Osun APC urged to respect due process in senatorial primaries
Osun State leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been called on to follow established party procedures in the selection of senatorial candidates, after a meeting of aspirants in Iwo highlighted alleged attempts to impose a “consensus” candidate.
The appeal came from Abdul‑Gafar Akintayo Amere, who served as the representative for Iwo/Ayedire/Ọla‑Oluwa in the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2019. Speaking to a gathering convened by APC officials from the state’s western senatorial district, Amere said he and other aspirants were first told that only one nomination form would be purchased for a pre‑selected candidate. He added that the directive was later reversed, with party officials instructing all aspirants to obtain forms after consultation with the party secretary and other stakeholders.
“We were invited to the meeting and asked to comment on the candidate allegedly chosen by the leaders. I told them the process was unfair. Initially they insisted only one form would be bought for the preferred candidate, but later they advised everyone to purchase forms,” Amere said. He confirmed the revised instruction with the party secretary before proceeding.
Amere noted that the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) has already stipulated that every senatorial aspirant must contest the primary scheduled for Monday, leaving no room for a consensus arrangement. “The national leadership reaffirmed that all senatorial candidates must go through the primary election. There is nothing like a consensus candidate. We will abide by the NWC directive because it supersedes any decision taken at the state level,” he added.
Peter Taiwo, another aspirant from the same district, echoed the concerns. He said the meeting was organized to discuss the adoption of a preferred candidate, a proposal rejected by most aspirants. “The Electoral Act and party guidelines require the consent of all contestants before a consensus candidate can emerge. Once any contestant objects, the party must conduct a primary election,” Taiwo explained. He confirmed that preparations are under way for the direct primary on Monday, in line with the NWC’s instructions.
The grievances expressed in Iwo reflect broader tensions within the Osun APC, where similar reports of forced consensus candidacies have surfaced in other senatorial districts. Aspirants have called for transparency and adherence to the party’s internal democratic mechanisms, warning against any maneuver that could disenfranchise legitimate contenders.
The upcoming primaries will test the party’s commitment to internal democracy ahead of the next general election. Observers note that the outcome could influence the APC’s cohesion in Osun State and its competitiveness in future national contests. The party’s national leadership is expected to monitor the process closely and intervene if procedural breaches are identified.
