A fresh wave of discontent has hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Atisbo Local Government of Oyo State, as aggrieved stakeholders reject the outcome of a controversial Excutive selection process.
The dispute follows the recommendation of a 7-man committee which endorsed the incumbent chairman, Hon. Mufutau Adelere Tafa, for another term ahead of Alhaji Lateef Odede Ajemeje. The committee, in its communiqué, cited Tafa’s educational background, administrative experience, grassroots engagement, and leadership performance as key factors behind its decision.
According to the report, Tafa’s track records include previous roles as councillor, supervisory councillor, and acting chairman positions him as a capable and experienced leader. It also credited him with strengthening the party’s structure and delivering electoral victories for the APC in the last general elections within the local government.
The committee concluded that continuity would serve the party’s best interest, noting that the APC constitution permits re-election of office holders deemed to have performed creditably.
However, the decision has sparked outrage among several party stakeholders, who described the process as skewed and lacking transparency. Some members argued that the exercise was a mere formality designed to legitimize a pre-arranged outcome.
Critics also questioned the neutrality of the committee, alleging that its composition compromised fairness. They insisted that the contributions and political weight of Ajemeje were not adequately considered in the final assessment.
Speaking on the development, some stakeholders warned that the outcome could trigger deeper divisions within the party at the grassroots level. They maintained that the process failed to reflect the collective will of party members and undermined internal democracy.
“The credibility of the congress is in doubt. What we witnessed was not a fair contest,” a party member said.
There are growing fears that the controversy, if not urgently addressed, could weaken party unity and affect future electoral prospects in the area.
Aggrieved members are now calling for a review of the exercise, with some demanding a fresh congress, while others advocate for immediate reconciliation efforts to bridge emerging divides.
As the situation unfolds, party leaders are under pressure to intervene and restore confidence among members, amid concerns that unresolved grievances could lead to factionalisation within the Atisbo chapter.
The committee members include Alhaji Muritala Animasaun ,Mr. John Ayandokun ,Hon. Johnson Ayansola ,Alhaji Ibrahim Kaola ,Engr. Mathew Adeniyi ,Alhaji Salaudeen Yunus Alawiye and Alhaji Sanusi Rafiu.
According to them, the aspirants are Hon. Tafa Muftau Adeleke for Chairman, with Adeyemo Peter vying for the position of Vice Chairman. The Secretary role is being contested by Alhaji Kareem Najeem, while Bolaji Sunday seeks the position of Assistant Secretary.
Other notable aspirants include Olasunkanmi Wasiu as Legal Adviser, Ogunwale Ibrahim as Assistant Legal Adviser, Gboyero Elizabeth as Treasurer, and Olaseni Jamiu as Assistant Treasurer. The Financial Secretary slot is being sought by Omilana Rasheed, with Azeez Luqman as Assistant Financial Secretary.
The organizing team positions also have strong contenders: Okegbade Sunday and Ojo Racheal are eyeing the Organizing Secretary and Assistant Organizing Secretary roles, respectively, while Aderonmu Job and Marolasa Taiwo are running for Publicity Secretary and Assistant Publicity Secretary.
For welfare leadership, Olabode Rasaq and Adeniran Ezekiel are in the race, while Asafa Tajudeen and Eniola Muideen are vying for the Auditor and Assistant Auditor positions. Women and youth representation also features prominently, with Olaegbe Bernice and Mustapha Modinat competing for Woman Leader and Assistant Woman Leader, and Iliasu Jelili and Adeniji Kazeem contesting Youth Leader and Assistant Youth Leader positions. Ogunlola Bola is contesting the Special (Physically Challenged) Leader slot.
The ex-officio positions, which play advisory roles in party administration, include Mustapha Sulaiman, Raufu Rasaq, Tijani Folorunso, and Abdulsalam Alimot.