Kwara monarchs cautioned over disputed Reps primary

The Kwara South Development Advocates has cautioned traditional rulers in the region against endorsing any aspirant in the ongoing dispute over the All Progressives Congress’ House of Representatives primary for the Ekiti/Irepodun/Isin/Oke Ero Federal Constituency, insisting that the controversy remains subject to an appeal.

The group alleged that some individuals were mobilising traditional rulers to validate the claim that a particular aspirant won the primary election despite a pending appeal challenging the announced outcome.

In a statement issued by its Coordinator, Dada Jayeola, on Thursday, the group maintained that the announced result did not reflect the true outcome of the exercise, alleging that no primary election was conducted in Ekiti Local Government Area despite the circulation of a video purportedly showing election results from the area.

According to the group, any attempt to present the disputed outcome as final while an appeal is pending is premature and capable of misleading stakeholders.

“The disputed result does not reflect the true will of the people. We are aware that no primary election was conducted in Ekiti Local Government Area, even though a video was released purporting to show outcomes from a location where no election actually took place,” the statement read in part.

It continued, “It is morally wrong to use our revered traditional rulers for political gains. The ongoing appeal regarding the candidate who will eventually represent the federal constituency should be allowed to run its course without attempts to influence public perception through royal endorsements.

“There is already an appeal pending against the announced candidate. Any claims of victory being made at this stage are premature and without merit. Everyone should allow the party’s internal processes to reach their logical conclusion.”

The group disclosed that following the conduct of the APC primary election, an appeal had been lodged before the appropriate party authorities seeking a review of the declared outcome.

It argued that the appeal and recommendations already submitted should guide the party’s final decision on the candidate for the constituency, insisting that Dr. Toba Oloyede emerged as the authentic winner of the primary election and should be formally recognised by the party.

“On the strength of these facts, we are unequivocal that Dr. Toba Oloyede is the authentic winner of the primaries, and the party’s own records bear this out,” the group’s statement declared.

“He has now secured the mandate of the people not once but twice, first through the indirect primaries of 2022 and again through the direct primaries of 2026,” it maintained.

The group further claimed that Oloyede enjoys widespread acceptance across the four local government areas that make up the federal constituency, arguing that recognising his alleged victory would strengthen APC’s electoral prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the statement, “A candidate with Dr. Toba Oloyede’s level of cross-constituency acceptance does not merely win his own election; he drives voter turnout that benefits the party’s entire ticket. Ignoring such a mandate risks weakening support across all levels of the ballot in 2027.

“Having asked members to trust the direct primary process in 2026, the party cannot now treat the outcome of that same process as negotiable without undermining confidence in the system it established.”

The group, therefore, urged the APC leadership to ratify what it described as Oloyede’s victory without further delay while appealing to the traditional council to remain neutral until the party concludes its appeal process.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the APC youths in Ekiti Local Government Area declared its support for the member representing Ekiti/Oke-Ero/Isin/Irepodun Federal Constituency, Hon. Olawuyi Abdulraheem Ajuloopin, for another term in the House of Representatives.

In a statement signed by the Ekiti APC youth coordinators Adewumi Emmanuel and Busayo David, the group said the endorsement reflected the collective decision of APC youths across the 10 wards in the local government.

The youth leaders attributed their support to Ajuloopin’s performance in office, accessibility and constituency projects, saying his representation had delivered visible development through infrastructure, empowerment programmes, educational support and youth-focused initiatives.

They expressed confidence that another term would consolidate the gains already recorded and create more employment opportunities and people-oriented projects.

The group also appealed to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to consider Ekiti Local Government for the office of deputy governor when the opportunity arises, describing the area as deserving of greater political inclusion.

It reaffirmed its commitment to mobilising support for Ajuloopin and the APC ahead of future elections, adding that it would demonstrate its solidarity through a rally in the coming days.