*Governorship aspirant debunks claims of imposition directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
With less than two weeks to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Oyo State, a leading aspirant, Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao, popularly known as Allow-Alao, has thrown his weight behind both consensus and direct primaries as legitimate methods for selecting the party’s candidate—provided the process is transparent, fair, and driven by the collective interest of the party rather than individual ambition.
Alao made his position clear on Thursday during an appearance on the widely followed political program “Okodoro Oro” on Lagelu 96.7 FM, a platform known for hosting frank discussions on Oyo State politics. The appearance came amid growing tension within the Oyo APC, where factions have clashed over the preferred mode of the primary scheduled for May 23, 2026.
Speaking in Yoruba and English, the engineer-turned-politician argued that consensus should not be dismissed outright, as it can serve as a powerful tool for unity when party leaders and stakeholders are genuinely committed to the common good.
“When leaders are concerned about development, consensus becomes the best option to promote unity and love within the party,” Alao said. “It reduces friction, saves resources, and allows the party to focus on the main election. But where consensus fails—where there is no genuine agreement or where some aspirants feel sidelined—then direct primary is the next option. It allows every aspirant to test their grassroots strength and popularity. That is true democracy.”
His remarks appeared aimed at calming tensions between those who favor a consensus candidate—often seen as a way to avoid expensive and divisive primaries—and those who insist on a direct primary where all registered party members can vote.
Alao also took time to firmly kicked against unpopular endorsement by some Oyo APC leaders in attempting to impose a preferred aspirant on the party, using purported directives from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as justification. The endorsement has been active in recent weeks, with some party insiders alleging that a “favored aspirant” was being groomed in Abuja.
“I have watched and heard these insinuations, and I want to state clearly: President Tinubu has never, at any point, directed anyone to impose a candidate in Oyo State. He is a democrat. He believes in internal democracy and fairness within the party,” Alao said. “Anyone who claims otherwise is either misinformed or spreading falsehoods to cause confusion.”
Alao’s defense of the President is significant, given Tinubu’s influence in South-West politics and his role as a national leader of the APC. By publicly aligning with the President’s stated commitment to democratic processes, Alao sought to both reassure party members and distance himself from the imposition narrative.
In a rare move for an opposition aspirant, Alao reserved direct criticism of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration, instead offering measured praise. He noted that the governor had responded positively to some of his constructive suggestions, particularly in the areas of road construction and health services.
“The governor has been responding positively to my constructive criticisms in the area of road construction and health services in the state,” Alao said. “I have pointed out areas that needed attention, and to his credit, he has acted. That is what leadership should be about—listening and delivering.”
By acknowledging Makinde’s prompt response to his administration’s lapses, Engr. Alao positions himself as a unifying figure who can build on progress rather than simply attack the incumbent.
Reflecting on the political history of the South-West, Alao offered a broader analysis of the region’s trajectory. He said the disruption of the Alliance for Democracy’s (AD) dominance during the second term of former President Olusegun Obasanjo marked a turning point that slowed the region’s progress.
“The truncating of AD’s dominance in the South-West during President Obasanjo’s second term has been a major impediment to development. The progress we had then cannot be compared to what we are experiencing now,” he stated.
Alao’s reference to the AD era—when the party controlled most South-West states under governors like Bola Tinubu (Lagos), Segun Osoba (Ogun), and Adeniyi Adebayo (Ekiti)—is a nod to older voters who remember that period as one of relative stability and development. By drawing this contrast, Alao suggests that the APC must learn from history to avoid repeating the mistakes that led to the AD’s collapse.
In his concluding remarks, Alao made a direct appeal to the Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Dr. Michael Adeyemo Alake, urging him to deploy his extensive political experience to unite the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“I call on our state chairman to use all his political sagacity acquired over the years to put the party in order and save it from total oblivion,” Alao said. “The party is bigger than any individual. We must all work together to ensure that we present a united front. If we fail to do so, we will be handing victory to the opposition on a platter.”
His words underscore the fragility of the Oyo APC, which has struggled with internal divisions since losing the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections to Makinde. The primary on May 23 is seen as a crucial test of the party’s ability to organize, reconcile, and select a candidate capable of unseating the incumbent.