Stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress in Osun State have called on party leaders to ensure that the selection of senatorial candidates for the 2027 general election follows due process. This appeal was made during a meeting held in Iwo on Thursday, convened by APC leaders from the Osun West Senatorial District.
AbdulGafar Akintayo Amere, a former House of Representatives member who represented the Iwo/Ayedire/Ọla-Oluwa Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2019, voiced his concerns over what he described as attempts to force a candidate on the party without adhering to democratic principles. He stated that initially, party leaders informed aspirants that only one nomination form would be procured to designate a consensus candidate. However, this decision was later reversed, and all aspirants were subsequently instructed to purchase their own forms after consultations with the party secretary and other key stakeholders.
“During the meeting, we were asked to share our views on the candidate allegedly handpicked by the leaders. I made it clear that the approach was unjust. At first, they insisted that a single form would suffice for their preferred candidate, but later they contacted us and advised everyone to obtain forms. We verified this directive with the party secretary and other leaders before proceeding,” Amere explained.
He emphasized that there was no provision for a consensus arrangement, noting that the National Working Committee of the APC had already mandated that all senatorial aspirants must participate in the primary election scheduled for Monday. “The national leadership reaffirmed yesterday that all senatorial candidates must go through the primary election. There is no such thing as a consensus candidate. We will comply with the NWC’s directive because it takes precedence over any decision made at the state level or elsewhere,” he added.
Amere also highlighted that similar situations were reportedly unfolding in other senatorial districts across the state, and he urged fellow aspirants to resist any attempt to deny them a fair contest.
Another aspirant, Peter Taiwo, who also spoke at the gathering, said the meeting was organized by APC leaders to discuss the adoption of a preferred candidate. According to him, many aspirants rejected the proposal, insisting that the Electoral Act and party guidelines require the consent of all contestants before a consensus candidate can emerge. “We made it clear to the leaders that we are not satisfied with the arrangement. By law, all aspirants must willingly agree before a consensus candidate can be adopted. Once any contestant objects, the party must conduct a primary election,” Taiwo stated.
He further revealed that since most aspirants opposed the leaders’ decision, preparations for the direct primary election on Monday were already underway, in line with the NWC’s directive.