The Action Alliance (AA) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Comrade Sikiru Bayo Titilola-Sodo, has urged party members and supporters across the state’s 33 local government areas to remain calm following the omission of his name and those of some other party candidates from the final list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Titilola-Sodo, in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Monday, said the party had initiated steps to address the development and urged members not to allow it to disrupt their mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He said the party’s legal team had submitted a formal complaint to INEC, seeking the necessary corrections and resolution of the matter without further delay.
According to him, the party’s National Chairman and presidential candidate, Aare Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje, had also urged affected candidates and members nationwide not to panic over the omission.
Titilola-Sodo maintained that the Action Alliance had complied with all requirements and deadlines stipulated by the electoral body, expressing confidence that the issue would be resolved through the appropriate channels.
He also expressed appreciation to Egbe Ajosepo Fun Itesiwaju Gbogbo Wa, a non-partisan movement in Oke-Ogun led by Engr. Dauda Alade Olaifa, for adopting him as its preferred governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
“I deeply appreciate the movement’s continued support, solidarity and commitment. 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.
The AA candidate assured his supporters that the party’s national leadership would deploy available administrative and legal channels to protect the interests of its duly nominated candidates.
He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the rule of law, due process and credible elections, urging members to remain focused on their political activities while awaiting INEC’s response.
However, Titilola-Sodo took a swipe at those celebrating the omission, arguing that Oyo State’s political history and electorate demanded candidates with sound educational backgrounds, verifiable work experience and coherent manifestoes.
He said the state’s reputation as the Pacesetter State reflected the expectations of its people and insisted that voters would not lower their standards in choosing their next governor.
