A coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants who contested the party’s House of Representatives tickets across federal constituencies in Oyo State has called on the national leadership of the party to review the recently concluded candidate-selection process.
The aspirants, under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned APC House of Representatives Aspirants in Oyo State, alleged that the process failed to provide affected aspirants with the transparent and competitive primaries they expected.
The coalition made its position known in a communique titled “On the Conduct of the Party Candidate Selection Process and the Imperative of Genuine Reconciliation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” with the themes “Loyalty, Justice, Inclusion, Unity.”
According to the group, its decision to speak collectively followed consultations among the affected aspirants, their supporters and other stakeholders within the party.
The coalition said its intervention was driven by its commitment to the APC, respect for the party’s constitution and democratic principles, and its desire to see the party approach the 2027 general elections as a united organisation.
At the centre of the aspirants’ grievances is the manner in which the party’s House of Representatives candidates were selected across Oyo State.
The coalition said the aspirants participated in the process with the expectation that credible, transparent and competitive primaries would be conducted in accordance with the APC constitution and relevant guidelines.
It alleged, however, that primaries were not conducted in a manner that allowed aspirants and party members to fully exercise their democratic rights, claiming that candidates were instead selected and presented through what it described as a “unity list.”
While acknowledging the responsibility of party leaders to promote consensus and internal cohesion, the coalition argued that genuine unity could not be achieved through exclusion.
It maintained that any consensus arrangement should be based on broad consultation, mutual consent, fairness and respect for legitimate stakeholders, rather than being imposed without adequate engagement with aspirants who had invested resources, time and political structures in the party.
The group further argued that the absence of transparent primaries deprived aspirants of the opportunity to test their popularity among party members and left some of their supporters feeling excluded from a process in which they had invested considerable energy.
The coalition therefore appealed to the APC national leadership to review the process, hear the concerns of the affected aspirants and establish a reconciliation mechanism to address issues arising from the unity list.
Aspirants Highlight Grassroots Contributions
The coalition also drew attention to the political and grassroots activities undertaken by the affected aspirants before the candidate-selection exercise.
It noted that the APC is currently the opposition party in Oyo State and argued that sustaining the party’s presence in the state has required organisation, sacrifice and continuous engagement with voters and communities.
According to the communique, the aspirants had undertaken various interventions, including empowerment programmes, educational support, healthcare initiatives, youth and women development programmes, agricultural assistance, community projects and direct assistance to vulnerable residents.
The group said the aspirants had also invested personal resources in party mobilisation, membership development, ward-level organisation and voter engagement.
It added that they had developed relationships with traditional institutions, community leaders, religious organisations, professional associations, youth and women groups, artisans and farmers.
The coalition described the political structures controlled by the aspirants as an important component of the APC’s grassroots organisation in Oyo State.
It said the aspirants command networks of coordinators, volunteers, supporters and community influencers, stressing that their continued participation would be important to the party’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group further maintained that no candidate, regardless of how he or she emerged, could secure electoral victory without the support of other stakeholders within the constituency.
It consequently called for reconciliation that goes beyond ceremonial meetings and public appearances, insisting that the contributions of aspirants and their supporters should be recognised and that they should be given meaningful roles in the party’s campaign and governance plans.
‘We Are Not Leaving APC’
Despite their grievances, the aspirants made it clear that they were not threatening to leave the APC.
The coalition reaffirmed its loyalty to the party and expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
It said its continued support for the APC included backing programmes and policies aimed at national development, economic recovery, improved security and better living conditions for Nigerians.
The group also rejected any interpretation of its position as rebellion or disloyalty.
It argued that party members have a responsibility to raise concerns when internal decisions, in their view, threaten party unity, public confidence or the party’s electoral prospects.
“We remain within the APC and are prepared to work for its victory,” the coalition stated, while insisting that party unity should be based on justice, consultation, mutual respect and genuine reconciliation.
Demand Impartial Review, Reconciliation Committee
The coalition outlined a number of demands and recommendations for resolving the dispute.
Among them is a rejection of the suggestion that a unity list prepared without adequate consultation could, by itself, represent the collective will of party members and stakeholders in the affected constituencies.
The aspirants called on the APC national leadership to initiate an impartial review of the candidate-selection process in Oyo State and provide affected aspirants with an opportunity to formally present their concerns.
They also requested that where consensus is considered necessary, it should be achieved through transparent engagement and the voluntary agreement of the aspirants concerned.
Another major demand is the establishment of a high-level reconciliation committee comprising respected national and state party leaders acceptable to all sides.
The coalition further urged the party leadership to recognise the investments, grassroots structures and political contributions of all aspirants and integrate them meaningfully into the party’s strategy for the 2027 elections.
At the same time, it appealed to its supporters across Oyo State to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while the matter is addressed through the appropriate party channels.
Nine Aspirants Sign Communique
The final page of the communique lists nine members of the coalition.
They are Hon. Engr. Tunde Bello (ETB), Hon. Engr. Sanusi Ridwan (STRIKAH), Hon. Ibrahim Lasisi (OJASOPE), Hon. Saheed Oladele, Hon. Bakare Nurudeen, Hon. Ganiyat Olawore Omookurun, Hon. Idowu Adesokan, Hon. Ishaq Morufat Ajibola and Hon. Nureni Adesina Abd Salam.
In its concluding position, the coalition said the APC has an opportunity to improve its electoral fortunes in Oyo State in 2027, but argued that achieving this would require fairness, inclusion and the mobilisation of all genuine stakeholders.
It maintained that the strength of the party should not be measured only by the names that eventually appear on the ballot, but also by the contributions of aspirants, party executives, ward leaders, members, volunteers and supporters.
The group urged the APC leadership to treat the grievances of the aspirants seriously, arguing that justice and reconciliation could restore confidence among party members and provide a basis for greater cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
The coalition ended by reiterating its commitment to the APC and President Tinubu, while stressing that lasting unity must be founded on justice, fairness, inclusion and respect for the sacrifices of party stakeholders.
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