Oyo APC crisis deepens as reconciliation meeting ends in brawl

The crisis within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened on October 5 after a reconciliation meeting involving supporters of two rival aspirants in the Oluyole Federal Constituency ended in a physical confrontation.

The meeting, scheduled to take place at Olomi School II, was intended to bring together loyalists of Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, the APC candidate for the Oluyole Federal Constituency, and Gbolagade Abiodun, who is widely regarded by his supporters as the winner of the party’s primary election.

However, tensions reportedly escalated before the meeting could commence, resulting in a brawl involving supporters of the two camps. The confrontation reportedly left some individuals injured and further exposed the divisions that have persisted within the party since the primary.

Both sides have, however, denied involvement in the altercation.

The incident comes amid ongoing efforts to prevent the dispute over the party’s ticket from weakening the APC’s chances in Oluyole ahead of the 2027 general elections. As part of the reconciliation efforts, Abiodun was appointed to the APC Campaign Council in Oluyole Local Government Area, in an apparent attempt to bring his supporters into the party’s campaign structure.

Akande-Sadipe, the incumbent representing Oluyole Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is seeking to retain the seat under the APC. She faces competition from Akeem Olatunji of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), who currently serves as chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area.

The latest confrontation has raised concerns over whether the party can successfully reconcile the rival camps before the 2027 election campaign gathers momentum.

The Sadipe camp has distanced itself from the reported violence, stressing the need for unity within the party. In a statement circulated by an Oyo APC account, the group said the disagreements arising from the primary should no longer define the party’s future in Oluyole.

“The post-primary saga tested our patience, but it must not define our future,” the statement said, calling on party members to put their differences aside and rebuild the party.

The statement further urged leaders, stakeholders, youths, women and other members to work together toward a stronger APC in the constituency.

It declared: “No more war. No more division. No more unnecessary distractions,” while emphasising that “Oluyole is one” and “Oluyole is united.”

The statement is being presented by the Sadipe camp as part of its denial of involvement in the incident and its appeal for peace following the reported confrontation.

The dispute in Oluyole is also occurring against the backdrop of wider disagreements within the Oyo APC over the process for selecting candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party’s adoption of consensus candidates in parts of the state has generated tensions among aspirants and their supporters, with some politicians reportedly dissatisfied with the arrangements. At the governorship level, former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu remains one of the prominent figures whose support is being sought by party stakeholders for Sharafadeen Alli, the APC’s preferred governorship candidate.

The continued lobbying of prominent aspirants and the disagreements surrounding the consensus arrangement indicate that efforts to project unity within the Oyo APC have not completely resolved competing interests ahead of the 2027 elections.

For the party, the challenge now extends beyond resolving the immediate dispute in Oluyole. It must also prevent lingering disagreements over the primaries and candidate selection from turning into open divisions that could affect its electoral prospects across the state.

No spam, notifications only about new products, updates.