By Adewale Raji
Has Hon. Idowu Oyewale defected? If he has, he may well feel justified, having experienced what he may consider unfair treatment by the APC leadership in both 2023 and again in 2026. It is difficult to fault such a decision when a junior was placed above him, particularly if Hon. Idowu chose to stand for integrity rather than compromise his principles.
The 2026 Congress, as widely alleged, appeared to be used to witch-hunt those who refused to be compromised—those who declined to fall in line with what many perceived as ulterior motives aimed at undermining what many consider the best representative Oluyole has ever had, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe. This followed earlier concerns reportedly expressed by some leaders who, at one point, were said to have criticised her focus on developmental projects—such as building schools, providing transformers, and facilitating road improvements—rather than prioritising personal or political interests.
Hon. Idowu Oyewale won the 2023 primaries, but the results were allegedly fraudulently swapped. He proceeded to court, but APC leadership reportedly appealed to him through Hon Akande-Sadipe to withdraw the case, assuring him that the swapped results and the broader irregularities surrounding the 2023 Congress in Oluyole would be addressed. These assurances, however, were never fulfilled.
Then came the 2026 Congress, where the consensus process in Oluyole was again described by many stakeholders as flawed, with a minority leadership allegedly imposing decisions while the majority of party members were left aggrieved. Even the sitting Representative was reportedly not carried along, despite efforts to bring the concerns to the attention of the state leadership. The will of the majority, many argue, was ignored. Instead, the Director-General of Hon. Sumbo Olugbemi’s 2023 campaign was foisted as Local Government Chairman, despite the majority’s preference for Hon. Idowu Oyewale.
It is widely believed among supporters that this outcome was influenced by inducements intended to demoralise the majority, particularly those who had stood firmly for their values, supported Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe at the polls in 2024, and refused to align with what they perceived as leadership interests that were hindering Oluyole’s progress. The majority, however, remained resolute in their commitment to the development and advancement of Oluyole.
Meanwhile, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, consistent with her reconciliatory approach within APC Oluyole, has reportedly made efforts to placate Hon. Idowu Oyewale, urging him not to abandon his over 41 years of membership in the party. Several emissaries were said to have been sent to him. His response, however, has reportedly been that he was previously asked to withdraw a court case he believed he would have won, for the sake of peace within the party—yet the promised peace, he argues, has not been achieved.
The majority of APC members, alongside many voters within the Oluyole communities, have reportedly vowed that if Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe is not on the ballot to represent Oluyole in 2027, they may choose to abstain from voting on Election Day. This sentiment, they say, stems from their experience over the years, having tested other representatives — including Hon. Olugbemi between 2015 and 2019 — whom they believe did not deliver comparable value or visible development to the constituency prior to the emergence of Hon. Akande-Sadipe.
According to many supporters, her tenure marked a turning point for Oluyole, with increased developmental projects and constituency engagement, which has since shaped expectations among party members and residents alike.
Adewale Raji writes from New Garage Area, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
