A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Akeem Agbaje, has taken a strong swipe at supporters of Adebayo Adelabu following recent political developments within the party, describing attempts to project a preferred governorship candidate as “comical” and unacceptable to loyal APC members in the state.
Speaking during an interview on Fresh FM Nigeria in Ibadan, Agbaje criticized what he described as a growing culture of political imposition within the party, warning that no individual or group could dictate to party members from Abuja and expect automatic acceptance in Oyo State politics.
“You cannot sit in your office in Abuja and expect to direct people to declare your candidates as the APC candidate in Oyo State,” Agbaje stated firmly during the live radio programme, setting the tone for what became a blunt criticism of the alleged moves to force a consensus candidate on the party.
Reacting to events that reportedly transpired in Ibadan a day earlier, Agbaje said the situation was more amusing than intimidating. “What happened was actually comical,” he said. “It is a continuation of a scenario of trying to force a candidate on other members of the party, forcing an opinion of a candidate on other members of the APC.”
The lawyer-politician lamented that the party had endured similar internal political struggles for years and warned against repeating old mistakes ahead of the next electoral cycle. “We have suffered enough since 2013,” he declared. “Every loyal party member knows we don’t need that kind of comical event again.”
Agbaje, however, maintained that many members of the party remain calm and resolute despite rumours circulating across political circles. According to him, there is no official position yet from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding any anointed candidate for the Oyo governorship race.
“We are steadfast and resolute because we are aware that the President of the nation has not said anything,” he explained. “People are carrying rumours that he has chosen a candidate just to deceive people and say, ‘Oh, this is what the President said.’”
Drawing parallels with past APC primary contests, Agbaje referenced the 2019 political experience within the party to support his argument against premature endorsements and political propaganda. “Even in 2019, they said Buhari chose a candidate,” he recalled. “But Asiwaju contested the primaries and won. So people should stop trying to manipulate party members with rumours.”
Speaking further on the issue of consensus arrangements within the APC, Agbaje stressed that the party already has a constitutionally recognised process for producing candidates and that no aspirant should bypass laid-down democratic procedures.
“The national chairman said it clearly on national television,” he noted. “APC has two processes. One is consensus candidate, where every other aspirant agrees to the candidate. If that fails, you go for primaries.”
According to him, the current tension within the Oyo APC stems from attempts by certain political actors to bypass those processes and impose their preferences on the party structure. “People think they can play on the intelligence of everyone, but it is not possible,” Agbaje said. “They think they can just sit in Abuja and appoint any candidate, and I still see it as a comical event.”
During the interview, the presenter suggested that some individuals were already referring to certain aspirants as “the father’s candidate,” a phrase often interpreted in political circles as implying endorsement by influential power brokers. Responding cautiously, Agbaje implied that the events in Ibadan appeared designed to create that impression among party supporters and the public.
Observers within the Oyo APC believe the latest comments may further deepen the growing rivalry among governorship hopefuls ahead of the party’s future primaries. The struggle for control of the APC structure in the state has continued to generate intense debate among stakeholders, especially between camps loyal to different political interests.
Despite the tension, Agbaje dismissed suggestions that the recent developments would significantly alter the political direction of the party in Oyo State. “It is not heading anywhere at all,” he concluded confidently, insisting that the ultimate decision on who emerges as APC candidate would be determined through due democratic process and not political intimidation.
His comments have since generated reactions among APC supporters and political observers across Oyo State, with many viewing the Fresh FM interview as one of the clearest indications yet that internal contestations ahead of the governorship race may become more intense in the coming months.
