Former member of the House of Representatives, Ade Adeogun, has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding the 2026 National and State Assembly primaries of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, urging aggrieved aspirants and their supporters to accept the outcome of the exercise and respect the final decision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a lengthy article titled “Que Sera Sera,” the former federal lawmaker reflected on his political journey, admitted that the APC’s internal processes are often influenced by political realities beyond competence and popularity, and argued that those complaining today were well aware of how the party’s nomination process operates.
Adeogun disclosed that his understanding of partisan politics was shaped in 2018 during a visit to former House of Representatives member, Patrick Obahiagbon, popularly known as Igodomigodo, shortly before the APC National Assembly primaries.
According to him, he had complained to Obahiagbon about what he considered manipulation within the party, only to be told that such realities were part of partisan politics.
"Hon. Obahiagbon welcomed me to partisan politics and told me not to complain, noting that APC provides level playing field for all members and that manipulation is a big part of that playing field."
He said the advice reminded him of an earlier counsel from Chief (HRM) Sergeant Awuse, who maintained a philosophy of “win first and let others complain.”
Although he said he never embraced those views as ideals, Adeogun explained that the lessons taught him never to become emotionally attached to party nominations because internal party contests are rarely perfect.
He noted that while he successfully navigated the hurdles to emerge victorious in 2019, he was unsuccessful in 2023 after, according to him, “the goalpost was moved away from my field of play.”
Speaking on his latest senatorial ambition, Adeogun revealed that he began preparations for the Ondo North Senatorial race barely one year into the tenure of the incumbent senator after becoming dissatisfied with what he described as the senator’s “lethargic display.”
He said he consulted widely with party leaders across Ondo North, Ondo State and Abuja, receiving assurances that his aspiration was legitimate and well received.
According to him, his assessment of the political landscape showed that he stood a strong chance of securing the ticket if competence, previous performance and popularity were the determining factors.
Nevertheless, he admitted that party primaries involve several variables beyond merit.
When he noticed what he described as attempts by “Alagbaka” to undermine his ambition, he relocated to Abuja to intensify consultations with influential stakeholders while simultaneously expanding his grassroots campaign across the senatorial district.
Unlike some of the aspirants now expressing anger, Adeogun said he invested enormous time, energy and financial resources before, during and after the primaries.
Despite eventually losing the ticket, he insisted he harboured no bitterness.
"Despite my hard work and handsome investment, the final outcome did not favor me but I have not lost sleep."
He added that his family organised thanksgiving prayers after the exercise, expressing gratitude to God for preserving the lives of him and his supporters throughout the campaign.
The former lawmaker stated that his supporters were equally satisfied because his reputation for public service and integrity received widespread commendation during the contest.
Adeogun, however, launched a blistering attack on the conduct of the APC primaries in Ondo State, dismissing claims that genuine direct primaries took place anywhere in the state.
"Anyone who claims that free and fair direct primaries were held anywhere in Ondo State in the 2026 National and State House of Assembly primaries is a fraud, an 'olosa' and a 'gbewiri'."
He alleged that results were predetermined, insisting that party members were neither properly accredited nor their votes genuinely counted in the wards.
According to him, result sheets were allegedly kept at Alagbaka while videos circulated as evidence of voting were merely staged to give legitimacy to what he described as a predetermined exercise.
"We all know that result sheets for the direct primaries were safely kept in Alagbaka and that party members were not counted nor votes recorded in all wards."
He further argued that the process was no different from the APC governorship primary conducted in 2024.
"I know the sequence of play from the referee's whistle to touchdown."
Adeogun criticised aspirants who are now protesting the outcome, accusing many of them of hypocrisy because they previously benefited from the same political arrangements they now condemn.
According to him, some aspirants accepted earlier consensus arrangements imposed by influential forces within the party but became vocal only after the political calculations no longer favoured them.
"That you stole something and it was stolen from your custody? P-u-l-e-a-z-e! He who seeks equity must come with clean hands."
While sympathising with a handful of aspirants whom he believed could have genuinely won under a transparent process, Adeogun argued that they became victims of a zero-sum political system that rewards loyalty to powerful interests rather than broad-based support.
He equally blamed political actors for creating an atmosphere where individuals were elevated above institutions.
According to him, party members emboldened political leaders by remaining silent whenever internal democracy was undermined, especially when such practices benefited them.
He also criticised aspirants who emerged through what he called the “Alagbaka consensus” but failed to reconcile with other contestants after their emergence.
Turning to the intervention that eventually altered the outcome of the primaries, Adeogun maintained that the decision did not originate from the APC National Working Committee but reflected the authority of President Tinubu as the undisputed leader of the party.
"It was a big stick wielded by the bigger man, to cut 'us' to size."
He stressed that no political office holder or state leader could exercise greater authority than the national leader who delegated power to them.
"The man to whom authority is delegated cannot be bigger than the owner of that authority."
Calling for an end to the post-primary agitation, the former lawmaker urged all party members to accept the President’s verdict and concentrate on repositioning the APC ahead of future elections.
He warned that continued protests and public attacks would only deepen divisions within the party and weaken its electoral prospects.
"President Tinubu is the leader of our party, he has had the final say, let us respect that."
Adeogun concluded by describing the controversy surrounding the primaries as a painful but valuable lesson for the party, urging members to embrace reconciliation and unity rather than prolong internal disputes.
“What has happened has happened and what will happen in future will still happen,” he said, adding that the APC should use the experience of the “consensus fiasco” as a catalyst for rebuilding confidence within its ranks.
He ended his reflection with the words: “Que sera sera.”
