Ibadan North Crisis: APC Aspirants Issue 48-Hour Ultimatum, Blame Adelabu, Dalori Over Imposed Candidate
A group of as
pirants for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket in the upcoming Ibadan North Federal Constituency bye-election has raised an alarm over what they described as the unlawful imposition of a candidate by top party leaders. They warned that should the party lose the election to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the blame should fall squarely on the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, and the former Acting National Chairman of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), Bukar Dalori.
The aggrieved aspirants expressed their dissatisfaction during a press briefing held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where they jointly rejected the imposition of Adewale Olatunji, popularly known as ‘Murphy’, as the party’s candidate. They insist that the selection process was undemocratic and a complete violation of the party’s constitution.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Aderounmu Saheed, a former aide to late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, decried the manner in which Olatunji was handpicked without any recourse to primary elections or internal party consultations. He described the development as a “clear affront to democratic norms and party guidelines.”
According to Aderounmu, the NWC under Bukar Dalori, in connivance with Minister Adelabu, bypassed due process and unilaterally announced Olatunji as the party’s flagbearer. “This imposition is reckless and capable of destroying the APC’s chances in the constituency and even beyond,” he warned.
The aspirants maintain that they had earlier agreed through a consensus arrangement to present Hon. Khalil Mustapha Repete, a former Deputy National Youth Leader of the APC, as the party’s candidate. They say Repete emerged through a transparent, inclusive, and unanimous decision by the local stakeholders.
“We unanimously endorsed Hon. Repete because he commands grassroots support, has a track record of service, and has always shown commitment to the values of the APC. Imposing another candidate behind closed doors is not only unjust but politically suicidal,” Aderounmu said.
They further called on Chief Adebayo Adelabu to publicly dissociate himself from the alleged manipulation or accept responsibility for the consequences. “We urge Chief Adelabu to clear his name. If this illegality continues, the resulting backlash in the polls will be his to own,” he added.
The group issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the national leadership of the APC to address what they called a looming crisis by substituting the imposed candidate with Hon. Repete. Failure to act, they warned, could lead to irreversible political damage for the party in the constituency.
“The people of Ibadan North deserve better. We cannot preach internal democracy and practice authoritarianism. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu himself submitted to party primaries; why should our local leaders act differently?” the aspirants queried.
They insisted that if the current arrangement is allowed to stand, the APC risks a disastrous outing in the bye-election. “When the PDP wins—and they will if we go to the poll divided—then the likes of Adelabu and Dalori should be held accountable,” Aderounmu emphasized.
Hon. Olusegun Olaleye, a former lawmaker and another aspirant, also lent his voice to the agitation. He said their struggle is not driven by personal interests but by the need to protect the integrity of the electoral process and ensure the survival of the APC in Oyo State.
“We have nothing against Adelabu or Dalori on a personal level. But we strongly object to a flawed process that disregards the tenets of democracy. We are not rebels; we are party loyalists who want the best for our constituency,” Olaleye explained.
The group reiterated that they would not be intimidated or silenced, stressing that the imposition violates both the spirit and letter of the Electoral Act, APC constitution, and Nigeria’s democratic principles.
They called on Governor Mai Mala Buni, National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and other party elders to urgently wade into the matter and halt what they described as a “calculated attempt to destroy APC’s electoral fortune in Ibadan North.”
According to the aggrieved aspirants, resolving the issue in a fair and transparent manner would help restore public confidence in the party and enhance unity ahead of the bye-election.
They expressed hope that their concerns would be taken seriously and addressed before the situation spirals out of control. “We are for peace, but we will not fold our arms while injustice is perpetrated under the guise of party supremacy,” they stated.
The group concluded by reaffirming their loyalty to the APC but demanded immediate redress of the alleged injustice. “We want a reconciliatory process that is inclusive, fair, and respectful of all members. APC must lead by example and show that it is indeed a party of the people,” they said.
As the countdown to the bye-election continues, the APC in Oyo State appears to be facing a defining moment that may determine its strength or weakness ahead of future contests in the state.