Fresh political tension has engulfed the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following conflicting claims surrounding the outcome of the party’s primary election for the Oluyole Federal Constituency seat ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The growing controversy took a dramatic turn on Sunday after prominent APC leaders and stakeholders in Oluyole Local Government openly rejected reports that the incumbent House of Representatives member, , emerged winner of a parallel primary election. Instead, the leaders insisted that the only valid and officially recognised primary election produced former aide to late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, , as the party’s authentic candidate.
The development has once again exposed deepening cracks within the opposition party in Oyo State, with many political observers warning that the internal crisis could further weaken the APC’s chances ahead of the 2027 general elections if urgent reconciliation efforts are not initiated.
At a press briefing held in Ibadan, party stakeholders maintained that the legitimate direct primary election was conducted peacefully across the 10 wards that make up the Oluyole Federal Constituency. According to them, the exercise was supervised by security operatives as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with the party’s guidelines.
The stakeholders explained that the election process was orderly and transparent, adding that Gbolagade secured a total of 2,315 votes to emerge victorious.
Speaking on behalf of the concerned party leaders, APC chieftain Sir Lekan Adeyemo stated that the primary election complied fully with the party’s electoral procedures and was monitored by representatives of relevant security agencies across the constituency.
According to him, “The election was peacefully conducted in all wards and monitored by the police, civil defence, INEC representatives and other security agencies. The results were duly signed by the officials present.”
Adeyemo, however, strongly dismissed reports of another parallel primary election allegedly won by Akande-Sadipe, describing the exercise as lacking credibility and legitimacy.
“We did not see those claiming another election in the field. What we later heard was that some exercises were conducted in private houses belonging to supporters in some wards. The only recognised primary election by stakeholders in Oluyole was the one won by Hon. Abiodun Gbolagade,” he stated.
The disagreement has further intensified existing tensions within the Oyo APC, with several party members accusing unnamed political interests of attempting to manipulate the nomination process and impose preferred candidates on party faithful.
Although Akande-Sadipe’s supporters had earlier announced her emergence as the APC candidate after another primary reportedly supervised by party officials, stakeholders at Sunday’s briefing insisted that no officially recognised exercise apart from the Gbolagade-led process took place within the constituency.
Former Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, Hon. James Adeleke, lamented the lingering leadership crisis within the Oyo APC, noting that the party has struggled to maintain unity since the death of former Governor .
According to Adeleke, the absence of a unifying figure has continued to create factions and political instability within the party structure.
“In Oyo APC today, there is no rallying point capable of bringing all interests together. Since the passing of Ajimobi, the party has been battling internal divisions and leadership struggles,” he said.
He further warned that any attempt to impose candidates against the wishes of party members could spark rebellion within the party and negatively affect APC’s electoral prospects in Oyo State.
“If people lose fairly through a transparent process, they can accept defeat. But when candidates are imposed, aggrieved members may begin to work against the party from within,” Adeleke warned.
The former council chairman also appealed to President and the national leadership of the APC to intervene in the matter to ensure that the outcome of the recognised direct primary election is respected.
Also speaking at the briefing, former Chairman of Akorede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Adeniji Adesokan, insisted that voting only took place at officially approved venues designated by the party.
He disclosed that copies of the election results had already been submitted to security agencies and forwarded to both the state and national leadership of the APC for documentation.
Adesokan further declared that stakeholders loyal to the outcome of the exercise were prepared to seek legal redress should any attempt be made to overturn the results.
“We have fulfilled our responsibilities as party members. Any result different from what genuinely emerged from the field can be challenged legally. We will not allow the efforts of party faithful to be wasted,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the Oluyole Federal Constituency primary coincided with fresh concerns over reports that an aspirant in the Oyo Central Senatorial race, Alhaji Wasiu Ademola, was allegedly disqualified from participating in the APC primary election.
Reacting to the development, party stakeholders denied claims that Ademola voluntarily stepped down from the race. They argued that any alleged last-minute disqualification would amount to political injustice capable of further destabilising the party.
The stakeholders accused some powerful interests within the APC of attempting to influence the primary process in favour of preferred aspirants. They warned that continued allegations of manipulation, interference and candidate imposition could seriously damage the party’s credibility and weaken its chances in future elections across Oyo State.
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