...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
Connect with us on Linkedin (Click Here)
SAKI, Oyo State – A wave of dissent is sweeping through the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Old Ifedapo Federal Constituency as party members from Saki East, Saki West, and Atisbo Local Government Areas reject the outcome of the recently conducted House of Representatives primary election, alleging imposition and demanding a fresh, transparent exercise.
In a strongly worded statement issued by concerned party faithful and grassroots stakeholders, the aggrieved members described the emergence of Hon. Tajudeen Abisodun Kareem as the party’s candidate as a product of a flawed process that sidelined the will of the majority and violated the principles of internal democracy.
The group insists that the primary failed to reflect the genuine wishes of APC members on the ground, warning that the party risks entering the 2027 general elections fractured and weakened if the issue is not addressed urgently.
According to the statement, the primary election was marred by a lack of transparency, fairness, and adherence to due process. The stakeholders argued that the exercise was predetermined to favour the incumbent, undermining the confidence of loyal party members who have worked to sustain the APC in the constituency.
“This time, the people can no longer accept a situation where their voices are ignored in determining who represents them. The same backdoor arrangement witnessed in previous election cycles was repeated despite earlier appeals for a level playing field,” the statement read.
The group maintained that internal democracy is the bedrock of the APC and that any deviation from it betrays the party’s founding ideals and risks alienating the grassroots base that has kept the party competitive in Old Ifedapo.
A central point of contention is Hon. Kareem’s bid for a fourth term in the House of Representatives. The aggrieved members contend that despite his prolonged stay in office, the constituency has seen little evidence of tangible development or effective representation.
They cited the absence of significant road rehabilitation, borehole projects, empowerment schemes, youth engagement programs, and impactful legislative interventions as evidence of what they called “representation without results.”
“For years, our people have waited for dividends of democracy. What we have received instead is silence, stagnation, and recycled promises. The constituency cannot afford another term of stagnation,” the stakeholders stated.
They further argued that retaining a candidate with a weak record of delivery undermines the APC’s chances of consolidating its support base and appealing to undecided voters ahead of 2027.
The group warned that failure by the state and national leadership of the APC to intervene could have serious electoral consequences for the party in Saki East, Saki West, and Atisbo. They stressed that the growing frustration among members could translate into voter apathy or a shift in allegiance if the matter is not resolved transparently.
“Our loyalty to the APC remains unshaken. Our commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is unwavering. But loyalty must not be mistaken for silence in the face of injustice. A party that ignores its base cannot expect to win their votes,” the statement warned.
Reaffirming their allegiance to the APC, the stakeholders called on the party’s leadership to immediately cancel the disputed primary and conduct a fresh exercise that guarantees fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all aspirants.
“Our position remains clear and democratic; let the people freely decide their preferred candidate. Only a credible, acceptable, and widely supported candidate can unite the party and guarantee victory for the APC in Old Ifedapo Federal Constituency,” they concluded.
The demand for a fresh primary adds to the growing list of intra-party disputes across Oyo State as the APC navigates candidate selection ahead of the 2027 elections. Political observers say how the party handles the Old Ifedapo situation will test its commitment to internal democracy and its readiness to retain key constituencies.
...To get all news updates, Join our WhatsApp Group (Click Here)
Connect with us on Linkedin (Click Here)
