Tensions within Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State escalated on Monday as a coalition of party aspirants rejected the leadership’s selection of Adewale Olatunji as its candidate for an upcoming parliamentary bye-election. The aspirants, represented by the United Ibadan North Federal Constituency Aspirants Forum, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) to reverse the decision, alleging a breach of democratic processes.
The by-election, set for August 16, 2025, was prompted by the death of the constituency’s former representative, Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi, an APC member who passed away in July 2023 after securing a second term. The party’s recent announcement of Olatunji as its candidate, made without a primary election, triggered backlash from rival aspirants. At a press conference in Ibadan, the state capital, spokesperson Saheed Aderounmu condemned the move as “a gross violation of democratic principles,” arguing that sidelining a competitive selection process undermines public trust.
“The people of Ibadan North deserve a fair and transparent process,” Aderounmu stated, flanked by fellow aspirants at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat. He warned that insisting on Olatunji’s candidacy would be “counterproductive,” urging the NWC, Nigeria’s presidency, and other stakeholders to intervene. The group emphasized that the alleged imposition contravenes APC’s internal guidelines, which mandate open primaries for candidate selection.
While the APC has yet to publicly respond to the demands, the dispute highlights recurring tensions within Nigerian political parties over candidate selection. Critics argue that favoritism and lack of transparency in nominations often fuel intra-party conflicts, potentially weakening electoral prospects. The Ibadan North seat, a strategic stronghold, is seen as a test of the APC’s cohesion ahead of broader elections.
The 48-hour deadline raises stakes for the APC’s national leadership, which faces pressure to balance internal governance with commitments to democratic norms. Should negotiations falter, the rift could deepen factionalism in Oyo State, where the APC seeks to regain influence after losing the governorship in 2023. For now, all eyes remain on Abuja, where party officials must weigh the costs of disregarding dissent in a contest demanding unity.
