Kwara APC Aspirant Protests Alleged Candidate Replacement

A political dispute has emerged within Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, where a House of Assembly aspirant, Akeeb Sulaimon, alleges an attempt to replace him with another candidate after he reportedly won the party's primary election.

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I am the duly elected winner of the APC primary election for Odo-Ogun State Constituency, having emerged victorious over the incumbent member of the Kwara State House of Assembly.

Sulaimon, who sought the ticket for the Odo-Ogun State Constituency, claims that Musa Atoyebi, the incumbent Deputy Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and younger brother of President Bola Tinubu’s Aide-de-Camp, is being positioned to take his place. Sulaimon insists he is the rightful candidate based on the primary election results and has rallied supporters in a peaceful protest to voice their concerns.

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I call on our party leaders to caution Hon. Musa Atoyebi against any actions capable of causing tension or violence, especially in view of rumours allegedly being spread to create confusion and disunity within our party.

Supporters and party stakeholders have appealed to the APC leadership to review the alleged decision, expressing concern that fielding a candidate rejected in the primaries could negatively impact the party's prospects in the upcoming general election. They also called for caution against actions that might escalate tensions within the party, emphasizing the need to prioritize the party's interests over individual ambitions.

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The interest of the party should always take precedence over individual interests. We are concerned that presenting a candidate who was rejected at the party’s primary election could have serious political consequences for the APC in the forthcoming general election.