Osun APC primary: Stakeholders caution against imposition of candidates 

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State have been urged to adhere strictly to due process in selecting the party’s senatorial candidates for the 2027 general election.

The call was made by AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere, a Senatorial aspirant from Osun West Senatorial District during a meeting convened by APC leaders across the senatorial district in Iwo on Thursday.

Amere, who represented the Iwo/Ayedire/Ọla-Oluwa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019, expressed dissatisfaction over alleged attempts to impose a candidate without following the appropriate democratic procedures.

According to him, “party leaders initially informed the aspirants that only one nomination form would be purchased for a consensus candidate. However, the decision was later reversed, with all aspirants subsequently directed to obtain nomination forms after consultations with the party secretary and other party stakeholders.

“We were invited to the meeting and asked to share our opinions on the candidate allegedly chosen by the leaders. I told them the process was unfair. Initially, they insisted that only one form would be obtained for the preferred candidate, but later contacted us and advised everyone to purchase forms. We confirmed this directive with the party secretary and other leaders before proceeding.” 

He maintained that there was no provision for a consensus arrangement added that the National Working Committee, NWC, of the APC had already directed that all senatorial aspirants should participate in the primary election scheduled for Monday.

“Yesterday, the national leadership of our party reaffirmed that all senatorial candidates must go through the primary election. There is nothing like a consensus candidate. We will abide by the directive of the National Working Committee because it supersedes any decision taken at the state level or elsewhere,” he added.

He also noted that similar situations were reportedly playing out in other senatorial districts within the state and he urged other aspirants to resist any attempt to deny them a fair contest.

Also speaking at the meeting, another aspirant, Peter Taiwo, said the gathering was convened by APC leaders in Osun West Senatorial District to discuss the adoption of a preferred candidate.

According to him, “many of the aspirants rejected the proposal, insisting that the Electoral Act and party guidelines require the consent of all contestants before a consensus candidate can emerge.

“We made it clear to the leaders that we are not satisfied with the arrangement. By law, all aspirants must willingly agree before a consensus candidate can be adopted. Once any contestant objects, the party must conduct a primary election.” 

He added that since most of the aspirants were opposed to the decision of the leaders, preparations had already begun for the direct primary election scheduled for Monday, in line with the directive of the party’s National Working Committee.

Osun APC primary: Stakeholders caution against imposition of candidates