Party Leaders Ask Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to Review Candidate Choice
A group of influential stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has appealed to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to intervene in the controversy surrounding the party’s candidate for the Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Trending political news reveal that the party members argued that the individual eventually declared as the APC candidate was not the rightful winner of the primary election conducted on May 16, 2026, urging the governor to facilitate a review of the decision.
Open Letter Raises Concerns Over Primary Election Outcome
The appeal was contained in an open letter submitted to Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq by APC leaders and elected officials from Ekiti and Oke-Ero Local Government Areas.
Among those who endorsed the petition were Elder Ajibola Ayoola, James Kayode Bamidele, Awelewa Olawale, Kayode Towoju, and O.J. Adeseko, all of whom maintained that the integrity of the party’s internal democratic process should be protected.
The stakeholders stated that their request was driven by a commitment to fairness, justice and unity within the APC.
Stakeholders Insist Abolarin Ganiyu Won the Primary
According to the petitioners, documents attached to their letter contain what they described as the official result of the party’s primary election.
They claimed the figures showed Abolarin Ganiyu secured 17,128 votes, comfortably finishing ahead of other aspirants. In contrast, they alleged that the incumbent federal lawmaker, Raheem Tunji Olawuyi, popularly known as Ajuloopin, received 2,978 votes.
The stakeholders questioned why the final outcome differed from what they described as the original results, insisting that the candidate who emerged from the primary should be recognised by the party.
According to Gossip News Now, the petitioners argued that restoring the declared winner of the primary would reinforce confidence in the APC’s internal democratic process.
Concerns Over Political Representation
Beyond the disagreement over the primary election, the stakeholders also expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as a long-standing imbalance in political representation within the federal constituency.
They noted that since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, the House of Representatives seat has consistently been occupied by politicians from Irepodun or Isin Local Government Areas.
The petition listed former and current representatives, including Bashir Bola Oni, Peter Gbenga Makanjuola, Akeem Olayinka Hakeem, the late Olufunke Adedoyin, and Raheem Tunji Olawuyi, arguing that neither Ekiti nor Oke-Ero has produced a representative despite their combined electoral strength.
Appeal for Fairness and Inclusiveness
The petitioners maintained that Ekiti and Oke-Ero together account for 20 of the constituency’s 42 wards, making their continued exclusion from representation difficult to justify.
They further claimed that Irepodun Local Government Area has occupied the House of Representatives seat for roughly 26 years, while Omu-Aran, despite having only a small share of the constituency’s wards, has produced lawmakers for almost 24 years.
For that reason, they urged Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to engage the national leadership of the APC and encourage a review of the party’s decision in the interest of justice, equity and party cohesion.
Analysis: APC Faces Internal Test Before 2027 Elections
The dispute over the Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency ticket highlights the challenges political parties often face after competitive primary elections. Allegations regarding the credibility of candidate selection, if not properly addressed, can create divisions that may affect party unity ahead of a major election.
For the Kwara APC, resolving the concerns raised by stakeholders could prove important in maintaining confidence among party members. Whether the leadership decides to revisit the matter or uphold its current decision may significantly influence grassroots support as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
