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From Oluseye Ojo and Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Cracks in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State appears to have widened deeper as five governorship aspirants openly accused the party leadership of manipulating last Friday’s House of Representatives primaries
They warned that the growing crisis could cost the party dearly in the 2027 general elections.
The aspirants, who met at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Ibadan, yesterday, alleged that the primaries held on May 16 across the state were tainted by intimidation, exclusion of party members, arbitrary disqualifications and fabrication of results in some federal constituencies.
The stakeholders are former deputy governor, Rauf Olaniyan; son of former Olubadan, Prince Musbau Asanike, former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan branch, Akeem Agbaje, Dr. Ololade Usman Bakare and Chairman/CEO of Oceansalt Oil and Gas Engineering, Oyedele Hakeem Alao.
In a communiqué after their meeting, the governorship aspirants said the situation within the party had created widespread anger among members and deepened distrust between the grassroots and the leadership.
They claimed that in several constituencies, many registered APC members were allegedly prevented from voting through threats, harassment and forceful removal from voting venues.
According to them, the process fell far below the democratic standards expected within a ruling party.
The aspirants also faulted the alleged disqualification of some contestants without allowing them access to any appeal process, describing the action as a direct violation of the party’s constitution and the principles of fair hearing.
They further alleged that in parts of Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa and Oyo zones, election results were announced despite claims that no voting exercise took place in those areas.
The communiqué described the development as dangerous and capable of destroying confidence in the party’s internal democratic process.
The aspirants warned that the APC in Oyo State was gradually drifting into deeper internal division at a time the party should be preparing strongly for the next general election.
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“A party that alienates its own members, disregards internal democracy and substitutes consensus with imposition cannot present a united front to the electorate,” they stated.
They also pointed to the outcome of the Oluyole Federal Constituency primaries, where a preferred candidate reportedly lost despite enjoying the backing of influential figures, saying the development showed that grassroots members would always resist candidates perceived to have been imposed.
While expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct of the primaries, the governorship aspirants insisted that they were still loyal members of the APC and remained committed to the party’s success. They said they were not opposed to a genuine consensus arrangement, provided it emerged through wide consultations and fairness to all aspirants.
The group declared that they would respect any decision taken by President Bola Tinubu as leader of the party after due consultations with stakeholders across Oyo State.
“Whoever he picks after due consultation and consideration with leaders and stakeholders across the state will be our resolve,” the communiqué stated.
The aspirants, however, stressed that where consensus could not be achieved, only transparent, free and credible primaries should be allowed to determine candidates.
They appealed to Tinubu to intervene and direct both the national and Oyo State leadership of the APC to ensure fairness and internal democracy in future exercises.
The group also called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to urgently review all petitions arising from the House of Representatives primaries, especially complaints relating to alleged illegal disqualifications and fabricated results.
They urged the state leadership of the APC to stop actions capable of worsening divisions within the party and instead embrace reconciliation built on justice, fairness and respect for party members.
The aspirants warned that failure to address the concerns raised by aggrieved members could trigger further crisis, weaken grassroots mobilisation and ultimately affect the party’s electoral fortunes in 2027.
“The APC in Oyo State stands at a critical crossroads. The choice is either to return to the path of fairness and inclusiveness or continue on a road that may lead to deeper division and electoral defeat,” they warned.
