By Oluwakayode Banjo
Five out of the Governorship Aspirants under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, have called on the National Working Committee of the party to conduct a thorough review of the House of Representatives primary election conducted over the weekend.
The Aspirants, who include a Former Deputy Governor of the State, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, Mr Hakeem Alao, Prince Musbau Asanike, Mr Akeem Agbaje and Dr Usman Bakare, made the call at a news conference held at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
Reading a communique on behalf of the aspirants, Mr Hakeem Alao lamented that the manner the party’s primaries have been conducted so far in the state was not in line with the APC’s constitution and the Electoral act.
Mr Alao urged the National Leadership of the party to urgently intervene and address all grievances arising from the exercise.
“The manner in which these primaries were conducted is antithetical to the spirit of the Electoral Act and the APC Constitution. These instruments enshrine fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all aspirants. Imposition and intimidation cannot substitute for democratic participation.”
Also speaking, the Former Deputy Governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan maintained that the underlisted aspirants were not against consensus or any other arrangements, but all stakeholders and members should be carried along to ensure fairness.
“We affirm that we are not opposed to transparent consensus primary. On the contrary, consensus remains our preferred option because it provides the most credible path for the emergence of the best candidate. It is a mechanism that reflects the collective will of party members when properly conducted. Whatever Asiwaju Bola Tinubu says is binding as National leader. As loyal members of the APC, we hold that the voice of our leader and President is final in matters of party direction. Whoever he picks, after due consultation and consideration with leaders and stakeholders across the state, will be our resolve. We will abide by it without reservation.”
Mr Olaniyan appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct the APC leadership in the state to uphold democratic principles and ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants.
“We urge Mr. President, as the national leader of our party, to compel the National leadership and the Oyo State APC leadership to conduct free, fair and credible primaries in line with his well-known democratic credentials.”
Mr Olaniyan added that the priority of the 5 aspirants was the overall success of the party in the state and reaffirmed their commitment to the APC and its ideals.
Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi
