Group condemns attacks on Ogun deputy gov, Salako-Oyedele

… reaffirms loyalty to state leadership

The Ogun West DA Likeminds has issued a statement condemning attacks on the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, and reaffirmed its loyalty to the state leadership.

In a statement signed by Hon. Fasinu Michael, on behalf of Ogun West DA Likeminds, the group said the responses to the deputy governor’s recent statement were ill-advised and misinformed, stressing that any attempt to undermine her position is an affront to Ogun West and its political structure.

Fasinu said the deputy governor’s message was constitutionally grounded and delivered with clarity, restraint, and respect for institutional protocol.

According to him, her statement simply drew clear boundaries within the state’s political structure without provocation or insult.

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The statement partly reads, “The Ogun West DA Likeminds has taken note of the ill-advised rejoinders issued in response to the measured and constitutionally grounded statement of the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele.

“We like to state without equivocation that we stand firmly with the Deputy Governor. Any attempt to disparage, undermine, or intimidate her position is an affront to Ogun West and an attack on all of us who believe in order, structure, and responsible politics.

“The Deputy Governor spoke with restraint, clarity, and institutional discipline. She neither insulted nor provoked the Senate leader. She simply drew a clear boundary, one that ought to be respected by all who claim fidelity to party order and democratic norms.”

The group emphasised that Ogun State is a sovereign entity with a defined leadership hierarchy, headed by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

It warned that external actors, including senators from outside the state, have no authority to direct or supervise internal political processes in Ogun West.

Fasinu added that the agitation for fairness and inclusion in Ogun West is indigenous and organic, and it requires resolution through established leadership channels within the state.

The group also called for respect for state autonomy and political maturity, urging external stakeholders to exercise restraint. Ogun West, they said, will determine its political course under local APC leadership, free from external interference.

“Ogun State is not a political free port. It is a sovereign sub-national entity with a clearly defined leadership structure.

“More importantly, the political leadership of Ogun State is vested in the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.

“That authority is neither negotiable nor transferable. All party members, stakeholders, and well-wishers are expected to align with that structure. There is no parallel command, and there will be no imported supervision.

“We therefore reject, in full, the dangerous attempt to normalise external commentary as “national stakeholder intervention” when it strays into prescription, projection, or political direction. Titles, offices, and federal standing do not confer supervisory authority over Ogun State’s internal political process.

“Let it be clearly understood that Ogun West is not under the tutelage of any Senator from outside this State.

“The long-standing agitation for fairness and inclusion in Ogun West is real. It is indigenous. It is organic. It does not require external validation, interpretation, or guardianship. Those who truly respect this cause must also respect the leadership channels through which it will be resolved.

“Equally troubling is the attempt to dilute the Deputy Governor’s message by reframing it as hostility or disrespect. That is disingenuous. Her statement was firm because the moment demanded firmness. It was dignified because her office requires dignity. It was final because boundaries, once drawn, should be clear.

“We also consider it inappropriate to lecture Ogun West on consensus while subtly advancing preferences from outside the state. Consensus cannot be preached with one hand and undermined with the other. Ogun West stakeholders are discerning enough to recognise contradiction when they see it.

“To be clear, the politics of Ogun West will be decided in Ogun West, within Ogun State, and under Ogun APC leadership.

“We advise all external actors, regardless of status, to exercise restraint and show respect for state autonomy. Ogun State is peaceful, organised, and politically mature. It does not require remote control politics.

“The Ogun West DA Likeminds remains committed to party unity, internal discipline, and a fair process guided by recognised leadership. We will defend these principles without apology,” the statement added.