One of the governorship aspirants in the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adebayo Adelabu, has raised concerns over alleged irregularities during the party’s governorship primary election held across the state.
Speaking with journalists after voting at Ward 9, Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, Adelabu described the exercise in his ward as peaceful, transparent and credible, noting that he enjoyed overwhelming support from party members in the area.
According to him, out of about 437 registered party members in the ward, over 430 voted in his favour.
“This is my ancestral home and my natural ward. I am satisfied with what we witnessed here today. The process was peaceful, free and fair without any violence or intimidation,” he said.
However, the APC chieftain alleged that reports from several wards across the state indicated cases of electoral misconduct, intimidation and manipulation of results.
Adelabu claimed that in some wards, elections were allegedly conducted before the officially scheduled time, while in others, party members were prevented from voting through intimidation and violence.
“In some places, elections did not even take place, yet results were allegedly written and recorded. This is not good for our democracy and something must be done about it,” he stated.
The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria further alleged that some party executives connived with certain aspirants to impose what he described as “consensus candidates” despite the directive from the party’s national leadership for a free and transparent direct primary election.
“There was nothing like consensus candidates. Eleven aspirants purchased forms and were cleared for the race. Every aspirant should have been given a level playing ground,” Adelabu added.
He disclosed that petitions would be submitted to the appropriate authorities over the alleged irregularities across the five geopolitical zones of Oyo State, including Ibadan, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomosho, Ibarapa and Oyo.
Adelabu also warned against what he described as attempts to impose an unpopular candidate on the party through manipulated results.
“We will resist fake results and any form of falsehood capable of imposing an unpopular candidate on the party,” he said.
Despite his reservations, Adelabu expressed optimism that justice would prevail at the end of the process.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House of Assembly and Governorship Primary Election Committee in Oyo State, Rt. Hon. Taofeek Abdulsalam, described the exercise as largely peaceful and orderly.
Abdulsalam said the committee had monitored the process across different parts of the state and was impressed with the conduct of party members.
“So far, what we have witnessed has been peaceful and rancour-free. People are queuing peacefully to vote and the atmosphere has been friendly,” he said.
He dismissed speculations about the existence of an anointed candidate, insisting that all aspirants were participating freely in the exercise.
“The President has not endorsed any candidate. What people are saying remains speculation and should be properly verified,” he added.
The committee chairman urged all aspirants and party supporters to remain calm and unite behind whoever emerges as the party’s candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the APC Primary Election Monitoring Committee in Oyo State, Chief Ayo Afolabi, commended party members for their peaceful conduct during the exercise.
Afolabi described the turnout of voters as encouraging and expressed confidence that the APC would emerge stronger after the primary.
“We appreciate the turnout and peaceful behaviour of party members. Whoever emerges as the candidate should enjoy the support of all members so that the party can achieve victory in 2027,” he said.
He also dismissed allegations of an already anointed candidate, maintaining that all contestants were expected to go through the electoral process before a winner could emerge.
