A local chieftain of Nigeria’s main opposition party has accused political rivals of fraudulently entering his name into the state’s governorship race without his consent, alleging a plot to compromise his political standing.
Topa Olusegun Peter, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and traditional ruler in Ogun state, told journalists on Saturday that his name was falsely listed in newspaper publications as a contender for the PDP governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Peter claimed the unauthorized bid emerged after a secret meeting with officials from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who he alleged later offered him money, a vehicle, and a future political position to maintain silence over the fraudulent registration.
He alleged that the development followed a meeting with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Imeko-Afon Local Government, Mr Ramoni Adebolu, and some other APC chieftains, who allegedly approached him with an undisclosed political offer.
According to him, the meeting was held in his hometown of Ilara, where he was informed that the offer concerned a position under the PDP, but its exact nature was not disclosed.
“I was shocked and deeply surprised to discover that my name had appeared in newspaper publications as a governorship aspirant under the PDP, an aspiration I know absolutely nothing about.
“But I told them there and then that I was not interested because such could only come from my party, the PDP.
“To my greatest surprise, the next thing I saw was a newspaper publication listing me as a governorship aspirant under the PDP,” Peter stated.
The PDP chieftain further alleged that when he contacted Adebolu after seeing the publications, the APC chairman urged him to remain calm and allegedly promised him financial benefits and a car.
He also claimed that Adebolu told him he would be offered a major political position after the emergence of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.
Peter, however, insisted that he neither purchased a governorship nomination form nor signed any document indicating his intention to contest the election.
“I never purchased a governorship nomination form, signed any document expressing an intention to contest the governorship election, or authorised anyone to act on my behalf in this regard,” he declared.
He also denied collecting money from the individuals he mentioned, adding that he had contacted his PDP leaders to explain the circumstances surrounding the publications and dissociate himself from the purported aspiration.
The Baale expressed further concern over a petition allegedly written in his name, saying he had neither met nor spoken with the lawyer, Anderson Asemota of Neplus Ultra Attorneys, who was reportedly responsible for preparing the document.
He called for a thorough investigation into the alleged unauthorised use of his name and the submission of documents purportedly on his behalf.
Peter also appealed to Nigerians, relevant authorities and security agencies to ensure his safety and that of his family, expressing concern over the circumstances surrounding the development.
Reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP, he said he had remained a member of the party since 1998 and had never defected to another political platform.
He further maintained that Hon. Ladi Adebutu emerged as the PDP’s sole governorship candidate at the party’s primary election held on May 24, 2026, an exercise he said he supervised in his ward.
Peter urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard any document purportedly submitted by him or on his behalf until the circumstances surrounding its submission were established.
He called on seccurity agencies to identify and prosecute those behind the alleged identity fraud.
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