Tensions within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have escalated ahead of the 16 August by-election, as aggrieved aspirants have called for immediate intervention by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
At a press conference in Ibadan on Monday, the United Ibadan North Federal Constituency Aspirants Forum accused the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, of imposing Adewale Olatunji Murphy as the party’s candidate, overriding their widely supported choice, Hon. Khalil Mustapha Repete.
Waheed Aderounmu, speaking on behalf of the aspirants, alleged that the former APC National Working Committee, led by acting chairman Ali Bukar Dalori, colluded with Adelabu to select Murphy without conducting a primary election. He described the move as “unlawful and against party guidelines,” warning that it could undermine the party’s credibility in Oyo State.
“The National Working Committee and the Minister of Power have created a crisis in Oyo State by imposing Adewale Olatunji Murphy without conducting a primary election in line with party rules. This imposition is unacceptable,” Aderounmu said.
The forum maintained that Mustapha Repete emerged through a consensus process among aspirants and remains the preferred candidate to represent the people of Ibadan North Federal Constituency.
They issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the APC national leadership to address the crisis, insisting that if the party suffers defeat at the polls, responsibility should rest squarely on Minister Adelabu and the former NWC.
“The people of Ibadan North deserve a transparent process. If the APC loses this by-election, the blame lies with Adebayo Adelabu and the former NWC,” the group declared.
The aspirants also accused Adelabu of repeating what they described as undemocratic practices that prompted his defection from the APC in 2023, alleging that internal party democracy was once again being disregarded.
According to the forum, a planned solidarity rally was replaced with the press conference to ensure their grievances reached the presidency without escalating internal party divisions.
“We reject imposition in politics. We call on the national leadership to act immediately to prevent a repeat of history and to save the APC in Oyo State,” the statement concluded.
