Oyo APC Governorship Aspirants Seek Tinubu’s Intervention Over Reps Primaries Crisis

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Five governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State on Monday called on President Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Working Committee to intervene in the controversy surrounding the House of Representatives primary elections conducted in the state.

The aspirants, who addressed journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre in Iyaganku, Ibadan, demanded free, fair and credible primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections. They warned that alleged imposition of candidates and manipulation of the electoral process could weaken the party’s chances in the state.

The group includes former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan, alongside Musbau Asanike, Akeem Agbaje, Ololade Bakare and Oyedele Alao.

Speaking on behalf of the aspirants, Alao alleged that the House of Representatives primaries held on Saturday, May 16, were characterised by intimidation, disenfranchisement of party members, arbitrary disqualification of aspirants and fabrication of results in some constituencies.

He claimed that in parts of Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa and Oyo zones, election results were announced despite voting not taking place.

Alao said the group rejected any direct primary process that undermined the will of party members, noting that flawed primaries had previously resulted in imposition, alienation and electoral losses for the APC in Oyo State.

According to him, the credibility of the process was as important as the outcome, stressing that any flawed process would lack democratic legitimacy.

The aspirants further alleged that loyal party members were sidelined in several constituencies through the imposition of candidates. They warned that continued disregard for internal democracy could deepen divisions within the party and threaten its performance in the 2027 elections.

While expressing support for a transparent consensus arrangement, the aspirants maintained that any consensus decision must emerge from broad consultations with party stakeholders and reflect the collective interest of members.

The group also reaffirmed its loyalty to Tinubu, stating that it would abide by any decision reached after consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state.

The aspirants urged the APC National Working Committee to review petitions arising from the House of Representatives primaries, particularly complaints bordering on alleged illegal disqualifications and fabricated results. They also appealed to the Oyo APC leadership to pursue reconciliation, justice and fairness to prevent further division within the party.

They warned that failure to address the issues raised could lead to avoidable electoral defeat for the APC in Oyo State in 2027.

The APC had earlier announced the candidates who emerged from the primary elections across the 14 federal constituencies in the state, with 74 aspirants cleared to participate in the exercise.

However, Chairman of the House of Representatives Primaries Elections Committee, Mojeed Alabi, defended the conduct of the primaries, describing the exercise as peaceful and orderly.

Alabi said the committee’s responsibility was to supervise the elections, collate results and forward its report to the party’s national leadership for final approval.

He added that the primaries were conducted simultaneously across wards within each federal constituency in line with the party’s guidelines and assured members that the committee remained committed to transparency and fairness.

 

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