APC: Leaders Rally Behind Gbolagade over Oluyole primaries

…Reject Akande-Sadipe’s alleged emergence

Fresh controversy has erupted within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, following the emergence of different candidates laying claims to the party’s primary tickets of the House of Representatives for Oluyole Federal Constituency seat.

Party stakeholders insisted that only one recognised exercise was conducted in line with the party’s guidelines.

The development has further exposed deepening divisions within the Oyo APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, as stakeholders warned against alleged imposition of candidates and called on the national leadership of the party to uphold the outcome of direct primaries.

During a press briefing held on Sunday at New garage party office, APC leaders in Oluyole Local Government declared that the primary election conducted across the 10 wards of the constituency was peaceful, transparent and monitored by security agencies as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, APC chieftain, Sir Lekan Adeyemo, said the exercise was conducted without rancour and produced former Special Adviser to late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Hon. Abiodun Gbolagade, as winner with 2,315 votes

“The election was held peacefully in all the wards and monitored by relevant authorities. The results were signed by INEC representatives, the police, civil defence and other security agencies present,” he said.

According to him, security agencies including the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps monitored the exercise across the wards, while results were duly documented and signed.

Adeyemo, however, dismissed reports of another primary said to have produced incumbent lawmaker, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, as winner, alleging that the exercise was conducted privately in residences of supporters rather than designated polling centres.

“We did not see them in the field. What we heard was that elections were conducted in houses of supporters across some wards. The only primary recognised by stakeholders was the one won by Hon. Gbolagade,” he stated.

It was earlier announced in some reports that the federal lawmaker emerged candidate of the party following a primary conducted in compliance with APC guidelines and monitored by party officials.

The conflicting claims have since heightened tension within APC in the state, with stakeholders warning that attempts to impose candidates through consensus arrangements could destabilise the party.

In an interview, a former local government Chairman of Oluyole, Hon. James Adeleke, said the crisis reflected the absence of a unifying leadership figure in the state since the death of former Governor Ajimobi.

“In Oyo APC today, there is no rallying point or leader that can bring everyone together. Since the death of Ajimobi, the party has struggled with internal divisions,” Adeleke said.

He maintained that direct primaries remained the most credible option for resolving disputes among aspirants, warning that any attempt to impose candidates could trigger another round of grievances similar to those witnessed during the 2023 elections.

“If people lose fairly on the field, they will accept defeat. But when candidates are imposed, aggrieved members may work against the party,” he warned.

The APC stalwart also appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the national leadership of the party to intervene and ensure transparency in the handling of the primaries.

Also in a. Interview, a former chairman of Akorede LCDA, Hon. Adeniji Adesokan, also defended the Oluyole primary, insisting that voting took place only at statutory venues recognised by the party.

He said copies of the results were distributed to security agencies and forwarded to both the state and national leadership of the APC.

He added that stakeholders were prepared to challenge any contrary outcome in court if necessary.

“We have done what is expected of us. Any result contrary to what emerged from the field can be challenged legally. We will not allow our efforts to be wasted,” he said.

Meanwhile, concerns also emerged over reports that one of the senatorial aspirants in Oyo Central, Alhaji Wasiu Ademola, had been disqualified from contesting the party’s primary election.

Reacting to the reports, stakeholders denied claims that the aspirant had stepped down, insisting that disqualification at the last minute would amount to injustice and could further worsen tensions within the party.

They accused some powerful interests within the APC of attempting to manipulate the process in favour of preferred candidates, warning that such actions could negatively affect the party’s electoral fortunes.