Fresh tension is rocking the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State following allegations of manipulation, intimidation, and lack of transparency surrounding the forthcoming House of Representatives primary election for the Atisbo/Saki East/Saki West Federal Constituency.
Just hours before the scheduled Saturday, May 16, 2026 direct primary election, five aggrieved aspirants openly rejected the planned exercise, accusing the party leadership of orchestrating a process designed to favour a preferred candidate.
The crisis became public after the aspirants submitted a strongly-worded petition to the Oyo State Chairman of the APC, warning that the credibility of the primary election had already been compromised.
The protest letter was jointly signed by Dr. Yisa Yusuf Oyedemi Muslim, Alhaji Jimoh Adeniyi Akanni, Mr. Kodir Tunde Ajibade, and Dr. Lukman Adisa Salami, alongside other concerned stakeholders within the constituency.
According to the aspirants, the party leadership allegedly created an atmosphere that undermines internal democracy and violates the principles of fairness expected in a democratic process.
The politicians claimed that during a meeting held at the APC state secretariat on Thursday, aspirants contesting House of Representatives seats across Oyo State’s 14 federal constituencies were allegedly informed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu preferred that some serving lawmakers in the National Assembly should retain their seats.
However, the aspirants strongly rejected the alleged claim, insisting that no genuine democratic system should operate on predetermined outcomes or political endorsements imposed from above.
In the letter, the aggrieved members argued that such statements already created widespread fear among contestants and supporters, raising serious doubts about the credibility of the direct primary process.
They maintained that the conduct of the party leadership suggested an attempt to deny aspirants equal opportunities in the contest.
According to them, a leadership genuinely interested in fairness and party unity would ensure a level playing field for all contestants rather than creating what they described as an atmosphere of “institutionalised deception.”
The aspirants further alleged that many APC members eligible to vote in the primary election had not been issued valid membership registration slips or proper identification documents required for accreditation.
They argued that the failure to provide updated membership records could disenfranchise genuine party members and create room for manipulation during the exercise.
More controversially, the petitioners alleged that only loyalists connected to a serving House of Representatives member allegedly seeking a fourth term had access to older membership cards expected to be used during accreditation.
Describing the situation as selective treatment capable of dividing the party, the aspirants warned that such practices could deepen internal cracks within the APC ahead of future elections in Oyo State.
The political tension reportedly escalated further following allegations of intimidation and violence during a recent APC stakeholders’ meeting held at L.A. School, Isale Taba, Saki.
According to the petitioners, armed thugs allegedly stormed the gathering carrying axes, cutlasses, cudgels, and Fulani cattle sticks while threatening members believed to hold opposing political views.
The aspirants described the incident as a dangerous signal of what could happen during the actual primary election if urgent intervention was not taken by party authorities and security agencies.
They warned that the political atmosphere in the constituency had already become tense, hostile, and unsafe for aspirants and ordinary party members.
The aggrieved politicians also accused the party leadership of allegedly violating provisions of Nigeria’s Electoral Act guiding direct primaries and consensus arrangements within political parties.
Consequently, they demanded the immediate suspension of the planned primary election and called for a fresh process that would guarantee transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility.
The petition urged the APC leadership in Oyo State to fix another date for a new primary election that all aspirants and party members could trust.
According to the letter, failure to address the growing concerns may force the aspirants to seek redress through the party’s appeal structures or approach the court for legal intervention.
Copies of the protest letter were reportedly forwarded to President Tinubu, the APC National Chairman, the party’s National Organising Secretary, National Publicity Secretary, and former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin.
Political observers believe the unfolding crisis could test the unity of the APC in Oyo State ahead of future electoral battles, especially as internal party disputes continue to dominate conversations within Nigeria’s political landscape.
With tensions rising and accusations flying across camps, many party loyalists are now waiting to see whether the APC leadership will address the complaints of the aggrieved aspirants or proceed with the controversial primary election regardless of the backlash.
0 Comments