The leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has called for restraint among members following protests that trailed the party’s House of Representatives primary elections in several constituencies.
The appeal came after aggrieved party loyalists in Ayedaade, Obokun/Ori-Ade, and Ila federal constituencies rejected the outcomes of the primaries, alleging irregularities and imposition of candidates.
In Ayedaade Federal Constituency, multiple aspirants, including former lawmaker Taiwo Oluga, were in contention before the exercise was reportedly disrupted in parts of the constituency.
Supporters of other aspirants alleged that despite the disruption in areas such as Gbongan and Ode-Omu, results were later announced in favour of Oluga, prompting protests captured in widely circulated videos.
Similarly, tensions were recorded in Ijesa North (Obokun/Oriade) Federal Constituency, where loyalists questioned the credibility of the process involving incumbent lawmaker Wole Oke.
Protesters at the collation centre alleged that the process was manipulated against another aspirant, Desmond Ojumu and claimed the outcome favoured the incumbent due to his role in the party’s 2026 governorship campaign structure.
In Ila Federal Constituency, disagreement followed the emergence of Adebisi Obawale as the party’s candidate, with his co-contender, Adeniyi Ismail Oluwatosin, rejecting the result.
Oluwatosin stated that he was pressured to withdraw from the race, while a support group under the banner of AIO’s Women also alleged that Obawale’s candidacy was imposed by party leaders.
Amid the disputes, a contrasting development was recorded in Ijesa South Federal Constituency, where consensus was reached in favour of incumbent lawmaker Sanya Omirin.
Other aspirants in the constituency stepped down voluntarily, citing party unity and urging supporters to work towards victory in the forthcoming elections.
Meanwhile, results in several constituencies, including Osogbo and others where contests were held, remained pending as the primary election committee had yet to make official announcements.
Reacting to the situation, the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, urged members to “remain calm and avoid actions capable of undermining party cohesion.
“For the mere fact that any election is a competition for interests and opportunities… there seems to be unease at any period of elections worldwide.”
He added, “It wouldn’t augur well for any member of our party to engage in talking down the party or its leaders because of their inability to emerge victorious during the primary elections.”
