contradicted the alleged suspension.
He pointed out that he purchased the APC governorship nomination form on April 28, 2026, three weeks after the purported suspension.
He was also screened and cleared on May 11 before participating in the governorship primary on May 21.
“If I was truly suspended on April 7, 2026, how was I subsequently allowed to purchase the APC governorship nomination form on April 28?” he queried.
“How was I screened and cleared by the party on May 11, and how was I allowed to participate in the governorship primary election on May 21?
“All these events took place after the alleged date of my suspension. The APC needs to explain this contradiction.”
Hunye questioned whether the party could now rely on the alleged suspension after its subsequent actions appeared to recognise him as an eligible aspirant.
He also asked the APC to explain why it permitted him to obtain the nomination form, undergo screening, receive clearance and participate in the primary.
“Is the APC in disarray? Is the party unable to maintain a consistent position on its own members and internal processes?” he asked.
“Or is the party being unjust by relying on a purported suspension while its own subsequent actions treated me as eligible to purchase the form, undergo screening, receive clearance and participate in its governorship primary?”
The development comes amid Hunye’s legal challenge to the outcome of the APC governorship primary.
He recently dismissed reports that he had withdrawn from the 2027 race or reached an agreement with his opponents, insisting that he remained in the contest and was pursuing his case in court.
Hunye said he resumed political activities to prevent his legal challenge from being undermined by claims that he failed to participate in subsequent stages of the electoral process.
“I don’t want us to get to court at the end of the day and hear someone say, ‘Yes, he is qualified. Yes, he met all the criteria. But there was no evidence that he participated in the campaign,’” he said.
“We must ensure that we are not shortchanged in any way. We must participate in every stage of the process while we pursue justice in court.”
He therefore demanded clarification from the APC on the circumstances surrounding the alleged April 7 suspension.
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