Don’t put Ogun on fire – IPAC warns politicians as Yayi visits secretariat

The Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Ogun State has warned political actors to avoid campaigns capable of causing crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The IPAC chairman in the state, who is also the chairman of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Comrade Abayomi Sanyaolu, gave the warning on Monday when Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, visited the council’s secretariat in Abeokuta.

Sanyaolu said IPAC, as an advisory body comprising 22 registered political parties, would not allow any politician to set the state on fire.

The IPAC chairman said he was disturbed by divisive rhetoric and urged candidates to focus on ideas rather than attacks.

“Don’t put Ogun State on fire. I will not open my eyes, under my regime as chairman of IPAC, to allow people to start war in Ogun State, chasing ourselves because we are from different parties,” he said.

He recalled seeing governorship candidates of different parties, including the APC and others, with the incumbent governor and a former governor at an event, hugging and laughing, while their supporters fight outside.

“I saw governorship candidates of different parties with the incumbent governor and former governor in one place, hugging each other and laughing. You expect us to be fighting each other outside. I will not support that,” he said.

He asserted that leadership is about service, not dominance, and urged anyone aspiring to govern the state to present himself as a servant.

“Every leader is a servant. Don’t be a governor and turn yourself to an emperor over us,” he said.

Responding, Senator Adeola said he joined  politics not to enrich himself but to serve the people, and urged politicians to tell the people what they intend to do rather than abuse opponents.

“If you want to be governor, stop abusing people, tell them what you want to do,” he said.

Adeola, who said he has about 23 years legislative experience spanning the Lagos State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate, insisted that performance has kept him in office.

He dismissed claims questioning his origin, saying his roots are in Ogun State and his records are verifiable.

“You can’t blackmail me, I refuse to bow down. It is mere politics and desperation for power,” he said.

He urged residents to question all governorship candidates on their plans and share ideas to make Ogun State better.