Critical stakeholders in Ibadan North-East Local Government Area have called on the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure transparency and fairness in its upcoming candidate selection process for the 2027 elections. They warned against imposing a candidate without due regard for zoning agreements and internal party democracy. The group, comprising traditional rulers, elders, and party leaders, insisted that the candidate must emerge from a credible, inclusive, and merit-based process. "The people of Ibadan North-East will not accept any imposition or manipulation," said Oba Adetunji Ogunlade, the Oluwo of Iwo-Olufi, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders. He emphasized that the party must respect the consensus of grassroots members and existing power-brokering arrangements within the APC in Oyo State. The stakeholders also urged the APC to avoid a repeat of past internal crises that weakened its electoral performance. They noted that unity and inclusiveness would be critical to retaining public trust and electoral relevance in the area. The APC has not yet issued an official response to the demand.
The Oluwo of Iwo-Olufi is not just speaking as a traditional ruler but as a proxy for deep-seated unease within APC's grassroots in Ibadan North-East. When a party has to be reminded by local elders about basic democratic principles, it signals internal rot, not just succession anxiety. The 2027 race is already becoming a contest of imposition versus consultation, and Oba Ogunlade's statement reveals that the party's base may not rubber-stamp directives from the top. For APC, ignoring this could mean a repeat of previous fractures that cost them votes.
