Four aspirants for the Ogun Central Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday, rejected the endorsement of the current Senator representing the district, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, as the consensus candidate ahead of the next election in Ogun State.

Governor Dapo Abiodun on Thursday had announced Senator Salisu as the consensus candidate at a stakeholders’ meeting of the Ogun Central APC in Abeokuta.

The Ogun Central Stakeholders’ Meeting, held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, the state capital, had in attendance the party chairman, Mr Yemi Sanusi; Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola Yayi; Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide; Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tokunbo Talabi; party leaders, loyalists, stakeholders, among others.

Before announcing the endorsement, the governor appealed to stakeholders on behalf of Senator Salisu, stating that “nobody is perfect,” stressing that every individual has strengths and weaknesses.

In their loud rejection, several stakeholders and party members at the meeting expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as an attempt to impose Senator Salisu as the consensus candidate in Ogun Central.

Abiodun also begged party members and stakeholders to forgive perceived shortcomings and rally behind the senator in the interest of party unity.

The governor thereafter announced Senator Salisu as the consensus candidate for Ogun Central Senatorial District.

Despite Governor Abiodun’s appeal, the crowd openly resisted the move, insisting that the people of the district should be allowed to decide who emerges as their preferred candidate.

The aggrieved stakeholders, before leaving the gathering in anger, insisted that Ogun Central deserves an open and transparent process capable of accommodating all qualified aspirants within the party.

Speaking shortly after the meeting, four aspirants; Senator Lanre Tejuoso, Senator Olugbenga Obadara, the immediate past Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Emmanuel Sofela, and business mogul, Otunba Muriana Banjoko, jointly rejected the endorsement of Senator Salisu.

Tejuoso, who represented Ogun Central between 2015 and 2019, described the endorsement as unacceptable.

He insisted that Ogun APC members should be allowed to decide their candidate in the next election.

On his part, Obadara, who represented Ogun Central between 2011 and 2015, described the endorsement as immoral.

He said, “It’s not in any way supported by us. It’s against morality and against our discussion at the last meeting.

“We are totally rejecting the decision to endorse Senator Salisu. That’s the decision of the four of us.”

Also speaking, Sofela said: “We are practising democracy. As aspirants, we are expressing our desire to serve our people. If the people who are currently being served in the constituency, the preponderance of them, are saying no, what more evidence do you want?

“If four people who are aspirants and the preponderance of the people of Ogun Central are saying we don’t want somebody who’s representing us to go back and represent us, what more evidence is needed?”

Also responding, Otunba Muraina Banjoko  said: “I align with the position of the three other aspirants. I was in a meeting yesterday night around 1:30 to 2 o’clock, and the meeting was inconclusive.

“Our people wondered why they went ahead to endorse someone today and raise his hand up.”

As the ruling All Progressives Congress looks to commence its twice-postponed primaries on Saturday, all eyes are on how the party will resolve the multiple impasse surrounding its consensus arrangement

Renowned author, cultural advocate, humanitarian, and public intellectual, Chief Abiodun Oladimeji Lasile, has been honoured with the distinguished title of International Drug-Free/WADA Ambassador at a ceremony held on Thursday at Commerce House, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Chief Lasile, who holds the revered traditional title of Orunto Baalufe of Owu Kingdom, Abeokuta, is widely respected for his contributions to literature, youth development, cultural preservation, and humanitarian advocacy across Nigeria and beyond.

He is the Founder and Coordinator of The SixthSense Initiative and Sixth Sense Series Publications, organisations committed to literacy promotion, intellectual development, social advocacy, and nation-building through education and cultural consciousness.

He also serves as the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors and is a Founding Member of the Abeokuta Polo Club.

The conferment of the International Drug-Free/WADA Ambassador recognition is a testament to Chief Lasile’s unwavering commitment to moral advocacy, youth enlightenment, healthy living, and the promotion of a drug-free society.

The honour further reflects his longstanding dedication to community development, ethical leadership, and constructive engagement with young people through literature, mentorship, and public discourse.

Speaking on the recognition, Chief Lasile expressed profound appreciation to the organisers and reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for a society where discipline, education, moral consciousness, and purposeful living remain central values.

“This honour is not merely a title, but a responsibility to continue speaking against substance abuse, social decadence, and moral decline while promoting enlightenment, culture, and positive living among the younger generation,” he stated.

The event attracted dignitaries, literary figures, community leaders, youth advocates, and stakeholders from different sectors who gathered to celebrate a man whose voice and service continue to inspire social transformation and cultural pride.

Counsel to Dr. Samuel Obinna Ojogbo, a lecturer at University of Lagos accused of raping a 20-year-old student, Finyinfoluwa Owonifari, Bidemi Ademola-Bello (SAN), has accused the alleged victim of falsely implicating his client.

Ademola-Bello made the allegation during the cross-examination of the complainant at the Lagos State High Court on Monday.

During the proceedings, the defence counsel argued that inconsistencies in the witness’s testimony suggested that the allegations were fabricated to tarnish his client’s reputation.

The counsel also questioned why the complainant allegedly destroyed a key piece of evidence in the case, adding that some of her responses contradicted her earlier statements.

When asked to identify a photograph of the alleged crime scene, the witness said she could not recognise it, although she claimed the office had no window.

The senior advocate further questioned her about statements she made at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, which she confirmed making on September 2, 2025. She also acknowledged making two separate statements at the Bariga Police Station on August 28, 2025.

The statements were tendered before the court and admitted as exhibits without objection from the prosecution.

The defence also questioned the complainant about the clothes she wore on the day of the alleged incident, asking whether she had earlier told the police she wore black trousers and a short-sleeved multicoloured shirt on August 28.

She explained that when she visited the medical centre on August 22, 2025, the doctor only conducted a swab test and prescribed medication without carrying out further examinations.

The witness stated that she reported the incident to Dr. Abu, who subsequently contacted her uncle, adding that she reached out to him because he was a lecturer in her department.

When asked whether she had any personal relationship with Dr. Abu, she replied in the negative.

Meanwhile, she had previous phone conversations with Dr Abu earlier on that day as revealed by the call log she provided to the police despite testifying that she had only called Dr Abu for the first time when she reported the incident.

When asked how she got Dr Abu’s phone number, she said that the number was provided in class to everyone

Justice Ogala subsequently adjourned the matter until May 25 for further proceedings.