Oyo APC Crisis Deepens as Party Members Protest National Assembly Candidate List, Demand Recognition of Gbolagade.
Fresh tensions have emerged within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following protests by aggrieved party members over the National Assembly candidate list, with demonstrators demanding the formal recognition of Abiodun Gbolagade as the party’s candidate for the Oluyole Federal Constituency.
The protesters, who gathered to express dissatisfaction with the party’s handling of the constituency’s candidacy, insisted that Gbolagade remains the legitimate APC flag bearer for the federal constituency. They argued that any attempt to alter or disregard his candidacy would undermine internal democratic processes and the wishes of party stakeholders in the constituency.
The demonstration reflects growing concerns among some APC members over candidate selection and internal party administration ahead of future electoral activities. Protesters called on the national leadership of the APC and relevant electoral authorities to uphold what they described as the authentic outcome of the party’s nomination process for the Oluyole Federal Constituency.
Although the party’s official National Assembly list has not been amended, the aggrieved members maintained that Gbolagade’s candidacy should be affirmed, warning that unresolved disputes could affect party cohesion and grassroots mobilization in Oyo State.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC had not issued a fresh official statement addressing the latest protest. Political observers note that internal disagreements over candidate selection remain a recurring challenge for major political parties in Nigeria, often requiring intervention from party leadership or the courts before final resolution.
The development adds to ongoing conversations about transparency, internal democracy, and conflict resolution within political parties as stakeholders prepare for future electoral contests.