Five All Progressives Congress governorship aspirants in Oyo State have rejected what they describe as imposition, intimidation, and manipulation in the party’s ongoing primaries, warning it could cost the APC the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking under the banner of the “APC G5,” the aspirants addressed journalists on Sunday at the NUJ Press Centre in Iyaganku, Ibadan. The group comprises former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, Musbau Asanike, Akeem Agbaje, Ololade Usman Bakare, and Oyedele Hakeem Alao.
Reading the communiqué, Alao accused the state party leadership of undermining democratic principles during the May 16, 2026 House of Representatives primaries. He said the exercise was marred by irregularities, procedural violations, and a breakdown of trust among members.
The group alleged that some members were intimidated and disenfranchised, while others were disqualified without a fair hearing or access to appeal. They also claimed fabricated results were announced in parts of Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and Oyo zones, even where no voting took place.
The aspirants said the fallout has sparked grievances across Oyo’s 33 local government areas and warned that continued imposition of candidates would deepen internal divisions. They pointed to the Oluyole Federal Constituency primary as evidence that grassroots members are rejecting imposed choices.
“The APC in Oyo cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that cost us the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections if we hope to win in 2027,” the group said.
While reaffirming loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, the aspirants urged him to intervene and ensure free, fair, and credible primaries. They also called on the APC National Working Committee to review the House of Representatives primaries and address all petitions, and asked the state leadership to stop actions that worsen party divisions.
Olaniyan said the meeting was not meant to fight the party leadership but to safeguard APC’s chances of reclaiming Oyo in 2027. He stressed that fairness, inclusiveness, and internal democracy are key to party unity and electoral success.
