A group of All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Old Irepo Federal Constituency of Oyo State has rejected the emergence of Hon. Bosun Oladele as the partyโs House of Representatives candidate, describing him as โthe wrong candidateโ and calling on the party leadership to conduct a fresh primary.
In a statement issued by the Concerned Igbeti APC Youths, the group said the direction of the primary election held for the constituency had left many party members with โserious concernsโ about the APCโs chances in 2027.
โIt is the general sentiment among party members that Hon. Bosun Oladele is the wrong candidate for our constituency at this time,โ the statement read. โHis pronouncement as the preferred candidate by party directive caused people to boycott the primary election.โ
The group claimed that dissatisfaction was widespread across Irepo, Oorelope, and Olorunsogo local government areas, with members openly saying, โIf it is Bosun Oladele, we are ready to spoil the party.โ
According to the statement, Hon. Badmos Bashir Adeola was the preferred candidate among the grassroots up until midnight on 16th May 2026. The group described Adeola as โthe man of the peopleโ who has worked with the party for a long time, mobilizing youths, elders, and party faithful through people-oriented programs.
โHe has the structure, the acceptance, and the capacity to mobilize people for APC,โ the statement said. โHis name alone inspires confidence among our youths, elders, and party faithful.โ
The Concerned Igbeti APC Youths warned that failure to field Adeola could cost the party the seat. They alleged that the opposition was already celebrating, believing the APC had chosen a candidate who could not carry the people along.
โThe opposition is already jubilating because they believe APC has chosen a candidate who cannot carry the people along and it is a good chance for them to win at the constituency with convenience,โ the group said.
The group stressed that their agitation was not borne out of personal animosity but out of concern for the partyโs future in the constituency. They accused the party of imposing a candidate rejected by the majority and urged the state and national leadership to review the decision.
โWe appeal to the party to listen to the voice of the majority at the grassroots. By re-conducting the primary with close monitoring and fairness, see the actual result than this self-writing and self-accorded winner of Hon. Bosun Oladele,โ the statement added.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC but insisted that loyalty must be matched with fairness. They called for the primary to be reviewed before it was too late, arguing that the will of the people must prevail if the party hopes to retain Old Irepo Federal Constituency.
โWe remain loyal to APC. But loyalty must be met with fairness. Give us a candidate that people believe in, and victory will be sure. Deny us that, and we risk losing what we have worked for over the years,โ the group concluded.
