Five governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have rejected the outcome of the party’s House of Representatives primary elections conducted on May 16, 2026, alleging widespread irregularities, intimidation and imposition of candidates.
The aspirants – former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Rauf Olaniyan; Musbau Asanike; Akeem Agbaje; Ololade Usman Bakare; and Oyedele Hakeem Alao – were at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Ibadan on Monday to brief journalists on the outcome of their meeting to reflect on the exercise.
In a jointly signed communique, they warned that the internal crisis rocking the party could jeopardise the APC’s chances in the 2027 general elections if urgent corrective measures are not taken.
The aspirants accused party leaders of undermining internal democracy through what they described as manipulated direct primaries characterised by coercion, arbitrary disqualification of aspirants and fabrication of election results in some constituencies.
According to the communiqué, several party members were intimidated, assaulted or prevented from voting during the primaries, while some aspirants were disqualified without being given fair hearing or access to an appeal process.
The group also claimed that in parts of Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa and Oyo zones, election results were announced despite allegations that no voting exercise took place in those areas.
They further alleged that loyal party members across constituencies, including Akinyele/Lagelu, had become disillusioned over what they described as the imposition of candidates and disregard for agreements within the party.
The governorship hopefuls maintained that the outcome of the Oluyole Federal Constituency contest demonstrated that grassroots party members would resist attempts to impose unpopular candidates, regardless of the backing such candidates enjoy from influential figures within the party structure.
The aspirants warned that the APC in Oyo State risks deepening internal divisions and suffering electoral setbacks in 2027 if the current situation is not addressed.
While rejecting what they termed compromised direct primaries, the group declared support for a transparent consensus arrangement, insisting that consensus remains the most credible option when conducted fairly and democratically.
They also reaffirmed loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, describing him as the national leader of the party whose position on party matters remains binding on members.
The aspirants appealed to the president to intervene and direct both the national and Oyo State leadership of the APC to ensure free, fair and credible primaries ahead of future elections.
Among their resolutions, the group called on the National Working Committee of the APC to review the House of Representatives primary elections in Oyo State, investigate petitions arising from the exercise and address allegations of illegal disqualifications and fabricated results through the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
They also demanded that future electoral processes within the party guarantee the free and uncoerced participation of all registered members without intimidation or manipulation.
The aspirants stressed that their intervention was aimed at preserving party unity and restoring confidence among members, warning that continued disregard for democratic principles could weaken the APC’s electoral prospects in the state.
“The APC in Oyo State stands at a critical crossroads,” the communiqué stated. “Either we return to the path of internal democracy, inclusiveness and fairness, or we continue on a trajectory that guarantees division, disillusionment and electoral loss in 2027.”
