Five governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State on Monday raised the alarm over what they described as irregularities and manipulation in the party’s House of Representatives primary elections, calling on President Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Working Committee to urgently intervene in the growing crisis threatening the unity of the party in the state.
The aggrieved aspirants, who addressed journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre in Iyaganku, Ibadan, warned that the alleged imposition of candidates and manipulation of the electoral process could weaken the APC’s chances in the 2027 general elections if decisive action was not taken.
The governorship hopefuls include former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan, Musbau Asanike, Akeem Agbaje, Ololade Bakare and Oyedele Alao.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Alao read a communique in which the aspirants expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries held on Saturday, May 16, alleging widespread intimidation, disenfranchisement of party members, arbitrary disqualification of aspirants and fabrication of election results in several constituencies.
According to him, the controversies surrounding the exercise had heightened tension among party stakeholders across the state and raised serious concerns about the credibility of the APC’s internal democratic processes ahead of the next general election cycle.
He alleged that in some areas within the Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa and Oyo zones, results were announced despite the fact that elections allegedly did not take place in those constituencies.
The aspirants maintained that such practices were dangerous for the future of the party, insisting that the APC could not afford to repeat mistakes that had previously contributed to internal divisions and electoral setbacks in Oyo State.
Alao said the group strongly rejected any form of primary election process that undermined the collective will of party members.
“We unequivocally reject the conduct of direct primaries that compromise the majority will of the people. Such exercises have historically bred imposition, alienation and electoral losses for the APC in Oyo State,” he stated.
The governorship aspirants stressed that transparent and credible primaries remained the foundation of democratic legitimacy and party cohesion, warning that any attempt to impose candidates on members could trigger deeper disaffection within the APC ahead of 2027.
They therefore appealed to the APC national leadership and President Tinubu to ensure justice and fairness for all aspirants and party faithful in the state.
The group also called for a thorough review of the disputed primary election results and demanded that the party leadership investigate allegations of irregularities raised by aggrieved stakeholders.
According to the communique, the integrity of the APC’s internal electoral process must be protected in order to preserve confidence among members and sustain the party’s prospects in the state.
The aspirants noted that Oyo State remained politically strategic for the ruling party and cautioned against actions capable of creating further divisions within the APC fold.
They argued that many party members who participated in the exercise had become discouraged by what they described as the lack of transparency and fairness during the primaries.
The group further warned that unresolved grievances from the primaries could lead to mass defections, anti-party activities and weakening grassroots support if urgent reconciliation efforts were not initiated by the national leadership.
Political observers believe the latest protest reflects the lingering internal tensions within the Oyo APC as various blocs and influential figures continue positioning ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
The state chapter of the party has in recent years battled recurring disputes arising from candidate selection, leadership struggles and disagreements among stakeholders, with many members repeatedly calling for reforms in the conduct of party primaries.
The aspirants at the briefing insisted that their intervention was aimed at protecting the integrity of the party rather than creating further division.
They urged the APC leadership to prioritise inclusiveness, transparency and internal democracy in all future exercises, stressing that only a credible process could guarantee unity and electoral success.
As preparations gradually begin for the 2027 elections, the controversy surrounding the Oyo APC House of Representatives primaries is expected to intensify pressure on the party leadership to address concerns raised by stakeholders and prevent a wider crisis within the state chapter.
