A fresh crisis may be brewing within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as five governorship aspirants have jointly rejected the outcome of the party’s governorship primary process, alleging widespread manipulation, irregularities, and attempts to intimidate dissenting voices through what they described as “audio and visual manipulation.”
In a strongly worded statement jointly signed by former Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, Prince Musbau Asatola Asanike, Dr. Ololade Usman Bakare, and Engr. Hakeem Oyedele Alao, the aspirants expressed disappointment over the conduct of the exercise, insisting that the process failed to reflect the democratic ideals of the ruling party.
The aggrieved aspirants alleged that from the onset, the primary process lacked transparency and inclusiveness, accusing certain party actors of attempting to dominate and control the process to the exclusion of other stakeholders.
According to them, reports from various voting centres indicated that established party guidelines were disregarded, creating an atmosphere of pressure and disenfranchisement for party members who sought to participate in the exercise.
They further claimed that loyal party members were sidelined and denied meaningful participation, while accreditation procedures were allegedly rushed and voting processes altered without prior notice. The aspirants also alleged mishandling of ballots and procedural violations that, in their view, undermined the credibility of the exercise.
“The results declared bore no resemblance to the will of the people on the ground,” the statement read, adding that accepting the outcome would amount to endorsing injustice and betraying party members who expected a fair and transparent contest.
The aspirants urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the matter, warning that unresolved grievances could weaken the party’s chances in future elections in Oyo State. They maintained that the APC requires a candidate capable of uniting members and restoring confidence within the party.
While reaffirming their confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu, the aspirants said they would accept any eventual consensus decision reached through fairness and broad consultation, stressing that such an outcome would not amount to imposition but rather a reflection of genuine party unity.
They also dismissed what they described as attempts to legitimize the disputed process through social media campaigns and photographs, insisting that “no photo opportunity can confer legitimacy on a flawed exercise.”
The group announced plans to challenge the outcome through legal means, seeking the nullification of the process and a fresh primary election that would be credible, transparent, and reflective of the wishes of APC members across the state.
Despite their grievances, the aspirants called on their supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding while pursuing justice through constitutional and legal channels.
The development is expected to heighten tensions within the Oyo APC as stakeholders await the response of the party’s national leadership to the growing discontent among key governorship aspirants.
