A faction within Nigeria’s governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has attributed the party’s defeat in a recent parliamentary by-election to internal divisions and accusations of high-handed leadership. The Concerned Leaders, a group within the state APC, claimed the loss in Ibadan North Federal Constituency stemmed from the alleged imposition of an unpopular candidate by Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, deepening rifts within the party.
In a statement released Sunday and shared with local media, the group’s chairman, Tejumola Adisa, accused Adelabu of unilaterally selecting Adewale Haastrup Olatunji as the APC’s candidate for the election, sidelining other contenders. Olatunji, they said, faced widespread rejection by voters, leading to his defeat in all 12 wards of the constituency. Official results showed the candidate securing only six votes in his own polling unit, while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Folajimi Sunday Oyekunle emerged victorious.
The group alleged Adelabu’s decision-making lacked consultation and favored allies from the Accord Party, his former political platform during the 2023 gubernatorial race. They claimed he allocated three key state appointments to Accord members despite their current affiliation with the APC, further alienating loyalists. “The Minister’s arrogance and disregard for party members have eroded trust,” Adisa stated. “His actions not only cost us this election but risk harming President Tinubu’s administration if unchecked.”
The statement emphasized frustration over perceived mismanagement, citing the selection of a candidate viewed as less qualified over more popular aspirants who had formally applied for the party’s nomination. Analysts suggest the outcome reflects broader discontent with candidate selection processes in Nigeria’s political parties, where leaders often prioritize loyalty over electability.
While the APC has yet to officially respond to the allegations, the public rebuke signals mounting tensions within the party’s Oyo State chapter. The defeat in a traditional stronghold raises questions about the APC’s cohesion ahead of future elections, particularly as internal critics push for accountability. The Minister’s office has not commented on the claims, leaving unresolved questions about the balance of power within the party’s state leadership.
The by-election’s outcome underscores challenges facing Nigeria’s ruling party in maintaining unity amid competing interests, with implications for its appeal ahead of the 2027 general elections. For now, the APC’s Concerned Leaders have positioned their critique as a cautionary call to prevent further losses—and to shield the party, and the presidency, from what they describe as self-inflicted decline.
