APC House of Reps Aspirant Petitions Gov AbdulRazaq, Alleges Irregularities in Ilorin East/South Primary

 

A House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Ilorin East/Ilorin South Federal Constituency, Amb. Ibrahim Tajudeen Shola (Olesin), PhD, has submitted a petition to the Governor of Kwara State and Leader of the APC in the state, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct of the party’s primary election for the constituency.

In the letter, which was also copied to the APC State Chairman and the Kwara State APC Reconciliation Committee, the aspirant recounted his experience before and during the primary election, stating that he remained committed to the ideals of the APC despite his grievances.

According to Olesin, he invested considerable financial resources, time, and effort into his aspiration, including purchasing the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms, consulting widely with stakeholders, and mobilising support across the constituency in line with the party’s guidelines.

He further stated that he made several attempts to meet with Governor AbdulRazaq to present his aspiration and seek guidance but was unable to secure an audience throughout the process.

The former aspirant alleged that on the day scheduled for the direct primary election, when party members had gathered and preparations for voting had been completed, some political leaders invited him to a meeting where he was informed that the governor had a preferred aspirant for the ticket.

Olesin argued that while political leaders have the right to support candidates of their choice, any such preference should be pursued within the provisions of the APC Constitution and the guidelines governing the conduct of primary elections.

He maintained that introducing discussions aimed at replacing the direct primary process after party members had assembled to vote was inconsistent with the principles of internal democracy. According to him, the primary election was eventually halted and the governor’s alleged preferred aspirant was announced as the party’s candidate.

The aspirant stated that his disappointment was not primarily about the outcome of the contest but about what he described as the process that denied party members the opportunity to freely elect their preferred candidate.

He also maintained that he did not consider the events as representing the collective position of the APC, stressing that the party is founded on constitutionalism, fairness, internal democracy, and equal opportunity.

While acknowledging the efforts of the Kwara State APC Reconciliation Committee, Olesin expressed hope that the committee would address the concerns raised by aggrieved members and strengthen unity within the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He urged the committee to conduct its assignment with fairness, courage, and impartiality to restore confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes.

The petition comes as the Kwara APC continues reconciliation efforts following the conclusion of its primary elections across the state.

— The Crown Online TV