By Adesakin Adefemi
A group of All Progressives Congress stakeholders in Oyo State has rejected alleged attempts to impose consensus candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such a move could fracture the party’s structure and weaken its electoral prospects.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting at the Otunba Subomi Balogun Hall, University of Ibadan, on Tuesday.
The communiqué, signed by party members including Akinleye Olusegun, Saheed Olayiwola, Adetoyese Ishola, Adekola Mudashiru, Abiola Oyeyemi, Inaolaji Akinloye, Asoludero Banji, Ojo Oluwaseun, Femi Awogboro and Teslim Kunle, expressed “deep concern and dissatisfaction” over recent anti-democratic developments within the state chapter. The stakeholders insisted that only direct primaries could guarantee transparency and credibility in candidate selection.
The warning comes as political maneuvering intensifies in Oyo APC ahead of the 2027 governorship race. Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, recently resigned from the Federal Government and formally declared his intention to contest the election during a visit to the party secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan. Adelabu said he was confident of winning the ticket and rejected any arrangement that would bypass open contest.
Adelabu’s declaration followed reports that some APC leaders had endorsed Senator Sharafadeen Alli of Oyo South for the governorship slot. The stakeholders, however, described the endorsement as premature and undemocratic, arguing that it undermines the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act. They called for adherence to due process to avoid internal divisions.
The group also distanced itself from a meeting held on May 1 in Ibadan, allegedly convened by Senator Ayoade Adeseun and Fatai Ibikunle on behalf of President Bola Tinubu. “We want to declare the gathering null, void and unacceptable,” the communiqué stated, adding that it did not reflect the views of genuine party leaders but was driven by personal interests.
According to the stakeholders, attempts to impose candidates amount to “a direct assault on internal democracy” and misrepresent the President’s democratic credentials. “Mr President is a democrat. Let everyone go to the field to test their popularity so that the best candidate can emerge,” they said. They warned that imposition had repeatedly failed in Oyo State and would not succeed this time.
Beyond candidate selection, the stakeholders urged the APC national leadership to take disciplinary action against members accused of anti-party activities and gross indiscipline, including expulsion where necessary. They said such steps were critical to preserving unity and preventing the defection of influential members to rival parties.
The group stressed that many residents still see the APC as a viable alternative to Governor Seyi Makinde’s Peoples Democratic Party administration in Oyo. They cautioned that neglecting grassroots sentiment and democratic norms could erode that goodwill ahead of the next election cycle.
As alignments continue to take shape across Oyo’s political landscape, the stakeholders’ stance signals an early battle over party structure and candidate emergence. With 2027 still two years away, the demand for open primaries may set the tone for how the APC navigates internal competition in one of Nigeria’s politically significant states.
