By-Election: Oyo APC in Turmoil Over Primary Election Outcome

..As 9 Aspirants reject imposition, to support PDP candidate, DON

The APC primary in Ibadan, held on Sunday, was marred by allegations of manipulation, violence, and open confrontation among aspirants and party leaders. 

One of the leading aspirants, Idris Lapade, was allegedly assaulted by another aspirant, sparking tensions and chaos.

Eyewitnesses claimed that the altercation broke out after heated arguments over the credibility of the process, with Lapade confronting party agents over alleged doctoring of delegates’ lists. 

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with many aspirants accusing a serving public office holder of hijacking the process.

Nine out of ten aspirants have expressed discontent with the results, citing flawed processes, undemocratic practices, and allegations of hijacking by vested interests.

The aspirants rejected the outcome of the primary, with some alleging that the process was manipulated. The controversy deepened with reports of an alleged attack on former chairman Idris Lapade during the primary.

The crisis has raised concerns about the party’s internal democracy and its ability to present a united front ahead of future elections. The outcome of the primary has sparked widespread discontent among party members, who are questioning the legitimacy of the process.

It should be noted that the crisis is the latest in a string of internal wranglings that have plagued the APC in Oyo State since it lost the governorship seat to the PDP in 2019. 

The party’s factionalization and lack of cohesion have raised concerns about its electoral fortunes in the state.

The aggrieved aspirants have vowed to challenge the outcome through petitioning the national party leadership, underscoring their refusal to accept what they deem a fraudulent result. As the party grapples with internal rifts and trust issues, the looming by-election on August 16, 2025, poses a critical test for the APC’s electoral prospects in the state.

The fate of the disputed primary remains uncertain, raising the possibility of a rerun or the selection of a consensus candidate by the National Working Committee to address the deadlock.

However, there are indications that the aggrieved 9 aspirants will support the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), should the party failed to address the issue amicably.