Oyo APC stakeholders seek direct primaries for Ibadan Northwest/Southwest constituency

Speaking on behalf of the group, party chieftain, Chief Wale Ohu, said the adoption of direct primaries would enhance inclusiveness and strengthen the party’s chances in future elections. He noted that broad participation by members would help consolidate internal cohesion and electoral competitiveness.

Ohu presented an appeal letter dated April 1, 2026, addressed to the party’s national leadership, with copies sent to key stakeholders, including Bisi Akande and Olusegun Osoba. The letter was endorsed by 42 party leaders from the constituency.

Other prominent figures present at the briefing included former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Akin Olajide, and former Commissioner for Environment, Chief Lowo Obisesan, alongside party leaders, House of Representatives aspirants, and numerous constituents.

The group reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the party’s structure, expressing confidence that adherence to inclusive processes would position the APC for improved performance in the 2027 general elections.

The letter read, "The Electoral Act of 2026 (as amended) stipulates that the aspirants jostling for the elective offices in the 2027 general elections should emerge as candidates through 'DIRECT primaries or consensus within the aspirants"

"However, since we subscribe to this position, we, the leaders of both local government, believe imposition in any form without the consensus arrangement by the leaders, and stakeholders may spell doom, as it will not be in our interest for unpopular candidates to take undue advantage to enter through the back door.

"In retrospect, the party has always suffered humiliating defeats whenever candidates were imposed. Good references were our recurring failures at the polls in 2019 and 2023, respectively. In those election cycles referenced, the imposed candidate, Hon. Saheed Fijabi of the APC, was flatly defeated twice by the Peoples' Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Dhikrulahi Stanley Olajide a.k.a Odidiomo.

"We should also take a cue from what happened during the bye-election conducted to fill the vacant seat of Ibadan North Federal Constituency, where a candidate was imposed on the party members. The members went to the polls divided, and this led to a monumental failure for our party in the election.

"Consequent upon these harrowing experiences, the critical stakeholders within the constituency have deemed it imperative to alert the National Headquarters of our great party to avert the impending doom of imposing candidates on the party for the 2027 general elections.

"Rather, the Party should adhere strictly to the principles of constitutional democracy by conducting Direct primaries in which all the party members shall participate without let or hindrance. This is the only way through which the party can avert bitterness, acrimony, and bad blood among the members, including possible protest votes.

"In other words, the Party leaders and the generality of the members cherish openness, transparency, probity, and accountability.

"Our paramount interest is the general elections of 2027, and we are committed to the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in particular, and other APC candidates in general. So, we are resolute and firm on our stand to ensure that principles of transparency and fairness are adhered to in the interest of our party and that every member and aspiring members are provided a level playing ground in the interest of natural justice, equity, fairness, and good conscience."