Oyo APC lawmaker hopeful steps back and pledges support for party ahead of 2027

Abdullah Bello has abandoned his bid for the APC nomination in Oyo State’s Irepo/Orelope/Olorunsogo federal constituency, saying he will instead mobilise for the party in the 2027 general elections.

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the manifest irregularities and injustices that characterised the nomination exercise

Bello said his decision followed a reconciliation meeting convened by APC National Chairman and members of the National Working Committee with about 42 aspirants from the state’s 33 local government areas. According to Bello, the committee accepted responsibility for “the manifest irregularities and injustices that characterised the nomination exercise” and acknowledged that no candidate had emerged through a credible, properly conducted process.

He said there had been neither a primary election nor a consensus arrangement for the Old Irepo federal constituency seat or the State House of Assembly. Bello also said the NWC acknowledged that candidates had been imposed across all 33 local government areas. He argued that the imposed candidate in his constituency lacked the political capital and public credibility to advance the party’s ideology, making the campaign more difficult.

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I am now stepping down my ambition and mobilising for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite irregularities in the primary process.

Despite those complaints, Bello said consultations with stakeholders, elders and grassroots leaders had led him to put party unity and electoral victory above his personal ambition. “I am now stepping down my ambition and mobilising for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite irregularities in the primary process,” he said.

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This decision must not be misconstrued as surrender or as a deficit of conviction. My aspiration to serve the good people of Old Irepo Federal Constituency has, from inception, not been a do-or-die pursuit. It is a call to service.

Bello said he was “sheathing the sword” in response to the national chairman’s intervention, but not legitimising what he called an injustice. He urged the party leadership to restore confidence, particularly among young members, and rejected speculation that he would defect. “I am not defecting from the APC. My commitment to the growth, stability and success of the party remains total and unshaken,” he said.

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I am not defecting from the APC. My commitment to the growth, stability and success of the party remains total and unshaken.