2027: Crisis Looms In Oyo APC As Govn’shp Aspirants Petition Tinubu Over ‘Rigging’ In Reps Primaries 

 

 

By Rotela Oguns

 

The House of Representatives primary elections conducted in Oyo State has caused a disaffection among the party’s stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which if not promptly addressed may lead to a full-blown crisis in the opposition party.

 

 

 

This is as five  governorship aspirants of the party in the state called on President Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Working Committee to intervene in the development to nip the brewing crisis in the bud.

 

 

The aspirants also demanded free, fair and credible primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that alleged imposition and manipulation could hurt the party’s electoral chances in the state.

 

Their position was contained in a communique read during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

 

The aspirants include former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan; Musbau Asanike; Akeem Agbaje; Ololade Bakare; and Oyedele Alao.

 

 

 

Reading the communique on behalf of the group, Alao alleged that the House of Representatives primaries conducted on Saturday, May 16, were marred by intimidation, disenfranchisement of party members, arbitrary disqualification of aspirants and fabrication of results in some constituencies.

 

He claimed that in parts of Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa and Oyo zones, results were allegedly announced despite elections not taking place.

 

Alao said, “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.

 

 

“The integrity of the process is as critical as the outcome; when the process is flawed, the outcome lacks democratic legitimacy.”

 

The group stated that party members across several constituencies had expressed dissatisfaction over what it described as the sidelining of loyal members and imposition of candidates.

 

The aspirants warned that continued disregard for internal democracy could deepen divisions within the party and affect its chances in the 2027 elections.

 

While backing a transparent consensus arrangement, they maintained that any consensus process must reflect consultations with stakeholders and the collective interest of party members.

 

They also reaffirmed their loyalty to Tinubu, saying they would abide by any decision reached after due consultations with party leaders and stakeholders.

 

 

The aspirants said, “As loyal members of the APC, we hold that the voice of our leader and President is final in matters of party direction. Whoever he (Tinubu) picks, after due consultation and consideration with leaders and stakeholders across the state, will be our resolve.

 

“We call on the APC National Working Committee to review all petitions arising from the House of Representatives primaries, including alleged illegal disqualifications and fabricated results.

 

 

“We also urge the Oyo APC leadership to embrace reconciliation, justice and fairness in order to prevent further division within the party.”

 

The group warned that the APC in the state risked avoidable electoral defeat in 2027 if the issues raised were not urgently addressed.