Kwara APC State Assembly aspirants demand refunds over failed primaries

A coalition of aspirants who contested for the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets for the Kwara State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections has demanded a refund of expenses incurred on nomination forms, campaigns and consultations following what it described as a flawed primary election process.

The coalition made the demand in a statement issued after reviewing the conduct of the party’s House of Assembly primaries and the ongoing reconciliation efforts within the APC in the state.

The statement was jointly signed by the coalition’s Chairman, Hon. Chief Olu Adewara; Co-Chairman (Kwara South), Hon. (Engr.) Kazeem Bukoye; Co-Chairman (Kwara Central), Hon. (Engr.) Sikirullahi Abdulkareem Oladimeji; Co-Chairman (Kwara North), Hon. Muhammad Shaba; Legal Adviser, Hon. Barr. Sulyman Nasir Lekan Alaran; Public Relations Officer, Hon. Suleiman Abdullahi Belle; and Secretary, Hon. Nasiru Arisekola Suleiman.

The coalition alleged that several aspirants were denied participation in the primary election after being declared “uncleared” by the state leadership of the party despite having fulfilled all constitutional and administrative requirements.

According to the group, the affected aspirants purchased nomination forms, participated in the screening exercise and were subsequently cleared by the national leadership of the APC before being excluded from the primaries.

It described the development as a political injustice that denied loyal party members the opportunity to test their popularity before delegates despite years of commitment, sacrifice and financial investment in the APC.

“While remaining committed to the unity and stability of the party, the coalition believes that loyalty should never be rewarded with exclusion and that sacrifice should never be met with political neglect,” the statement read.

The coalition called on the APC leadership to review the circumstances surrounding the alleged exclusion of the affected aspirants and recognise the clearance earlier granted by the party’s national leadership.

It also urged the party to consider suitably qualified members among the affected aspirants for elective opportunities where possible.

The coalition further appealed to the party to compensate those who were not selected by offering them political appointments, campaign leadership positions, membership of boards and commissions, or other responsibilities under the APC administration.

It insisted that aspirants who lost the opportunity to contest should be refunded or fairly compensated with an amount equivalent to, or exceeding, the money spent on nomination forms, campaigns, consultations and other legitimate expenses incurred during the primary process.

“The coalition maintains that its demand is not for favours but for fairness; not for sympathy but for justice; and not for privilege but for the recognition of legitimate rights earned through years of commitment to the APC,” the statement added.

The group, however, commended Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the APC State Working Committee, the Kwara APC Primary Elections Reconciliation Committee and other party leaders for initiating reconciliation efforts.

It expressed optimism that the party leadership would take decisions capable of restoring confidence, strengthening internal democracy and rewarding loyalty among members.

The coalition also urged its members and supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding while the reconciliation process continues, reaffirming its commitment to pursuing its grievances through the APC’s internal mechanisms.