Five governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State have rejected the conduct and outcome of the party’s House of Representatives primary election held on May 16, 2026, describing the exercise as fraudulent, exclusionary and a threat to the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.
The aspirants, in a communiqué jointly signed on Monday, accused the party leadership in the state of supervising a process riddled with intimidation, arbitrary disqualifications, imposition of candidates and fabrication of results in some constituencies.
The communiqué which was signed by former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, former NBA chairman, Akeem Agbaje, Engineer Akeem Alao, Musbau Asanike and Ololade Usman Bakare. Was read by Engineer Akeem Alao at a press conference held at NUJ press Center, Iyaganku Ibadan
The aggrieved aspirants said consultations with party stakeholders, loyalists and members across the 33 local government areas revealed widespread dissatisfaction with the conduct of the primaries.
According to them, several registered party members were allegedly prevented from voting through threats, assaults and intimidation in some federal constituencies, thereby undermining the credibility of the direct primary process.
The aspirants also condemned what they described as the unilateral disqualification of some contestants without recourse to appeal procedures as provided in the party constitution.
They further alleged that in some areas of Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa and Oyo zones, no elections were held, yet results were announced in favour of “predetermined candidates.”
The communiqué partly read, “This exercise, intended to serve as a foundation for democratic representation, has instead descended into a crisis of legitimacy, characterized by systemic irregularities, procedural violations, and a palpable erosion of trust among the rank and file of our party.”
The aspirants warned that the current crisis could weaken the APC ahead of the 2027 elections if urgent steps were not taken to restore confidence among party members.
They maintained that the alleged imposition of candidates and disregard for grassroots opinions could lead to mass defections, voter apathy and internal division within the party.
Citing the outcome of the Oluyole Federal Constituency primary, the group argued that grassroots members had demonstrated their rejection of imposed candidates despite support from influential leaders.
The governorship hopefuls called on the National Working Committee of the APC to immediately review the House of Representatives primaries in Oyo State and address all petitions arising from the exercise.
They also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and ensure free, fair and credible governorship primaries in the state.
While acknowledging what they described as the President’s preference for Sarafa Alli, the aspirants urged him to ensure a level playing field for all contestants.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to the APC but insisted that it would not remain silent in the face of what it called undemocratic practices capable of plunging the party into avoidable defeat in 2027.
“The APC in Oyo State stands at a critical crossroads. The choice before us is stark: either we return to the path of internal democracy, inclusiveness, and fairness, or we continue on a trajectory that guarantees division, disillusionment, and electoral loss in 2027,” the communiqué stated.
