Oyo APC Governorship Aspirants Reject Primary Results, Accuse Party Leaders of Intimidation and Candidate Imposition

Fresh cracks have emerged within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after five governorship aspirants openly rejected the outcome of the party’s recently concluded federal constituency primaries, alleging widespread irregularities, intimidation and manipulation of the process.

The aggrieved aspirants — Akeem Agbaje, Akeem Alao, Remi Olaniyan, Musibau Asanike and Ololade Bakare — accused party leaders of undermining internal democracy during the APC primaries held across the state’s 14 federal constituencies.

Addressing journalists in Ibadan on Monday, the aspirants described the exercise as deeply flawed and warned that the party risked serious internal division ahead of the 2027 general elections if urgent corrective steps were not taken.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Akeem Alao alleged that the primaries were conducted in an atmosphere dominated by threats, suppression and arbitrary exclusion of party members from the voting process.

According to the aspirants, several loyal APC members were allegedly intimidated, physically assaulted or prevented from participating in the exercise in some constituencies. They claimed the situation completely defeated the purpose of conducting direct primaries.

“The primary election was marred by a pervasive atmosphere of coercion and suppression,” the statement read.

“In several federal constituencies, duly registered party members were prevented from exercising their franchise through threats, physical assault, and outright expulsion from voting venues. What should have been a democratic process was turned into an instrument of exclusion.”

The group specifically raised concerns over the conduct of the primaries in Akinyele/Lagelu and Oluyole federal constituencies, insisting that the results announced did not reflect the true wishes of party members at the grassroots.

They argued that attempts by influential figures within the party to impose candidates had triggered anger and frustration among APC loyalists across the state.

Using the Oluyole Federal Constituency as an example, the aspirants noted that a candidate allegedly backed by powerful party leaders suffered defeat because grassroots members rejected what they described as political imposition.

“The outcome in Oluyole proves that no amount of elite endorsement can override the will of the people,” the group stated.

The aspirants also warned that failure to address the alleged irregularities could weaken the APC’s chances in Oyo State during the next election cycle.

They called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure the party leadership conducts transparent, credible and inclusive primaries capable of restoring confidence among members.

“We unequivocally reject the conduct of direct primaries that compromise the majority will of the people. Such exercises have historically bred imposition, alienation and electoral losses for the APC in Oyo State,” the statement added.

The latest development signals growing tension within the Oyo APC as political alignments and succession battles intensify ahead of the 2027 governorship race.