A fresh crisis has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State after an aggrieved House of Representatives aspirant, Hon. Ismail Adewoyin, accused the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Tajudeen Kareem, of benefiting from what he described as a flawed and unlawful candidate selection process for the 2027 general election.
In a detailed statement titled “Tajudeen Kareem and the Case of a Stolen Ticket,”and made available to 𝗜𝗧𝗩 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 ,Adewoyin maintained that he was the party’s consensus candidate for the Saki West/Saki East/Atisbo Federal Constituency but alleged that his mandate was later reversed under questionable circumstances.
Adewoyin said his intervention was intended to encourage internal reforms within the APC rather than attack individuals.
“This is my first official response regarding our party’s process for producing candidates for the 2027 general elections. My intention is to provide constructive observations for the leadership of our great party to consider,” he stated.
He warned supporters of the incumbent against personal attacks, insisting that any response to his allegations should come directly from Kareem.
The APC chieftain traced his involvement in progressive politics to the late 1970s during the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) era before becoming active in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the June 12 political struggle.
He said he had remained committed to the progressive movement through the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), and now the APC.
Adewoyin also highlighted his professional career as an Estate Surveyor and Valuer spanning over two decades, saying he had invested substantial personal resources in community development, youth empowerment and political mobilisation across Oke-Ogun.
According to him, he had supported the APC’s electoral victories since 2011 at his polling unit while serving in several community organisations, including the Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum and the Saki Parapo Association.
Adewoyin described his aspiration for the House of Representatives as legitimate, saying years of political service and grassroots engagement qualified him for the position.
He disclosed that , before declaring his ambition, he undertook extensive consultations with party leaders in Abuja and presented policy ideas to The Progressive Institute, the APC’s policy arm.
He further revealed that ,he personally funded a two-day leadership training programme for APC graduate youths across the 32 wards in the constituency.
The aspirant said his emergence on the party’s initial consensus list surprised many politicians.
“My response has always been simple: it was by the grace of God,” he said.
He dismissed suggestions that powerful political figures influenced his emergence.
Adewoyin argued that one of the factors that worked in his favour was what he described as widespread dissatisfaction with the performance of the incumbent lawmaker.
According to him, many constituents believe Kareem has become disconnected from grassroots politics, citing what he described as inadequate empowerment programmes, limited constituency projects and unfinished infrastructure initiatives.
He also criticised the lawmaker’s reported ₦1 million donation during the Beere Festival, saying many constituents did not consider it reflective of the expectations of a federal legislator seeking another term.
Adewoyin alleged that the APC House of Representatives primary election never took place.
According to him, after aspirants completed screening in Abuja, discussions were held at the APC State Secretariat in Ibadan on adopting a consensus arrangement to be ratified through a primary election.
He alleged that the exercise became impossible after party membership cards meant for accreditation were allegedly seized and destroyed during unrest at the secretariat.
Despite a new date being fixed for the primary, Adewoyin claimed that neither officials of the APC National or State Election Committee nor officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) appeared at the designated venue in Saki.
“No primary election was conducted at the designated venue or, to the best of my knowledge and belief, anywhere within the constituency,” he alleged.
He said it was therefore surprising that Kareem later declared himself winner of the exercise.
Adewoyin added that he and other aspirants subsequently addressed a joint press conference rejecting what they described as the purported primary election.
“I am unable to comprehend the basis upon which Tajudeen Kareem’s name was included in the purported final list of candidates, notwithstanding the fact that no valid, lawful, transparent or duly monitored primary election was conducted”
The APC chieftain further alleged that ,Kareem had earlier pursued the Oyo North Senatorial ticket and encouraged other aspirants to prepare for the House of Representatives race before the political situation changed.
According to him, events following the release of the consensus list led to what he described as the reversal of his mandate.
“I therefore consider myself the rightful consensus candidate whose ticket was unjustly taken away,” he declared.
Adewoyin vowed to continue seeking redress through lawful mechanisms within the APC.
“As a loyal member of the APC, I will continue to pursue every legitimate and lawful avenue available to seek justice within our party,” he said.
He added that if Kareem eventually remains the party’s candidate, the electorate in Saki West, Saki East and Atisbo Federal Constituency would have the final say.
“History will always remember those who stand for justice, fairness and the collective interest of the people above personal ambition.”