Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan North-West and Ibadan South-West Federal Constituencies have cautioned the party’s national leadership against imposing candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying such a move could cost the party victory at the polls.
The position was made known during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, Iyaganku, in Ibadan.
Speaking on behalf of the Apex Leaders Council of the constituencies, party chieftain Wale Owu read a letter addressed to the party’s National Chairman, calling for the adoption of direct primaries to allow all members participate in the selection of candidates.
The leaders warned that any attempt to sideline party members through imposition could weaken the APC’s chances in future elections, drawing attention to past electoral outcomes in the area.
They cited the defeats suffered by the party in the 2019 and 2023 elections, when its candidate, Saheed Fijabi, lost to Dhikrulahi Olajide of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The stakeholders also referenced a by-election in Ibadan North Federal Constituency, where alleged imposition of a candidate reportedly led to internal disagreements and eventual defeat.
They further urged the party leadership to comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, which outlines procedures for candidate emergence through either direct primaries or consensus, cautioning that the consensus option should not be used to sidestep due process.
