The Baale of Olorunsogo, Ilara, in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, Chief Topa Olusegun Peter, has publicly denied purchasing nomination forms or declaring an intention to contest the Ogun State governorship position under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking during a press briefing on Saturday, October 17, 2026, the community leader and long-standing PDP member described newspaper reports listing him as a governorship aspirant as completely false, alleging a covert attempt by rival political chieftains to compromise his political standing and personal safety.
According to Chief Peter, the controversy began when local leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the APC Chairman in Imeko-Afon Local Government, Mr. Ramoni Adebolu, approached him in his hometown of Ilara with an undisclosed offer. He disclosed that the APC chieftains informed him that the offer was under the PDP without detailing its exact nature, prompting him to reject it immediately on the grounds that political offers could only come directly from his party.
The traditional leader expressed shock upon subsequently seeing media publications naming him as a PDP governorship candidate. He claimed that when he confronted Mr. Adebolu over the reports, he was urged to remain calm and promised financial benefits, a car, and a major political appointment following the emergence of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi).
Firmly rejecting these inducements, Chief Peter clarified that he never purchased a governorship nomination form, signed any intent documents, collected money, or authorized anyone to submit political paperwork on his behalf. He added that he immediately contacted PDP leaders to set the record straight and reaffirm his loyalty to the party, which he joined at its formation in 1998 and has never departed.
The Baale also raised serious concerns over a petition allegedly submitted in his name to political and electoral authorities. He denied any involvement in the document, stating that he has never met, spoken with, or retained lawyer Anderson Asemota of Neplus Ultra Attorneys, who was alleged to have drafted and filed the petition on his behalf.
Reaffirming his commitment to the official candidate of his party, Chief Peter noted that he supervised his ward during the May 24, 2026 primary election, where Hon. Ladi Adebutu emerged as the sole governorship candidate of the Ogun PDP.
Alarmed by the unauthorized use of his identity and potential security risks, Chief Peter urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard all documents submitted in his name, establish the facts surrounding the fraudulent filings, and prosecute those responsible. He further appealed to security agencies, government authorities, and the general public to intervene and guarantee the safety of his life and that of his family members.
Neither the APC leadership in Imeko-Afon nor representatives for Senator Solomon Adeola have issued an official response to the allegations as of press time.
