…Warn party of backlash in 2027 elections 

Two groups, under the aegis of the Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun Coalition Support Group for Tinubu 2027 and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youths Integrity Group, have staged a peaceful protest over the announcement of Dr Rafiu Ajakaye as the winner of the party’s primary election for the Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun federal constituency, alleging “imposition of an unpopular and unknown person on the people of the area.”

While briefing journalists after the protest, one of the Constituency leaders, who is also the Chairman of the Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun Coalition Support Group for Tinubu 2027, Hon Wale Abiodun, in conjunction with the Chairman, APC Youths Integrity Group, Hon James Babalola, expressed grave concerns over the alleged imposition, warning the party of backlash if the people’s agitation is ignored.

According to them, Ademola Joseph Bello remains the people’s choice and the most popular among all the aspirants jostling for the federal constituency slot.

“If the State Governor insists that Dr Rafiu Ajakaye should be fielded as the House of Representatives candidate instead of the people’s choice, who is Ademola Joseph Bello, it means the All Progressives Congress (APC) will definitely lose the Federal Constituency to the opposition,” the Coalition Support Group for Tinubu 2027 said

The Chairman, APC Youths Integrity Group, Hon James Babalola, who eulogized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said: “With what our performing President has done in Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun Federal Constituency, we cannot afford not to give him our massive votes but if the State Governor insists on this choice of an unpopular and unknown candidate, be rest assured that we will lose the Federal Constituency to the opposition.

The only saving grace will be to give the people of Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun the rightful and popular aspirant in the person of Ademola Joseph Bello.”

The two groups further called on the National Chairman of the party, whom they described as a man of integrity, to, as a matter of urgency, intervene in this matter, adding that: “We will not allow those leaving the stage to destroy the party for us in Kwara State.”

Meanwhile, the APC Youth Coordinator in Kwara South, AbdulGafar Alawode, alleged that the primary election was marred by imposition rather than a democratic process, claiming that the candidate eventually announced for the Ifelodun/Oyun/Offa federal constituency seat was forced on party members.

“I couldn’t believe it when I started hearing the counting from 1–14, then jumped to 25, 26, 38, 62. What a mockery of democracy,” he said.”