A misleading online publication alleging that former Minister and Governance Advisory Council (GAC) member, Adeseye Ogunlewe, has endorsed Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye for a second term in the Lagos State House of Assembly has been firmly refuted, with clarification that no such endorsement was ever made.
The clarification follows a circulating report claiming that Ogunlewe had thrown his weight behind Ogunleye’s re-election bid for Ikorodu Constituency I. However, sources close to the matter and a formal statement attributed to the political leader confirmed that the visit in question was strictly a courtesy call and consultation, not an endorsement as alleged.
According to the statement, Senator Ogunlewe stressed that he does not possess the authority, as an individual or political leader, to impose or officially endorse any aspirant from Ikorodu Constituency I. He noted that within the party structure and democratic practice, candidate emergence is determined either through stakeholder consensus or direct party primaries, not unilateral declarations.
He further cautioned against attempts to misrepresent his name for political gain, describing such actions as deceptive and capable of misleading party members and the public. He also reaffirmed that no endorsement was granted to Hon. Gbolahan Ogunleye for a second term, urging those spreading the claim to desist immediately.
The statement emphasized that effective representation should be judged on performance rather than “manufactured endorsements or sponsored narratives,” adding that credible leadership naturally earns grassroots support without artificial influence.
Reiterating his position, Ogunlewe advised all aspirants to return to the grassroots, engage party members across wards, and allow the people to freely determine their preferred candidates through democratic processes. He maintained that no leader has the constitutional or party-backed authority to impose candidates on the electorate.
The statement concluded by urging party faithful and residents of Ikorodu Division to disregard the false publication entirely, describing it as a distortion of facts. It reaffirmed that the former minister’s position remains rooted in internal party democracy, transparency, and respect for the will of the people, adding that “a lie may travel fast, but the truth will always prevail.”
