Supporters of the All Progressives Congress in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State have appealed to the party’s leadership to uphold the outcome of the recent primary election by recognising Abiodun Gbolagade as its candidate for the Oluyole Federal Constituency.
The demand was made on Tuesday as party faithful and stakeholders from the constituency gathered at the APC secretariat in Oke Ado, Ibadan, for a peaceful demonstration.
Speaking during the protest, Gbolagade said his long standing commitment to the party had earned him the support of members, adding that he emerged victorious in the primary.
“The primary election for Oluyole Federal Constituency was conducted successfully, and I was declared winner with over 2,000 votes, while the incumbent, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, polled 36 votes.
“I want to urge the party leadership to strictly adhere to the results as announced, as this would strengthen unity and improve the APC’s chances in the 2027 general elections in the state,” he said.
Backing his position, retired civil servant Awo Adeleke urged the APC to issue Gbolagade the party’s ticket, insisting that he legitimately won the primary election.
Another protester, who declined to be identified, accused the sitting lawmaker of failing to maintain a relationship with party members over the years.
“For the past eight years, Sadipe has neglected us, party members. That is why we have pitched our tents with Gbolagade, who we believe can ensure victory for the party.
“We are here to appeal to the leadership of the Oyo APC to strictly follow the outcome of the primary election, which declared Gbolagade the winner, and not Sadipe.”
Receiving the protesters, the Oyo APC Chairman, Moses Adeyemo, urged them to remain peaceful and assured them that their concerns would be given attention.
He praised Gbolagade for his dedication to the party and said the leadership would carefully consider the issues raised in the interest of justice and party unity.
The protest followed the APC’s insistence on Monday that there had been no alteration to its list of candidates for the 2027 National Assembly elections.
In a statement, the party’s Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, said the names submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission were approved by the National Working Committee after the primary elections and had already been uploaded to the electoral body’s portal.
He also dismissed claims that the candidate list had been changed, describing reports circulating on social media as misleading and accusing some unsuccessful aspirants and their supporters of attempting to stir internal unrest.
Sadare reaffirmed that the candidates earlier announced for the three senatorial districts and the 14 House of Representatives seats in Oyo State, including Tolulope Akande-Sadipe for the Oluyole Federal Constituency, remain the party’s official nominees.