Oyo APC gov aspirants petition Tinubu over ‘rigging’ in Reps primaries

The internal politics of Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State are fraught with tension following the recent House of Representatives primary elections. Five prominent governorship aspirants have voiced strong objections, submitting a joint petition to President Bola Tinubu and the party's National Working Committee. Their core grievance centers on allegations of widespread rigging, intimidation, disenfranchisement, and the fabrication of results, which they claim marred the primaries.

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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.

Speaking through a communique read at a press briefing, the aspirants, including former Deputy Governor Rauf Olaniyan, articulated their rejection of primary election processes that they believe compromise the will of the party members. They specifically pointed to instances where results were allegedly announced in constituencies where elections did not even take place, particularly in the Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, and Oyo zones. This lack of transparency and fairness, they argue, breeds imposition and alienation, ultimately leading to electoral losses for the APC in Oyo State.

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The integrity of the process is as critical as the outcome; when the process is flawed, the outcome lacks democratic legitimacy.

The aspirants emphasized that the integrity of the electoral process is paramount. When the process is flawed, they contend, the outcome lacks democratic legitimacy. They expressed concern that the continued disregard for internal democracy could deepen existing divisions within the party and significantly jeopardize its chances in the upcoming 2027 general elections. While reaffirming their loyalty to President Tinubu and stating their willingness to abide by his decisions after due consultation, they are urging the party leadership to thoroughly review the petitions and ensure justice and fairness.

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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 (Tinubu) picks, after due consultation and consideration with leaders and stakeholders across the state, will be our resolve.

This situation highlights a recurring challenge within Nigerian political parties: balancing the ambition of various factions with the need for cohesive and credible electoral processes. The aspirants' call for reconciliation and fairness is crucial not only for Oyo State but also as a broader signal to the national leadership about the importance of internal democracy in maintaining party strength and public trust. The party's response to these allegations will be closely watched as a test of its commitment to democratic principles.

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We call on the APC National Working Committee to review all petitions arising from the House of Representatives primaries, including alleged illegal disqualifications and fabricated results.