Stakeholders, executives, and supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State have rejected the outcome of the party’s May 22, 2026 governorship primary, insisting the declared result did not reflect the true wishes of members and demanding an immediate review and restoration of Chief Luqman Oyebisi Ilaka’s mandate.
The position was contained in a communiqué issued on Wednesday, and read by Architect Barshir Aremu Lawal, ADC leader in Saki West Local Government Area on behalf of stakeholders, party executives, youth leaders, women leaders, ward representatives, and supporters of the party across the 33 local government areas of the state.
The communique was addressed to the National Chairman, National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.
According to the stakeholders, after consultations across all 33 local government areas of the state, they “unanimously resolved to register our deep dissatisfaction and outright rejection of the results announced by the electoral committee.”
They said Chief Ilaka, a former Chief of Staff to Governor Seyi Makinde and the Ladilu of Oyo Kingdom from Ilaka Compound, Oyo East LGA, secured victory in 29 out of 33 LGAs. They said the claim is “not based on speculation but on verifiable facts that can be corroborated by Local Government Chairmen, Secretaries, Youth Leaders, Women Leaders, Ward Executives and leaders who participated in the process.”
The communiqué stated that the announced result “does not represent the genuine outcome of the gubernatorial primary election conducted in Oyo State” and is “inconsistent with the democratic principles, transparency, fairness, and internal party democracy which the ADC has consistently preached.”
The stakeholders warned that neglecting the “legitimate aspirations and votes of party members may undermine the confidence of the grassroots and weaken the party’s electoral fortunes in Oyo State” ahead of 2027.
They called on the national leadership to immediately review the outcome of the Oyo State gubernatorial primary, constitute an independent panel to investigate complaints from the exercise, Hear testimonies from party executives and stakeholders across affected LGAs.
They also urged the national leadership to uphold justice, fairness, and the supremacy of the party constitution and restore the mandate freely given to Chief Luqman Oyebisi Ilaka by the majority of members.
The group said it is “fully prepared to present evidence and witnesses before any Appeal Committee, Reconciliation Committee, or Investigative Panel constituted by the National Leadership.”
While rejecting the result, the stakeholders reaffirmed loyalty to the ADC, saying their position is “not driven by personal interest but by our commitment to justice, credibility, and the survival of our party in Oyo State.”
“A wrong left uncorrected today may create deeper divisions tomorrow, while justice delivered promptly will strengthen unity, confidence, and electoral success,” the communiqué added.
They urged the NWC and NEC to seize the “historic opportunity to demonstrate that the ADC is different from other political parties by standing firmly on the side of truth, justice, and democratic principles.”
