Pressure has mounted on the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as members and stakeholders from Oluyole Local Government called on the party leadership to recognise Hon. Abiodun Gbolagade as its candidate for the Oluyole Federal Constituency, following the outcome of the party’s primary election.
The demand was made on Tuesday during a peaceful protest at the APC State Secretariat in Oke Ado, Ibadan, where demonstrators insisted that Gbolagade emerged as the valid winner of the primary election and should be issued the party’s ticket for the House of Representatives election.
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Addressing journalists during the protest, the protesters, including Mr. Awo Adeleke, the Iyaloja of Olomi Market, a retired civil servant and other party stakeholders, said the primary election was conducted in line with the party’s guidelines and that its outcome should be respected.
One of the protesters said the demonstration was organised to appeal to the conscience of the party leadership and prevent any attempt to overturn the officially declared result.
“We are here to appeal to the leadership of the Oyo APC to strictly follow the outcome of the primary election, which declared Abiodun Gbolagade the winner, and not Hon. Akande-Sadipe. For the past eight years, Hon. Akande-Sadipe has neglected party members.
“That is why members have pitched their tents with Abiodun Gbolagade, who we believe can lead the party to victory,” the protester said.
The demonstrators argued that recognising the declared winner would strengthen internal democracy, promote unity within the party and boost members’ confidence in the electoral process.
Receiving the protesters, the Oyo APC Chairman, Dr. Moses Adeyemo, appealed to them to remain peaceful, assuring them that the party leadership would carefully consider their demands.
He said the issues raised would be reviewed and that the party would take the necessary steps to ensure peace, fairness and justice within its ranks.
Adeyemo described Gbolagade as a loyal and committed party member who had consistently contributed to the growth of the APC over the years, adding that he had “paid his dues” through years of dedication and service.
Speaking after the protest, Gbolagade said he had financed party activities in Oluyole Local Government for the past seven years as part of his commitment to strengthening the APC at the grassroots.
He maintained that the primary election for the Oluyole Federal Constituency was duly conducted and that he was declared the winner after polling more than 2,000 votes, while the incumbent member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, secured 36 votes.
He urged the party leadership to uphold the declared result, arguing that doing so would deepen internal democracy, preserve party unity and enhance the APC’s chances in the forthcoming general election.
Gbolagade expressed confidence that respecting the wishes of party members would strengthen the party’s electoral prospects and reaffirm its commitment to transparency and fairness.