A group of Governorship Aspirants under the platform of the All-Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has rejected the conduct of the direct primary election for the House of Representatives Aspirants under the platform of the party held last Saturday, calling for its review.
The Aspirants, who include a Former Deputy Governor of the State, Engr RAUF OLANIYAN; Engr HAKEEM ALAO; Prince MUSBAU ASANIKE; Barrister AKEEM AGBAJE and Dr USMAN BAKARE, made their position known in a communique issued and read to newsmen at a press conference held at the NUJ Press Center, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Aspirants, who maintained that they are for peace and Unity of the Party, called on the leadership of the Party to ensure fairness, equity and justice among all members.
The group condemned in the strongest terms the incidents in Oke Ogun, Ibarapa and Oyo Zones, where they said there were no primary election, yet results were manufactured and announced in favour of predetermined candidates.
According to the aspirants, the exercise was marred by widespread irregularities, procedural violations and what they described as a growing erosion of trust among party members.
The G5 alleged that several party members were intimidated and disenfranchised during the primaries, while some aspirants were allegedly disqualified without fair hearing or access to an appeal process.
“This fraudulent practice constitutes a blatant violation of the Electoral Act, the APC Constitution, and the principles of democratic accountability. It is an affront to the intelligence and dignity of party members.”
The group appealed to the party’s leaders to be wary of repetition of incidences that led to the loss of the party in the Governorship election in the state in 2019 and 2023.
They however reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the APC and its ideals, adding that, they would not remain silent while the party was driven toward avoidable defeat by undemocratic practices and the erosion of internal democracy.
“We affirm that we are not opposed to transparent consensus primary. On the contrary, consensus remains our preferred option because it provides the most credible path for the emergence of the best candidate.
“It is a mechanism that reflects the collective will of party members when properly conducted. Whatever Asiwaju Bola Tinubu says is binding as National leader.
“As loyal members of the APC, we hold that the voice of our leader and President is final in matters of party direction.
“Whoever he picks, after due consultation and consideration with leaders and stakeholders across the state, will be our resolve. We will abide by it without reservation,” the group submitted.
