Six of 10 aspirants meet in Ibadan, pledge loyalty to Tinubu, call for justice and unity to reclaim state
In a significant show of unity and political resolve, six governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have issued a collective demand for direct primaries to select the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 governorship election. The aspirants warned that any form of imposition would be a betrayal of democracy and could cost the party a chance to reclaim the state.
The position was formalized in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of a high-stakes meeting held in Ibadan on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. The gathering, attended by six of the ten aspirants who have purchased and submitted their Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the APC National Secretariat, signals a growing internal push for transparency and grassroots engagement.
Those present at the meeting were:
- Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao
- Bar. AbdulHakeem Agbaje
- Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan
- Chief Adewale Kareem Kolapo
- Prince Musibau Asatola Asanke
- Dr. Usman Ololade Bakare
The communiqué, titled “Oyo APC Governorship Aspirants Demand Justice, Unity, Fair Path to 2027,” opened with a declaration of purpose. The aspirants said the meeting was convened “out of love for the APC and a burning desire to ensure that never again shall our house be divided to the point of losing the trust of our people.”
Reflecting on the party’s electoral defeats in Oyo State in 2019 and 2023, the aspirants attributed the losses not to weak ideology or policy failures, but to internal strife. “Those defeats were not because our ideals were weak. They were because of division, imposition, and injustice within our ranks,” the communiqué read.
“To avoid repeating that agony, we must now let probity, equity, and propriety guide every decision we make. Our people deserve better than a party that ignores its own pain and repeats its mistakes.”
The aspirants also used the platform to pledge “unwavering, unshakable loyalty” to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, commending his leadership amid the nation’s challenges. They prayed for his health and strength to “steer the ship of state even beyond 2027,” stating that they “stand firmly and proudly on his mandate.”
On the critical issue of candidate selection, the aspirants declared that whoever emerges through a credible and transparent process would receive their “full, collective, and heartfelt support.” However, they were unequivocal in their opposition to a predetermined outcome.
“The candidate must not be imposed upon us,” the communiqué stated. “Imposition is a betrayal of democracy, and we reject it totally, completely, and without compromise.”
While affirming that they are not opposed to the idea of a consensus candidate, the aspirants cautioned against its misuse. “Consensus must not become a cover for exclusion or manipulation. The process must be transparent, free, fair, and clean.”
The forum condemned the pervasive use of cash and material inducements to sway party decisions, warning that such practices corrupt the democratic process. “When money speaks louder than merit, the party bleeds and the people suffer,” they said.
In a strategic shift, the aspirants resolved to prioritize ward-level mobilization, listening tours, and issue-based campaigns over “elite bargaining.” They argued that winning Oyo State in 2027 depends on genuine connections with voters across all zones, including Ibadan, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Oke-Ogun, and Ibarapa.
“A party that is alive at the grassroots does not need to fear the outcome of a free contest, especially if the right candidate of public acceptance is fielded on merit and not on demerit through reliance on wealth to seduce voters’ will,” the communiqué said. “This did not work in the past and is not going to work tomorrow in Oyo State. We do not want to forfeit 2027.”
The aspirants urged both state and national party leadership to initiate a “genuine reconciliation process” that reaches aggrieved members at the ward and local government levels before the primaries. They also called on all aspirants, supporters, and officials to exercise restraint, ending “media warfare, personal attacks, and factional branding.”
“Without internal peace, APC cannot present a credible challenge in 2027,” they warned. “Peace is not weakness; it is the foundation upon which victory is built.”
The communiqué concluded with an appeal to elders and stakeholders to make peace, justice, and unity non-negotiable principles. “The people of Oyo are waiting for a party that offers order, competence, and inclusivity. If we provide it, they will respond. If we fail, history will record that we failed ourselves.”
The Oyo APC governorship primary is scheduled for May 23, 2026. This unified stand from a significant bloc of aspirants places considerable pressure on the party’s leadership to deliver a transparent and inclusive process, as the party seeks to end its losing streak in the state.