The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been urged to uphold internal democracy, transparency, fairness, and justice to avoid a brewing crisis in the Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency of Osun State.
The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) gave the advice at a press conference in Lagos, following the party's primary election in the constituency. The group raised an alarm over alleged plans to alter the victory of Mr. Basheer Adegboyega Bello (BABS) and impose another aspirant against the will of the people.
Call for disciplinary action
The Executive Director of the rights group, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, recommended appropriate disciplinary and legal actions against all party members or collaborators found culpable in acts of fraud, manipulation, or anti-party conduct in the area. He noted that failure to address this might bring the party into disrepute ahead of the 2027 general election.
He also urged the party to uphold the principles of internal democracy, transparency, fairness, and justice upon which the APC was founded.
Allegations of manipulation
Isiak stated: “This press conference has become necessary following disturbing developments surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Boripe/Ifelodun/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency of Osun State and the alleged attempts by certain influential individuals to manipulate the outcome of the exercise against the democratic will of party delegates.
“We have received credible reports indicating that Mr. Basheer Adegboyega Bello (BABS) emerged as the lawful and authentic winner of the APC primary election based on the valid votes cast during the exercise. However, it is deeply disturbing that there are alleged efforts to unlawfully alter the outcome and impose another aspirant, Mr. Eniade Francis Olwadamilare, despite serious allegations surrounding the authenticity of credentials submitted by him.”
He said the organisation is alarmed that instead of allowing transparency, fairness, and party supremacy to prevail, certain vested interests are allegedly attempting to suppress the truth, compromise internal democratic procedures, and impose a candidate whose qualification remains legally questionable.
“Such actions, if allowed to stand, would not only undermine the integrity and credibility of the APC but also erode public confidence in democratic institutions and internal party processes.
“In view of the foregoing, we respectfully urge the National Leadership of the APC to officially recognise and declare Basheer Adegboyega Bello (BABS) as the lawful winner of the APC primary election for Boripe/Ifelodun/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency; and also reject and nullify any manipulated, altered, or fraudulently procured result intended to substitute the authentic outcome of the primary election.”
