A chieftain and aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Ogun State, Aare (Evang) Kolade Ayodeji Segun-Okeowo, has formally protested what he described as “anti-democratic conditions” in the party’s State Assembly nomination process.
In a petition dated April 29, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman through the National Working Committee (NWC), Segun-Okeowo faulted a press statement issued by the Ogun State chapter of the party announcing the sale of nomination forms to aspirants.
He specifically took issue with a clause in the statement, signed by the State Organising Secretary, Comrade Yemi Adelani, which stated that nomination forms would only be issued to aspirants whose constituencies had been “resolved and approved” by the state governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Describing the condition as “illegal, exclusionary, and undemocratic,” the aspirant argued that it violates the party’s constitution, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Electoral Act. He alleged that the move amounts to an attempt to impose candidates and sideline party members not aligned with the governor’s political camp.
Segun-Okeowo further accused the state leadership of usurping the powers of the NWC, noting that the sale of nomination forms and guidelines for primaries fall strictly within the authority of the national body.
He also raised concerns over alleged hoarding and pre-purchase of nomination forms, warning that such actions could trigger litigation and deepen internal crises within the party.
“The attempt to restrict access to forms based on the governor’s approval is a flagrant denial of members’ rights and a recipe for disunity,” he stated.
The aspirant warned that the development could lead to factionalisation and mass defections ahead of the 2027 general elections if not urgently addressed.
He, therefore, called on the NWC to immediately intervene by nullifying the controversial clause, ensuring equal access to nomination forms for all qualified members, and investigating allegations of manipulation in the process.
Copies of the petition were also sent to key stakeholders, including the President, members of the NWC, the Ogun State governor, security agencies, and party leaders at various levels.
As of the time of filing this report, the Ogun State chapter of the APC had yet to respond to the allegations.
