Crisis Looms in Oyo APC Over Alleged Plot to Handpick Candidate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State is facing fresh internal crisis following allegations that Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, is working behind the scenes to install a preferred candidate in the upcoming bye-election for Ibadan North Federal Constituency.

The tension began to rise after party insiders alleged that Adelabu is collaborating with the APC Delegate Congress Committee to manipulate the selection process ahead of the party’s primary election, which is scheduled for Sunday, July 20. According to these claims, the minister is pushing for Wale Murphy, a former Accord Party member who recently rejoined the APC, to emerge as the party’s candidate.

Murphy’s quick return to the party has angered many long-time members and aspirants who feel sidelined. They accuse party leadership of favoritism and secrecy, saying Murphy’s candidacy is being forced through without due process or fair competition.

Initially, there had been an agreement among the state chapter and aspirants to use a direct primary system to allow full participation by party members. But that decision was reversed by the APC National Secretariat, which imposed an indirect primary method instead. Many local party members see this shift as an attempt to exclude them from the process.

Multiple sources claim that members of the Delegate Congress Committee and the Appeal Committee have been holding meetings at Josephine Hotel in Ikolaba, Ibadan — allegedly under Adelabu’s instructions. The meetings, according to the sources, were used to finalise a delegate list that would favour Murphy.

The situation became more heated on Saturday after a closed-door meeting between the committee, state party executives, and aspirants at the Oke-Ado party secretariat. At the meeting, the committee announced the cancellation of the delegate congress that had been scheduled for that same day. They also revealed that a previously compiled delegate list — whose origin remains unclear to many party officials — would now be used for Sunday’s primary election.

This move has sparked outrage within the party. Several aspirants and party loyalists have described the entire process as being hijacked. One senior party figure, speaking anonymously, alleged that money exchanged hands between Adelabu and members of the delegate committee, further fueling suspicions of a rigged outcome.

The deepening rift has raised concerns about unity within the Oyo APC. Many fear that the imposed candidacy could alienate members and damage the party’s chances in the bye-election.

In response to the crisis, key party stakeholders are calling on President Bola Tinubu and the APC’s national leadership to step in and take immediate action. They are demanding a fair and transparent process where all aspirants have an equal opportunity, warning that continued manipulation could drive loyal members away.

The party now faces a tough test — whether it can resolve the growing dispute quickly or risk internal breakdown ahead of the election.