Five governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State have petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s National Working Committee over alleged irregularities in the House of Representatives primary elections conducted in the state.
The aspirants accused party officials of manipulation, intimidation, and imposition of candidates during the primaries, warning that the crisis could weaken the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group made its position known on Monday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre in Iyaganku, Ibadan.
The aspirants include former Deputy Governor of Oyo State Rauf Olaniyan, Musbau Asanike, Akeem Agbaje, Ololade Bakare, and Oyedele Alao.
Allegations of manipulation
Reading the communiqué on behalf of the group, Alao alleged that the House of Representatives primaries held on May 16 were marred by widespread irregularities.
According to him, several constituencies witnessed intimidation of party members, disenfranchisement, arbitrary disqualification of aspirants, and fabrication of results.
He further claimed that in parts of Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and Oyo zones, election results were allegedly announced despite voting not taking place.
“We unequivocally reject the conduct of direct primaries that compromise the majority will of the people,” Alao stated.
“The integrity of the process is as critical as the outcome; when the process is flawed, the outcome lacks democratic legitimacy.”
Call for fair primaries
The aspirants demanded transparent, free, and credible primaries ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that disregard for internal democracy could deepen divisions within the party.
While expressing support for a consensus arrangement, they insisted any consensus must emerge through consultations with stakeholders and party members.
“As loyal members of the APC, we hold that the voice of our leader and President is final in matters of party direction,” the communiqué read.
They also called on the APC National Working Committee to review all petitions linked to the primaries, including allegations of illegal disqualifications and fabricated results.
The group cautioned that unresolved grievances within the party could result in avoidable electoral defeat for the APC in Oyo State during the 2027 polls.
They urged party leaders in the state to prioritise reconciliation, fairness, and justice to prevent further internal crisis.
APC defends primary process
Despite the complaints, Chairman of the House of Representatives Primaries Elections Committee, Mojeed Alabi, defended the exercise, describing it as peaceful and orderly.
Alabi stated that the committee’s role was to supervise the process, collate results, and forward reports to the party’s national leadership.
“We are committed to transparency, fairness, and doing what is right within the limits of available logistics,” he said.
The APC had earlier released the names of candidates who emerged from the primaries across the 14 federal constituencies in Oyo State.
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