A political crisis is brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area of Ibadan, Oyo State, as several party chieftains have openly rejected the inauguration of a local government party chairman, alleging imposition and disregard for the outcome of the party congress.
The development followed the recent inauguration of local government party chairmen across the state by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress. During the exercise, Mr. Olusola Adekanbi was inaugurated as the party chairman for Ibadan North-West, a move that has sparked strong opposition from some stakeholders within the party.
The aggrieved party leaders insist that Mr. Rahmon Ojuolape remains the legitimate chairman of the party in the local government, maintaining that he emerged through a duly conducted congress supervised by authorised officials and monitored by security agencies and representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the protesting chieftains, the congress that produced Ojuolape was supervised by Mr. Ajuwon Yusuff and Mr. Olaitan Petter, who were said to have been assigned to oversee the exercise in Ibadan North-West.
The leaders further alleged that a faction within the party led by Alhaji Adewolu Oluokun allegedly manipulated the party structure to favour a minority group, resulting in the controversial inauguration of another chairman.
In a protest letter made available to journalists, the aggrieved stakeholders warned that the development could threaten the unity and electoral prospects of the party if not urgently addressed.
The letter was jointly signed by notable party figures including Alhaji Biodun Adeleye, Alhaji Jelili Asukuna, Apostle Dada, Chief Segun Adeleke, Hon. Tajudeen Adelabu, Hon. Z.O. Adeosun, Elder Obisesan and Hon. Bolanle Gbadamosi, among others.
They also raised concerns over alleged irregularities in several wards, particularly Wards 2, 3, 4, 7 and 11, where they claimed multiple lists of executives were submitted. According to them, rather than harmonising the lists to ensure fairness, certain leaders allegedly endorsed the minority list, a decision they described as undemocratic.
The aggrieved chieftains therefore called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State to urgently investigate the matter, resolve the disputed ward issues and ensure that justice is done in order to maintain peace and unity within the party.
They also warned that failure to address the issue may lead to the suspension of party meetings and activities in the affected wards and within the local government.
Reacting to the controversy, the Oyo State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Wasiu Olawale Sadare, said the party leadership had just been informed about the allegations and would look into the matter before issuing an official statement.
The unfolding situation has further exposed internal tensions within the APC in Ibadan North-West, with political observers noting that how the party manages the crisis may determine its strength ahead of future electoral contests.
