Concerned stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have called on the Presidency and the party’s national leadership to urgently intervene in the escalating internal crisis within the state chapter, warning that unresolved grievances could trigger defections and weaken the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The appeal was made on Monday during a stakeholders’ congress held in Ibadan, where party members expressed deep concerns over alleged attempts to impose a consensus governorship candidate on the party structure. The stakeholders also vowed to resist any form of imposition, insisting that internal democracy must be strictly upheld.
Tensions within the party heightened following the reported endorsement of Senator Sharafadeen Alli of Oyo South, a development some members allege has the backing of influential forces at the national level. The move, according to aggrieved stakeholders, risks deepening divisions and undermining the party’s chances in future elections.
Speaking at the congress, several party youths and stakeholders warned that the APC in Oyo State could suffer a repeat of its 2023 electoral setback if urgent steps are not taken to reconcile aggrieved members and promote inclusiveness.
“We are calling on the Presidency and the national leadership of our great party to step in immediately. The unity of the APC in Oyo State is under threat,” one of the stakeholders, Wole Adewale, said.
Another stakeholder, Akenleye Oluwasegun, emphasized the need for fairness and consultation in candidate selection, stressing that the party cannot afford internal disunity.
Femi Awogboro also echoed similar concerns, urging leaders to respect the will of party members and avoid actions that could lead to further polarization.
In their separate remarks, Akeem Atoyose, Kunle Kolawole, and Saheed Olayiwola reaffirmed their commitment to internal democracy, warning that any attempt to sideline stakeholders could have serious political consequences for the party.
They further called for appropriate sanctions against individuals allegedly working against the collective interest of the party, insisting that loyalty and discipline remain key to reclaiming political power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The stakeholders cautioned that the APC must learn from past electoral experiences, noting that the party’s 2023 defeat was largely attributed to internal divisions and lack of cohesion.
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of the next general election cycle, observers say the unfolding developments in the Oyo APC underscore the growing importance of consensus-building and internal reconciliation in determining the party’s future electoral fortunes.