A coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants who sought the party’s House of Representatives tickets across federal constituencies in Oyo State has called on the national leadership to review the recently concluded candidate-selection process.

The aspirants alleged that the exercise did not provide affected contestants with the transparent and competitive primaries they expected.

The group, under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned APC House of Representatives Aspirants in Oyo State, made the demand in a communique titled “On the Conduct of the Party Candidate Selection Process and the Imperative of Genuine Reconciliation Ahead of the 2027 General Elections.”

The communique carries the themes: “Loyalty, Justice, Inclusion, Unity.”

The coalition said its decision to speak collectively followed consultations among the aspirants, their supporters and other party stakeholders.

It said the intervention was motivated by its commitment to the APC, respect for the party’s constitution and democratic principles, and the desire to see the party approach the 2027 general elections as a united organisation.

At the centre of the coalition’s complaint is the manner in which APC candidates for the House of Representatives were selected across Oyo State.

The aspirants said they participated in the process with the expectation that credible, transparent and competitive primaries would be conducted in line with the APC constitution and guidelines.

According to them, however, primaries were not conducted in a manner that allowed aspirants and party members to exercise their democratic rights.

Instead, they said, names were selected and presented through what they described as a “unity list”.

While acknowledging the responsibility of party leaders to promote consensus and internal cohesion, the coalition argued that genuine unity could not be achieved through exclusion.

It said any consensus arrangement should be based on broad consultation, mutual consent, fairness and respect for legitimate stakeholders, rather than being imposed without adequate engagement with aspirants who had invested resources and political structures in the party.

The group further argued that the absence of transparent primaries deprived aspirants of the opportunity to test their popularity among party members and left some supporters feeling excluded from a process in which they had invested considerable time and energy.

The coalition therefore appealed to the APC national leadership to review the process, hear the concerns of affected aspirants and establish a reconciliation mechanism to address issues arising from the unity list.

The coalition also highlighted the political and grassroots activities of the aspirants before the candidate-selection exercise.

It noted that the APC Is currently the opposition party in Oyo State and said sustaining the party’s presence had required organisation, sacrifice and continuous engagement with voters and communities.

According to the communique, the aspirants had undertaken activities including empowerment programmes, educational support, healthcare interventions, youth and women development initiatives, agricultural assistance, community projects and direct assistance to vulnerable residents.

The group said the aspirants had also invested personal resources in party mobilisation, membership development, ward-level organisation and voter engagement, while developing relationships with traditional institutions, community leaders, religious organisations, professional associations, youth and women groups, artisans and farmers.

The coalition described the political structures controlled by the aspirants as an important component of the APC’s grassroots organisation in the state.

It said the aspirants command networks of coordinators, volunteers, supporters and community influencers and argued that their continued participation would be important to the party’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.

The coalition further maintained that no candidate, regardless of how he or she emerged, could secure electoral victory without the support of other stakeholders within the constituency.

It consequently called for reconciliation that goes beyond ceremonial meetings and public appearances, insisting that the contributions of aspirants and their supporters should be recognised and that they should be given meaningful roles in the party’s campaign and governance plans.

Despite its grievances, the coalition said it was not threatening to leave the APC, reaffirming loyalty to the party and expressed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.

They said their continued support for the APC included backing programmes and policies aimed at national development, economic recovery, security and improved living conditions for Nigerians.

The group also rejected any interpretation of its position as rebellion or disloyalty, arguing that party members had a responsibility to raise concerns when internal decisions, in their view, threatened party unity, public confidence or electoral prospects.

“We remain within the APC and are prepared to work for its victory,” the coalition stated, while insisting that party unity should be based on justice, consultation, mutual respect and genuine reconciliation.

The coalition set out a series of demands and recommendations for resolving the dispute.

Among them is a rejection of the suggestion that a unity list prepared without adequate consultation could, by itself, represent the collective will of party members and stakeholders in the affected constituencies.

The aspirants called on the APC national leadership to initiate an impartial review of the candidate-selection process in Oyo State and give affected aspirants an opportunity to present their concerns.

They also requested that where consensus is considered necessary, it should be achieved through transparent engagement and the voluntary agreement of the aspirants concerned.

Another major demand is the establishment of a high-level reconciliation committee comprising respected national and state party leaders acceptable to all sides.

The coalition further urged the party leadership to recognise the investments, grassroots structures and political contributions of all aspirants and integrate them meaningfully into the party’s strategy for the 2027 elections.

At the same time, it appealed to its supporters across Oyo State to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while the matter is addressed through the appropriate party channels.

The final page of the communique lists nine members of the coalition. They are Hon. Engr. Tunde Bello (“ETB”), Hon. Engr. Sanusi Ridwan (“STRIKAH”), Hon. Ibrahim Lasisi (OJASOPE), Hon. Saheed Oladele, Hon. Bakare Nurudeen, Hon. Ganiyat Olawore Omookurun, Hon. Idowu Adesokan, Hon. Ishaq Morufat Ajibola and Hon. Nureni Adesina Abd Salam.

In its concluding position, the coalition said the APC has an opportunity to improve its electoral fortunes in Oyo State in 2027, but argued that achieving this would require fairness, inclusion and the mobilisation of all genuine stakeholders.

It maintained that the strength of the party should not be measured only by the names that eventually appear on the ballot but also by the contributions of aspirants, party executives, ward leaders, members, volunteers and supporters.

The group urged the APC leadership to treat the grievances of the aspirants seriously, arguing that justice and reconciliation could restore confidence among party members and provide a basis for greater cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.

The coalition added by reiterating its commitment to the APC and President Tinubu, while stressing that, in its view, lasting unity must be founded on justice, fairness, inclusion and respect for the sacrifices of party stakeholders. (The Nation)

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