The Action Alliance governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sikiru Bayo Titilola-Sodo, has urged party members and supporters to remain calm after the Independent National Electoral Commission omitted his name from its published list of candidates for the 2027 governorship election.
Titilola-Sodo made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday, asking supporters across the state’s 33 local government areas not to allow the development to disrupt their mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the party had submitted a formal complaint to INEC through its legal team, seeking the correction of the omission.
The candidate maintained that the Action Alliance had complied with the electoral commission’s requirements and deadlines for submitting candidates, expressing confidence that the matter would be resolved through the appropriate administrative and legal channels.
According to him, the party’s National Chairman and presidential candidate, Aare Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje, had urged affected candidates and party members across the country not to panic over the development.
Titilola-Sodo said the national leadership remained committed to protecting the interests of its duly nominated candidates.
AA candidate thanks Oke-Ogun group
The governorship hopeful also expressed appreciation to Egbe Ajosepo Fun Itesiwaju Gbogbo Wa, a non-partisan movement in Oke-Ogun chaired by Engr. Dauda Alade Olaifa, for adopting him as its preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
He described the endorsement as an expression of confidence and thanked the group for its continued support and solidarity.
“As we await the outcome of the petition submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the omission of my name from the published list of governorship candidates, I remain hopeful that the matter will be resolved appropriately,” he said.
He assured supporters that the party’s national leadership would explore available administrative and legal options to protect the interests of its candidates.
Titilola-Sodo also reaffirmed the Action Alliance’s commitment to the rule of law, due process and credible elections.
Candidate criticises those celebrating omission
The AA candidate criticised individuals he accused of celebrating the omission of his name and those of other party candidates from INEC’s published list.
He argued that Oyo State voters would not lower their expectations of political leadership, invoking the state’s reputation as the Pacesetter State.
The omission comes amid wider concerns over discrepancies in INEC’s final candidates’ lists ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several parties and candidates reportedly seeking clarification or corrective action.
Titilola-Sodo urged supporters to remain peaceful and focused on their political activities while awaiting INEC’s response.
As of the time of publication, no resolution of the complaint had been confirmed.
