Five Oyo APC guber aspirants kick against imposition, seek Tinubu’s intervention

… APC in Oyo State must not repeat  mistakes of 2019 and 2023 governorship elections

Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Oyo State, five aspirants, on Monday, kicked against alleged imposition, intimidation and manipulation warning that the development could threaten the party’s chances in the 2027 general elections.

The govenorship aspirants under the aegis of APC G5,accused the party leadership in the state of undermining democratic principles during the House of Representatives primary election held on May 16, 2026.

Making grievances known during a press conference held at the Dapo Aderogba Hall of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan, they rejected what they termed compromised direct primaries but however, declared support for a transparent and credible consensus arrangement if properly managed.

In a communique presented at the briefing and jointly signed by Rauf Olaniyan, former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Musbau Asanike,  Akeem Agbaje, Ololade Usman Bakare, and Oyedele Hakeem Alao said the Saturday’s House of Representatives primaries exercise was marred by widespread irregularities, procedural violations and what they described as a growing erosion of trust among party members.

Alao while reading the communiqué on behalf of the group, the G5 alleged that several party members were intimidated and disenfranchised during the primaries, while some aspirants were allegedly disqualified without fair hearing or access to an appeal process.

“We note with profound concern the unilateral disqualification of multiple aspirants without the benefit of a screening appeal process. This action contravenes the explicit provisions of the APC Constitution, which guarantees the right to fair hearing,” the communiqué stated.

The aspirants further alleged that fabricated results were announced in some constituencies, particularly in Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa and Oyo zones, despite claims that elections were not conducted in parts of those areas.

They maintained that the outcome of the primaries had generated widespread grievances among party faithful across the 33 local government areas of the state, warning that continued imposition of candidates could deepen internal divisions within the party.

The group while citing the outcome of the Oluyole Federal Constituency primary election, argued that grassroots party members had already demonstrated resistance to imposed candidates.

“The outcome in Oluyole Federal Constituency serves as a stark lesson. A preferred candidate, despite the backing of influential leaders, suffered a decisive defeat because the candidature had already been rejected by the constituency,” the communiqué added.

The aspirants insisted that the APC in Oyo State could not afford to repeat what they described as the mistakes that cost the party victory in the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections if it truly hopes to reclaim power in 2027.

They also reaffirmed their loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that they would abide by any decision reached by the President after due consultation with stakeholders across the state.

“Whatever Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu says is binding on us as our national leader. Whoever he picks after due consultation and consideration with leaders and stakeholders across the state will be acceptable to us,” the communiqué stated.

The group appealed to President Tinubu to intervene and compel both the national and state leadership of the party to ensure free, fair and credible primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

Among other resolutions reached at the meeting, the aspirants called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to review the House of Representatives primaries conducted in Oyo State and address all petitions arising from the exercise.

They also urged the state leadership of the party to desist from actions capable of worsening divisions within the APC.

Earlier in his remarks,Olaniyan said the gathering was not aimed at fighting the party leadership but at ensuring APC’s return to power in Oyo State in 2027.

“We are men of peace. We are working for the progress of our party. APC has been out of power in Oyo State for the past eight years, and we are determined to ensure the party returns to government in 2027,” he said.

Olaniyan warned against repeating strategies that failed the party in previous elections, insisting that fairness, inclusiveness and internal democracy remained critical to party unity and electoral success.

Asanike on his part, said the intervention was not solely about the governorship race but about ensuring fairness across all forthcoming primaries, including Senate and House of Assembly elections.

According to him, we are not against consensus and we are not against direct primaries. What we want is a transparent and fair process that will not create unnecessary division within the party.