Ibadan North Bye-Election Crisis Deepens as APC Aspirants Reject Alleged Imposed Candidate

A fresh wave of internal conflict has hit the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following strong opposition from several aspirants over the party’s reported choice of candidate for the upcoming bye-election in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency.

LMSINT MEDIA confirms that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the bye-election for Saturday, 16th August 2025. The election was necessitated by the unfortunate demise of Hon. Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi, a second-term APC lawmaker who passed away in July 2024.

In a recent development, APC leadership announced Adewale Olatunji as the party’s official flagbearer for the bye-election. However, this decision has not been received well by all stakeholders within the party.

Several aspirants within the APC, speaking under the platform of the United Ibadan North Federal Constituency Aspirants Forum, have publicly rejected Olatunji’s candidacy, citing procedural irregularities and a breach of internal party democracy. During a press briefing held on Monday in Ibadan, at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Iyayanku, the aspirants collectively condemned the process and issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the party’s national secretariat to address the issue.

Saheed Aderounmu, who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved aspirants, described the move as a direct violation of democratic values and party constitution. According to him, there was no transparent primary election or fair process that led to the emergence of Olatunji, rendering the nomination illegitimate and unjust.

“Any attempt by the party hierarchy to impose Mr. Adewale Olatunji without allowing due process will not only undermine the party’s integrity but will also have adverse consequences,” Aderounmu stated firmly.

The group further called on critical stakeholders—including the National Working Committee (NWC), The Presidency, and other senior party figures—to urgently intervene before the situation escalates beyond control.

Aderounmu added that if the imposed nomination is not withdrawn or reviewed within 48 hours, the fallout from the imposition should be blamed squarely on the party’s national leadership.

“We, the genuine aspirants of Ibadan North, firmly oppose the imposition of Adewale Olatunji as our candidate. This imposition is not only unacceptable but completely violates the foundation of internal democracy. The people of Ibadan North Federal Constituency deserve a candidate chosen through a transparent and participatory process.”

The forum emphasized that the APC’s decision not to conduct a credible primary election has eroded confidence in the internal electoral process, warning that continuing on such a path could fracture party unity and reduce its chances at the polls.

As of the time of filing this report, the APC national secretariat has not issued a formal response to the demands of the aspirants.