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New details continue to emerge from the controversial All Progressives Congress primaries in Osun State, with party insiders alleging that previous plans to impose Olufemi Oyetola, son of former governor and current Minister of Maritime Affairs and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, as candidate for Osun Central Senatorial District reportedly failed after resistance from influential party leaders and elders.
The primaries, which continue to stir controversy among the Osun APC, were described by some members as a highly manipulated process and allegedly designed from the start to favor certain interests within the party hierarchy.
According to reports circulating in APC circles, the alleged arrangement was expected to produce Femi Oyetola as the consensus candidate for the senatorial district before opposition reportedly emerged from senior stakeholders who insisted that the party must respect previous political understandings and presidential directives regarding the return of MPs and defectors.
Sources within the party claimed that the minister allegedly contacted prominent elders believed to have influence within the APC structure, in a bid to garner support for his son’s emergence.
However, the elders reportedly rejected the move and allegedly reminded party leaders that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that MPs and political defectors joining the APC should be accommodated with return tickets.
An APC chieftain in Osogbo, who spoke anonymously, alleged that resistance from elders thwarted the initial plan.
“Many leaders feel it will cause serious problems if the party ignores people who have been promised political patronage just to fulfill personal ambitions,” the source said.
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“The feeling is that the party cannot preach unity publicly while allegedly plotting coercion privately.”
Following reports of the breakdown of the agreement, tensions were said to be rising within the APC, with allegations that forces loyal to the minister then shifted support to another candidate, Adegoke Rasheed, known as KRAD.
Party insiders alleged that the minister met members of the Abuja principal committee shortly after they arrived in Osun, where support allegedly shifted to KRAD following the withdrawal of Femi Oyetola from the race.
Although no official confirmation of the meeting has been made public, the allegations continue to fuel speculation and deepen distrust among party supporters.
Other members of the APC in Olorunda alleged that events surrounding the primaries exposed deeper internal divisions within the Osun APC.
“What happened is beyond ordinary politics,” the source claimed.
“Many people allegedly saw a desperate attempt to control the structure ahead of the upcoming elections. When the first plan reportedly failed, another strategy quickly emerged.”
Previous public reports confirmed that Olufemi Oyetola eventually withdrew from the race, citing consultation and intervention by party leaders in the interest of unity within the APC.
However, many members continue to question the circumstances surrounding his resignation and the final outcome of the primary election.
An APC youth leader in Osogbo has alleged that the entire process has left many of his loyal members disillusioned.
“The public is angry because they believe the process was manipulated from start to finish,” he said.
“Party members want to choose freely, not candidates imposed from above.”
The controversy has also revived concerns regarding coercion, selective treatment and increasing factional supremacy within the Osun APC ahead of future gubernatorial and general elections.
Other party supporters warned that failure to manage the crisis carefully could weaken the party’s cohesion in Osun Central and beyond.
“There are already suspicions everywhere,” the source said.
“Many supporters feel the interests of some powerful individuals are starting to override the wishes of ordinary party members. If this continues, this could lead to serious rifts within the APC before 2027.”
