A group of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Oyo State has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene in what they describe as growing internal manipulations threatening the unity and electoral prospects of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In an open letter dated May 13, 2026, and addressed to the President at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, the aspirants expressed concern over what they called “reckless political manoeuvring” and “imposition tactics” allegedly being employed by some individuals within the party’s Oyo State structure.
The signatories, which include former deputy governor Engr. Rauf Aderemi Olaniyan, Dr. Adewale Kolapo Kareem, Prince Musbau Asatola Asanike, Barrister Akeem Agbaje, Engr. Oyedele Hakeem Alao, and Dr. Ololade Usman Bakare, warned that such internal disputes could weaken the APC’s chances in the state if not urgently addressed.
They specifically accused certain aspirants, including Senator Sarafa Alli and others, of engaging in what they termed “manipulation of grassroots perception,” alleging that staged endorsements and arranged gatherings were being used to create a false impression of widespread support.
According to the group, such practices risk repeating what they described as the “mistakes of 2023,” when, they claimed, an imposed candidate contributed to the party’s electoral defeat in Oyo State.
“The party risks another avoidable loss if it fails to learn from past experiences,” the letter stated, adding that internal democracy must not be replaced with “imposition and political scheming.”
The aspirants urged President Tinubu, who also serves as the national leader of the APC, to summon all governorship hopefuls in Oyo State and provide clear directives aimed at restoring discipline and unity within the party.
They further stressed the need for what they described as a “transparent and inclusive consensus process” anchored on merit and the core progressive values of the APC.
“Consensus must not be reduced to manipulation by a sectional group of political actors,” the letter added, warning that continued division could lead to apathy, defections, and weakened grassroots support.
The group also cautioned that unresolved internal conflict could have broader implications for the party’s national image and governance legacy, noting that opposition parties could exploit divisions within APC ranks in Oyo State.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Presidency or the Oyo State APC leadership regarding the allegations contained in the letter.
Political observers say the development highlights ongoing tensions within the APC in several states where governorship ambitions are intensifying ahead of 2027, raising questions about how the party intends to manage internal competition without deepening factional divides.