​Blood vs. Party: Ogun APC Chief Disowns Son’s Defection to PDP

​ABEOKUTA — The All_Progressives Congress (APC) Senatorial Chairman for Ogun Central, Chief Sunday Sowunmi, has firmly declared that his allegiance to the ruling party remains ironclad, completely untouched by the sudden defection of his biological son to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

​The political shakeup follows the high-profile exit of his son, Hon. Olarenwaju Ebenezer Sowunmi (popularly known as LASEM), who until recently served as the Special Assistant on Agriculture to Governor Dapo Abiodun. In a swift political maneuver, the younger Sowunmi resigned his position and left the APC to pitch his tent with his cousin, Dr. Lateefat Oyeyemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, who was recently unveiled as the running mate to the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu, ahead of the 2027 polls.

​Addressing journalists during an emergency press conference at his private residence, a visibly resolute Chief Sowunmi completely distanced himself from his family members’ political trajectories, asserting that his decades-long commitment to the progressive fold cannot be compromised by familial ties.

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​’He is on His Own’

​Chief Sowunmi revealed that his ward chairman visited him early Tuesday morning to present his son’s formal withdrawal and APC registration documents. While acknowledging his son’s right to self-determination as an adult, the elder statesman emphasized that the move was done without his blessing or consent.

​”Yes, one of my biological sons made his own decision,” Chief Sowunmi stated. “As an adult, he has the right to make his own choices, and I cannot dictate to him. However, I want everyone to know that he does not have my support. I made it explicitly clear to him that if he chooses to join the PDP, he is completely on his own. I will never be with the PDP.”

​Secret Nominations and Family Silences

​The APC chieftain also pulled back the curtain on the internal family dynamics surrounding the PDP deputy governorship ticket, revealing that neither his niece nor his elder brother (the niece’s father) consulted him before accepting the nomination.

​According to him, Dr. Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo had even paid him a courtesy visit just two weeks prior following the festive season, yet she kept her political ambitions entirely under wraps.

​”She sat right here with me and never mentioned a single word about her endorsement or nomination by the PDP,” the Senatorial Chairman remarked, adding that his close relationship with his elder brother makes the silence all the more telling. “I can state categorically that I had absolutely nothing to do with it. If people assume otherwise simply because we share a surname, that is entirely their own narrative.”

​Unshaken Commitment to Abiodun’s Administration

​Reaffirming his unalloyed loyalty to the current administration, Chief Sowunmi maintained that he has never officially belonged to an opposition party since the PDP’s inception and sees no reason to start now, praising Governor Dapo Abiodun for his leadership and fair treatment.

​”At this stage of my political journey, considering my standing in the APC and the incredibly cordial relationship I enjoy with His Excellency, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun, I have no reason whatsoever to leave,” he concluded.

​APC Structure Rallies Behind Sowunmi

​In a swift reaction to the development, the APC Chairman for Abeokuta South Local Government, Hon. Henry Fagbenro, confirmed that the party structure was entirely blindsided by Hon. Ebenezer’s defection, noting that the former governor’s aide did not consult any local party organs before jumping ship.

​Fagbenro, however, strongly defended Chief Sowunmi’s integrity, urging party faithful not to judge the disciplined elder statesman by the independent actions of his adult son.

​”He took the decision completely on his own,” Fagbenro said. “His father is a deeply respected, disciplined, and consistent politician. It is unfortunate that the younger Sowunmi chose to join the PDP, but in Abeokuta South, our structures remain fiercely united behind the APC and our leadership.”