Bye-Election Trouble: APC Accepts Defeat, Eyes 2027 Amid INEC Bombshell

As the August 16 bye-election to fill the vacant Ibadan North Federal Constituency seat approaches, the All Progressives Congress (APC) appears to be grappling with internal turmoil and waning morale, following a leaked memo from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which cast doubt on the legitimacy of its primary election.

The by-election, prompted by the passing of Hon. Musiliu Akinremi Olaide “Jagaban”, has seen the APC’s political machinery in Ibadan North struggle with disunity, unresolved grievances, and what many members now consider a lost cause. The situation was exacerbated by the release of an internal INEC memo which officially confirmed that the APC’s scheduled primary election for the constituency did not take place.

The memo, dated July 21, 2025, and signed by the Acting Administrative Secretary of INEC’s Oyo State office, Rosemary Alaba Adeniyi, addressed to the Director of Election and Party Monitoring at INEC Headquarters, stated unequivocally that the APC primary scheduled for July 19 did not hold. Another communication, issued by Kehinde Omisile, Acting Head of the Election and Party Monitoring Department, also confirmed that efforts by INEC officials to observe the exercise proved abortive.
Party stakeholders and members have reacted strongly to the revelation. Many view the failure of the party to conduct a transparent and credible primary election as a serious blow to its credibility and chances at the polls. The selection of Hon. Wale Murphy as the party’s candidate has been met with stiff resistance from fellow aspirants and their supporters, who allege imposition and manipulation.

Nine aspirants who contested the ticket alongside Murphy have reportedly resolved not to support his candidacy, with many openly declaring their intention to focus instead on preparations for the 2027 general elections. “We have accepted that the bye-election is lost. It’s more important now to rebuild the party from within and come back stronger in 2027,” said a source close to one of the aggrieved aspirants.

The internal divisions are not limited to aspirants alone. Several grassroots members and party loyalists in Ibadan North have also distanced themselves from the campaign, citing dissatisfaction with the process that produced the candidate. Some have vowed to remain neutral, while others have declared their non-participation in any campaign activities.

The leaked INEC memo is being described as the final nail in the coffin for APC’s bye-election campaign, as it publicly confirms what many insiders had whispered — that the party failed to conduct the process according to due procedure.

Observers note that the APC now faces the dual task of managing electoral loss and healing deep-rooted internal wounds. For many members, the focus has already shifted to reconciling factions and reorganizing the party structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As the political climate in Ibadan North intensifies, the party’s ability to resolve these issues may determine its long-term relevance and electoral success in the state.