APC Chieftains in Ibadan Warn Against Candidate Imposition Ahead of 2027 Poll

…Advocate direct primaries to prevent internal crisis and protest votes

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan North-West and Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency have called on the party’s national leadership to adopt direct primaries for selecting candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, and not impost candidates.

This was in a formal communication addressed to the National Chairman of the APC, by the Apex Leaders Council of Ibadan Southwest/ Northwest constituency.

The letter was copied to the National Secretary of the APC at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

They stakeholders stressed that adopting direct primaries would ensure transparency, fairness, and unity within the party.

The leaders expressed their commitment to strengthening the APC in Oyo State and across Nigeria, noting their determination to secure victory for the party in all elections, including the presidential, gubernatorial, and legislative polls in 2027.

While citing provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), the group acknowledged that candidates can emerge either through direct primaries or consensus.

However, they strongly warned against the imposition of candidates without broad agreement among stakeholders, describing such actions as detrimental to the party’s success.

According to the stakeholders, past experiences have shown that imposed candidates often lead to electoral losses.

The leaders also referenced the party’s defeats in the 2019 and 2023 elections, where the APC candidate, Saheed Fijabi, lost to the Peoples Democratic Party’s Dhikrulahi Stanley Olajide.

They also recalled a similar outcome during a bye-election in Ibadan North Federal Constituency, where internal divisions arising from candidate imposition contributed to the party’s loss.

The group warned that repeating such practices could jeopardize the APC’s chances in the 2027 elections, urging the national leadership to take proactive steps to avoid internal crises.

As a way forward, the leaders advocated for the adoption of direct primaries, emphasizing that such a process would allow all party members to participate freely in candidate selection.

They argued that this approach would help prevent internal conflicts, protest votes, and disunity within the party.

The party stakeholders further highlighted the importance of upholding democratic principles such as openness, accountability, and equity in the party’s internal processes.

They reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC, the leaders pledged their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all party candidates in the forthcoming elections.

They also stressed the need to provide a level playing field for all aspirants in line with principles of fairness and justice.

Leaders at the meeting are ; Chief Wale Ohu, Engr. Ayo Olatunji, Chief Lowo Obisesan, Mogaji Alabama Bolarinwa, Hon. Tajudeen Balogun, Hon. Rafiu Folarin, Hon. Gbenga Opaleye, and other party stakeholders.