APC Candidates in Oyo State Urge for Change Ahead of Gubernatorial Primaries
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its gubernatorial primaries in Oyo State, five candidates have voiced their concerns regarding alleged imposition, intimidation, and manipulation within the party. Their protest, staged on Monday, serves as a cautionary signal that these issues could jeopardize the party’s prospects in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Democratic Principles Under Scrutiny
The aspirants, known as the APC G5, have accused the party’s leadership of undermining democratic norms, particularly during the House of Representatives primaries that took place on May 16, 2026. They expressed their grievances during a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Center in Iyaganku, Ibadan. The candidates rejected what they characterized as a compromised direct primary but indicated their willingness to support a transparent and credible consensus if properly managed.
Concerns Over Primary Process
In a communique issued during the conference, former Oyo State Deputy Governors Rauf Olaniyan, Musbau Asanike, Hakeem Agbaje, Olorade Usman Bakare, and Oyedele Hakim Alao critiqued the recent House primaries as riddled with irregularities and procedural violations. They emphasized that this erosion of trust among party members could have lasting repercussions.
Claims of Disenfranchisement
Alao, who read the communique on behalf of the group, pointed out instances of intimidation and disenfranchisement during the primaries. He noted that several candidates were disqualified without receiving a fair hearing or access to an appeals process, violating the APC Constitution’s provisions for a fair process.
Widespread Dissatisfaction and Allegations
The group raised alarms about claims of falsified results in various constituencies, particularly in Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and Oyo districts, even as they asserted that elections were not conducted in those areas. They warned that the discontent stemming from the primary results could further deepen rifts within the party across the 33 local government areas of the state.
Lessons from Past Elections
Referencing the Oluyole Federal Constituency primaries, the candidates highlighted resistance from grassroots members toward the candidates imposed on them. “The results in Oluyole Federal Constituency are a harsh lesson,” they noted, emphasizing that internal rejection played a significant role in the primary’s outcome.
Call for Fairness and Internal Democracy
The aspirants reiterated that the APC must learn from its previous electoral missteps in 2019 and 2023 if it aims to regain power in 2027. They expressed their unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and committed to adhering to any decisions he makes after consultations with state stakeholders. They appealed for his intervention to ensure that both national and state party leadership conduct free, fair, and credible primaries leading up to the elections.
Prioritizing Unity within the Party
In closing remarks, Olaniyan emphasized that their initiative was not aimed at confronting party leadership but rather at fostering a return to power in Oyo State for the APC in 2027. He stressed the importance of fairness, inclusiveness, and internal democracy as essential components for both party unity and electoral success. Assanike added that their push for fairness extends beyond the gubernatorial race and includes future primaries for the Senate and House elections, advocating for a transparent process that minimizes intra-party divisions.
