Faisal Salisu Dambatta
Some aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, on Thursday, staged protest over alleged imposition of candidates ahead of 2027 general elections.
The protesters, who besieged the party secretariat at Oke-Ado in Ibadan South East Local Government Area of the state, during the party’s leadership and stakeholders’ meeting with the aspirants, cautioned the APC leadership against monetary influence in the selection of candidates.
They submitted that such steps had worked against the party in the past with reference to the 2023 general elections, adding that rather than imposing candidates on the membership, the leadership should provide a level playing ground for all the aspirants through the conduct of free, fair and credible primaries.
Confirming the protest in Ibadan, the state capital, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Olawale Sadare, said, “The protesters were sponsored to disrupt the existing peace that the party is enjoying.
“The hoodlums who reportedly unleashed terror on members of the state executive committee, staff and others who were present at the Secretariat, were armed with weapons and charms as they came in high numbers to carry out their nefarious acts.
“The attacks, which lasted for about two hours, left in its wake damage to private cars and the Secretariat building as windshield, tyres, office windows, doors among other things were shattered.
“It was a case of sponsored attacks by some disgruntled elements but we are glad that no life was lost in the unprovoked attacks. We have reported it to the security agents and I am aware that investigations have already begun. That is all I can say for now.”
