APC crisis deepens in Oyo as members protest alleged candidate imposition

By Adeola Badru

On Thursday, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oluyole Federal Constituency, Oyo State, staged a protest against what they described as the forced nomination of a candidate ahead of the upcoming House of Representatives primary election.

The demonstrators converged on the APC state secretariat in Oke Ado, Ibadan, in large numbers to formally express their discontent with the situation.

They accused certain state party leaders of attempting to impose the incumbent House of Representatives member, Tolulope Akande‑Sadipe, despite claiming that she has “disdain and hatred” for the people of the constituency.

During the protest, several participants told reporters that the people of Oluyole Federal Constituency had unanimously chosen Gbolagade Abiodun as their preferred candidate, citing his long-standing support for the area, even when Sadipe allegedly abandoned it.

The protesters were surprised by reports that Sadipe, whom they said is no longer known to the local population and has allegedly neglected both the constituency and her legislative duties, has been selected by a handful of influential party leaders in the state, without taking into account the wishes of the majority of APC members in the area.

While reaffirming their loyalty to the party leadership, the demonstrators insisted that they would only support a candidate chosen by the people, not one allegedly hand‑picked by political interests in Abuja.

They further argued that all aspirants should be allowed to participate in a transparent and democratic electoral process, emphasizing that the contest should not be treated as a “do‑or‑die affair.”

“We will all accept the result of a free, fair, and credible election, but not that of an individual,” one protester said.

Placards carried by the demonstrators bore various slogans, urging the party leadership to uphold internal democracy and respect the collective will of party members and constituents in Oluyole Federal Constituency.

The post Video: APC crisis deepens in Oyo as members protest alleged imposition of candidate appeared first on Vanguard News.