Alleged bid to install Oyetola’s son rocks Osun APC primaries

Fresh details have continued to emerge from the controversial primary election of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, with party insiders alleging that an earlier plot to impose Olufemi Oyetola, son of former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, as candidate for the Osun Central Senatorial District reportedly collapsed after resistance from influential party leaders and elders.

The primary, which has continued to generate controversy across Osun APC, was described by several members as heavily manipulated and allegedly designed from the outset to favour certain preferred interests within the party hierarchy.

According to reports circulating within APC circles, the alleged arrangement was expected to produce Femi Oyetola as consensus candidate for the senatorial district before opposition reportedly emerged from senior stakeholders who insisted that the party must respect earlier political understandings and presidential directives concerning returning lawmakers and defectors.

Sources within the party claimed that the minister allegedly reached out to prominent elders believed to wield influence within the APC structure, in a bid to secure support for his son’s emergence.

However, the elders were reportedly said to have resisted the move and allegedly reminded party leaders that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that lawmakers and political defectors who joined the APC should be accommodated with return tickets.

An APC chieftain in Osogbo, who spoke anonymously, alleged that the resistance from elders frustrated the original plan.

“Many leaders felt it would create serious problems if the party abandoned people who had already been promised protection politically just to satisfy personal ambition,” the source said.

Read also: Tinubu secures APC ticket with over 10.9m votes in nationwide primary

“The feeling was that the party could not be preaching unity publicly while allegedly plotting imposition privately.”

Following the reported collapse of the alleged arrangement, tensions were said to have intensified within the APC, with accusations that forces loyal to the minister then shifted support toward another aspirant, Adegoke Rasheed, popularly known as KRAD.

Party insiders alleged that the minister met members of the Abuja primary committee shortly after their arrival in Osun, where support was allegedly redirected toward KRAD following the withdrawal of Femi Oyetola from the race.

Although no official confirmation of such meetings has been made public, the allegations have continued to fuel speculation and deepen mistrust among party faithful.

Another APC member in Olorunda alleged that the events surrounding the primary exposed deeper internal divisions within the Osun APC.

“What happened was beyond ordinary politics,” the source claimed.

“Many people allegedly saw a desperate attempt to control the structure ahead of future elections. When the first plan reportedly failed, another strategy emerged immediately.”

Public reports had earlier confirmed that Olufemi Oyetola eventually withdrew from the race, citing consultations and interventions by party leaders in the interest of unity within the APC.

However, many members have continued to question the circumstances surrounding both his withdrawal and the eventual outcome of the primary.

A youth leader within the APC in Osogbo alleged that the entire process has left many loyal members disillusioned.

“People are angry because they believe the process was manipulated from beginning to end,” he said.

“Party members want to vote freely, not to have candidates imposed from above.”

The controversy has also revived concerns over imposition, selective treatment and growing factional supremacy battles within the Osun APC ahead of future governorship and general elections.

Another party stalwart warned that failure to manage the crisis carefully could weaken party cohesion across Osun Central and beyond.

“There is already suspicion everywhere,” the source said.

“Many supporters feel the interests of a few powerful individuals are beginning to override the wishes of ordinary party members. If this continues, it could create serious cracks within the APC before 2027.”

The post Alleged bid to install Oyetola’s son rocks Osun APC primaries appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.